I pulled out the folder with my leave documents, insurance information, and household bills. Near the bottom was our prenup.
Elon and his parents, Eve and Alex, had wanted it before we married.
They’d never treated me badly over it.
Eve had even told me, « Honestly, honey, this protects you too. »
I’d had my own attorney review everything before signing.
« Honestly, honey, this protects you too. »
Afterward, Elon had grinned.
« Guess we’re officially too expensive to cheat on each other. »
I’d laughed then.
Now I opened it.
It contained financial protections tied to infidelity. I knew that didn’t guarantee the outcome of a divorce.
I’d laughed then.
But it reminded me of something important.
I wasn’t trapped.
The next day, I spoke privately with a family-law attorney about separation, finances, housing, the prenup, my return to work, and Sophie.
She made one thing clear: Sophie wasn’t a prize either of us could win because the other spouse had behaved badly.
I wasn’t trapped.
Good.
I didn’t want revenge through my daughter.
Near the end, she asked, « What outcome are you hoping for, Madeline? »
I had no answer.
I knew what Sophie needed, which bills were due, and what Elon liked for dinner.
« What outcome are you hoping for, Madeline? »
I hadn’t asked what I wanted in months.
« I don’t know yet. »
« Then don’t choose from panic. Get your information first. »
That stayed with me.
***
Two nights later, I told Elon I’d confirmed my return to work.
He looked up from his phone.
« Get your information first. »
« You already decided? »
« I always planned to go back. »
« I thought we were still discussing it. »
« We discussed it. I listened. Then I made my decision. »
His expression tightened.
« And Sophie? »
« You already decided? »
« We’ll arrange childcare. »
« You don’t need to do this, Maddie. »
« I want to work. »
He stood and paced toward the dresser.
« Why are you suddenly making everything harder? »
« We’ll arrange childcare. »
I stared at him.
« Harder for who? »
He stopped.
Then he said, « If something ever happened with us, you’d probably want to stay home with Sophie anyway. »
My hands froze over the onesie I was folding.
« What exactly would happen with us? »
« Harder for who? »
His face changed.
« I didn’t mean anything by that. »
« You mentioned us splitting up. »
« It was hypothetical, Madeline. We have a child now. These conversations happen. »
« Have you thought about it? »
« I didn’t mean anything by that. »
He gave a short laugh. « Everybody thinks about things. »
***
Later that night, I found Elon with Sophie asleep against his chest.
He smiled down at her, then rested a hand on my knee when I sat beside him.
For one painful moment, I wanted to ask if he still loved me.
Instead, I understood I could love him and still refuse what he’d done.
« Everybody thinks about things. »
***
Sunday was our anniversary.
