One night, restless with pain and anxiety, Mary heard William’s voice through the bathroom door. He was on the phone, speaking in hushed tones. The conversation was short, but something about his voice chilled her. There was a softness in it—one he hadn’t used with her in weeks.
“Who is he talking to?” she wondered, her stomach twisting. The next morning, he was gone before she woke up. No note. No explanation.
Mary tried to rationalize it. Maybe he was just overwhelmed. Maybe this was too much for him. After all, she’d read that men often retreat in the face of their wives’ serious illness. But something told her this wasn’t just about fear—it was about choice.