He Called It a “Compromise”—Until My Cats Exposed His True Heart

because it was persuasive, but because it revealed something ugly in the world: the way people use loneliness like a weapon.

As if love is scarce. As if you should accept anything just to have a warm body next to you.

As if companionship is a prize you lose if you don’t obey.

I kept thinking about that older woman’s comment: Never let a partner make you continue reading …