“You risked going to prison to clear his name.”

He nodded. “Yes, but it was as much about taking responsibility and clearing my conscience, which was important for my recovery, as it was about clearing his name. I live a clean life in every way now, Roni. I don’t even lie. I’ve been tested for diseases, and thank God I’m clean. I haven’t had sex since shortly after I got out of rehab. It was only a couple of times, and yes, I used protection. But it was just sex, and it made me feel empty and bad about myself. That probably doesn’t sound very manly, but one of the things I’ve learned through recovery is to stay away from things that make me feel bad. I don’t care if people think I’m a pussy for being celibate all this time. The only thing that matters is that every day when I wake up and look in the mirror, I like the person staring back at me. And after I confessed, I put myself back into rehab and completed the ninety-day program.”

Roni was quiet for so long, wringing her hands, Quincy was sure she was mustering the courage to say it was all too much.

“So, you’re pretty sure you’ll stay clean?” she asked in a soft, shaky voice.

“It’s my intention to, and I hope I will. But no matter how determined I am and how much I believe I will never fall into that hellish life again, I can’t make airtight promises. That wouldn’t be fair to you. But I can assure you that I have no reason to go back to that life, and I have more reasons than I can count to stay clean.”

She looked down, but not before Quincy saw her lower lip trembling. He moved off the couch and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. Tears spilled down her cheeks, gutting him anew. He lowered his forehead to her hands, trying to push aside his torment enough to find the right words to say. She rested her cheek on his head, clinging to his hands, shaking with her sobs, and he went up on his knees, pulling her into his arms.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m so fucking sorry.” He held her as she cried, her body shaking and quivering, her tears drawing his own. They didn’t move until she’d cried her very last tear, and then he held her longer—for both of them. Sometime later, she calmed, and he leaned back far enough to see her beautiful, red-rimmed eyes, wanting to make the promises he knew he couldn’t. Instead, he did what he had to and said, “I’m going to get out of here and give you time to figure out what you want.”

“I’m sorry for getting so upset,” she said in a broken voice.

“Don’t be. I know it’s terrifying.”

“The whole thing breaks my heart. You living that way, and the kids…” She covered her face with her hands, shaking her head.