My mother-in-law’s handwriting. The woman who’s spent our entire marriage undermining me.
When I confronted Alex, he claimed Angela told him she was dying and begged for “something permanent” to keep her fighting. No proof—just manipulation.
The next day, I visited Angela.
She opened the door in silk and gold, smiling.
“Oh, I’m perfectly fine. I just needed to remind you—I’ll always be the most important person in his life.
”That was the moment I realized—I’d been wearing sleeves over the truth, too.
So I got my own tattoo: “Self-respect
, my only love forever.” Now, I wear tank tops.
Alex still wears long sleeves.
Carlie wants him to cover it with a giraffe named Larry.
Maybe he will. But I don’t care anymore.
My tattoo isn’t for him—it’s for me. And it’s never coming off.
