Chapter 24 - Caleb and Imogen
Their sibling relationship did not recover quickly.
Caleb felt betrayed.
Imogen felt abandoned.
Both had history.
After their parents died, Caleb had become the reliable sibling.
Loan.
Airport pickup.
Emergency contact.
Fixer.
Imogen resented dependence while using it.
Caleb resented being used while offering.
Classic.
Therapy separated money from love.
He stopped paying for Imogen’s ordinary expenses.
Not punishment.
Boundary.
During condo repair, insurance covered housing.
Afterward she paid her own bills.
Her salary was enough.
She had been using Caleb partly because he offered easily.
Again:
systems people create together.
They spoke at holidays eventually.
No unsupervised time with Sawyer.
Mason exchanges handled mostly through Andrew or neutral family arrangements.
Three years after the incident, Caleb and Imogen had coffee.
She said:
“I thought becoming unnecessary to Mason meant losing him.”
Caleb answered:
“That is how you treated me too.”
Silence.
Then:
“You only called when you needed something.”
She cried.
Not because cruel.
Because true enough.
Their relationship shifted.
Less rescue.
More sibling.
Sometimes that means less contact.
May you like
Healthier.
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