PART 78
Sienna had her own habits.
She avoided confrontation until resentment built.
She wanted me to notice without being told.
She sometimes tested love through whether I guessed what she needed.
We both had work.
That made reconciliation possible.
Not blame.
Work.
PART 79
Oliver turned one.
Small party.
No Margaret.
My sister came.
Marcus.
Naomi and Claire.
Sienna’s family.
Normal.
I watched Oliver destroy cake with both hands.
Then looked at Sienna.
She smiled.
That moment felt like something I had almost lost without ever knowing it existed.
PART 80
After the party, Sienna found me washing dishes.
She said.
“Ethan.”
“Yes?”
“I think I want to try.”
I froze.
“Try what?”
She rolled her eyes.
“Us.”
My hands stopped.
I turned.
“Are you sure?”
“No.”
I laughed.
She smiled.
“But I want to try.”
That was enough.
PART 81
We moved slowly.
I did not move in immediately.
Three months later.
With agreements.
Therapy continuing.
Financial independence.
Clear boundaries.
No family member had passwords.
No parent had legal access.
No third-party communication during conflict.
That one was almost funny.
We literally wrote it down.
Good.
PART 82
We remarried two years after Oliver’s birth.
Small ceremony.
No giant venue.
No press.
No business people except Marcus.
Oliver wore a tiny suit.
Hated it.
Sienna wore a simple cream dress.
Before the ceremony, she looked at me.
“If this goes badly, we do not let your mother handle the paperwork.”
I laughed so hard I nearly ruined the moment.
Dark humor.
Earned.
PART 83
Our vows were simple.
I said.
“I choose you with full information this time.”
People laughed softly.
Sienna cried.
Then she said.
“I choose you without expecting you to read my mind.”
I laughed.
Perfect.
PART 84
Margaret learned about the remarriage while incarcerated.
She sent one letter.
Congratulations.
I hope this time you protect each other from everyone.
Including me.
I read it twice.
