Inside the box was an enormous pair of old trousers. Edward explained that they had once belonged to him when he was much heavier. Years earlier, he had refused birthday cake because he believed people like him didn’t deserve it. I had told him that my husband spoke about me the same way. That conversation had changed something in him.
Edward told Max that I never judged his body or told him he needed to change before he deserved happiness. “She didn’t fix me,” he said. “There was nothing wrong with me that needed fixing.”
Later, Edward admitted he had agreed to the fake relationship because he hoped I would realize I didn’t need to prove anything to Max. Then my daughter overheard Max’s cruel comment and asked why I had pretended Edward was my boyfriend. I finally told her the truth: I wanted her father to believe somebody wanted me. She hugged me and said, “But we wanted you here.”
