Two months after the divorce, I was shocked to see my ex-wife wandering aimlessly around the hospital. When I learned the truth, I collapsed.

I remembered those mornings when she said she felt unwell and stayed in bed long after I left for work. I thought she was shirking her responsibilities. Now I wondered if, on those days, anxiety had made daily life unbearable for her. I remembered inviting her out with friends and my frustration at her excuses. I thought she didn’t care. Now I understood that social situations could be unbearable for her.

« There were signs, » I murmured, more to myself than to her. « I just didn’t know how to interpret them. »

Rebecca gave a sad smile.

“I became an expert at hiding it,” she said. “Too expert, perhaps. I figured if I looked normal long enough, maybe I’d end up feeling normal.”

PART 2