Page 77 of Shattering

Gray clenched his jaw, his breath unsteady. His hands flexed on his knees. "I shoved you."

Cadi's breath caught.

"I didn't hit you, but I shoved you," he said, voice raw. "I was angry. And I didn't think. But that's not an excuse."

Cadi braced herself., watching him.

"That is not who you are," she said firmly. "That was an accident. But you need help. And I can't do that for you."

She reached into her pyjama pocket and pulled out a small business card.

Gray's stomach twisted.

"This is what I need you to do," she said, her voice even. "If you want a shot at saving our marriage. For Tomos's sake. Because he deserves two sane parents."

Gray took the card without looking at it.

Dr.Patrick Sloan.

"He does a lot of private work," Cadi continued. "I think we can afford to pay for it. You'll do however many sessions you need to. This is not negotiable."

Gray finally looked at the card, his hands shaking.

"I feel like I've failed you," Cadi whispered. "Because why... why could you never talk to me?"

Gray's voice cracked. "I just didn't want you to know." His expression was tortured. "I was so ashamed."

Cadi's expression softened. "You had no reason to be ashamed for what those monsters did when you were a child." A pulse of feeling passed between them before "I've already made an appointment."

Gray's eyes snapped to hers.

"You're meeting him tomorrow at 3:00."

Gray inhaled sharply. "Tomorrow?"

"No, Gray," Cadi said, her voice steely. "I spoke to one of my friends in the mental health team. Then I spoke to him. He's agreed to squeeze you in."

Gray squeezed his eyes shut. He felt raw, exposed.

Cadi exhaled, leaning back slightly. "After you feel better... we may need therapy as a couple."

She rubbed her temples. "I think we can manage Dr. Sloan's fees, but—"

Gray shook his head, cutting her off. "Don't worry about the money."

Cadi frowned. "Gray, therapy isn't cheap—"

"I know," he interrupted, his voice firm. "But it won't be a problem. There's... money."

Something in his expression shifted, his usual bravado faltering for a moment.

Cadi tilted her head. "What money?"

Gray exhaled. "The money they gave my mother."

Gray nodded, his jaw tightening. "She signed something. The money wasn't just for her leaving. It was for silence. For me keeping my last name. They wanted to bury what happened, make sure no scandal touched them. No divorce—just a quiet separation and a payout to keep their name untarnished."

Cadi swallowed. "How much?"

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