They gathered their things, looking more subdued than I’d ever seen them. As they drove away, I felt a pang of regret mingled with the relief of standing my ground.

Back at home, I collapsed onto the couch next to Mark. “How did it go?” he asked gently.

“They apologized, eventually,” I replied. “But it’s going to take some time to rebuild trust.”

He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close. “You did good, standing up for yourself.”