“I began having bouts of emotional eating. Lots of them, in fact. Every time I thought about what that horrible woman said to me and the way she made me feel, I caught myself turning to food in order to comfort myself. That’s why I gained so much weight over the past eight years. Which, in turn, has also affected my current health.”

Worried eyes gazed down at her. “What do you mean?” he asked, his voice filling with urgency. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I’m fine, Dad. It’s just that I’m prediabetic. That’s why I’ve been trying so hard to work out. Dr. Fowler said it was reversible if I got my weight under control and exercised more. So that’s what I’ve been doing.”

“I’m proud of you for taking control of your health. I knew you were trying to get fit, and I can tell it worked. You have a healthy glow about you.”

She smiled. It was nice when people noticed all the hard work she had put in to make it happen. “Thanks. Adam had a big part in that though.”

“The fitness or the healthy glow?”

“Both. But I’m still only halfway to my goal weight. I just hope I don’t gain the weight I’ve lost back now that Adam and I aren’t working out together anymore.”

One dark eyebrow rose. “So you aren’t going to forgive him then?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess I just need some time to figure that out. I hope he’ll give me some space until I do. I’m just emotionally and physically drained right now and have too much on my plate. I want to prioritize my mental health and consider my options about my physical state before I resolve anything on the Adam front. But I have a feeling he’s going to be relentless when it comes to wanting me to hear him out.”

Her dad grinned. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

Oh Lord. “Dad, don’t do anything—”

“I won’t,” he promised. “But I do want to point out something to you. I’ve seen how happy you are with him. I don’t want that to change. If losing you is his consequence for the mistake he’s made, then so be it. But you might want to remember your happiness when you’re considering your options. Do what’s best for you.”

“I will,” she promised. “Don’t worry about me. Besides, all of this is my own fault anyway. I knew better than to let him get too close. If I had kept my distance, I wouldn’t be feeling like this.”

Her dad looked puzzled. “Whoa. Hold on. What’s wrong with letting someone get close?”

One shoulder came up in a slight shrug. “Why bother? They’re just going to leave anyway.”

“What do you mean?”