Page 54 of His Loving Wife

“I… I didn’t know what to do,” Andrew stammered.

“I didn’t know what to do!” Kate moved violently, pounding her own chest. “No one knows how to react in that situation. But I did something! I did whatever I had to do to keep our family safe, and you just sat there.”

Dr. Sutton raised a palm. “I don’t think we need to cast more blame—”

“No, she’s right,” Andrew said, cutting her off. “I was too afraid. I was too stunned.”

“That’s why you said Kate saved you. You don’t feel like you did enough that night.”

“I know I didn’t do enough. I didn’t do anything. And if Kate hadn’t been there…”

Andrew’s words fell away. He leaned over, sobbing loudly.

Dr. Sutton and Kate looked at each other. It was odd to have a man express his emotions so openly. Kate’s man, her husband, her partner—the person who had proven to be so few of these things in the past few months.

“If I’d been the only person there that night, there’s no telling what would have happened. I just wasn’t capable of stepping up and defending my family, and that’s a painful truth to reckon with,” he sobbed. “That’s why I’ve been shifting the blame to Kate, trying to block out my memories with silence and booze. I’m ashamed of what I did. If I can blame her for causing it, then I don’t feel so guilty about doing nothing to stop it.”

After several moments, Dr. Sutton spoke.

“What the both of you have been through is complicated. It’s putting your marriage to the test. I believe you can overcome it, but I would recommend we continue counseling for the foreseeable future.”

Kate looked to her left. Andrew was still sobbing. She wasn’t sure if he’d acknowledged anything the therapist had said.

“I think that would be good,” Kate said. She placed a hand on Andrew’s shaking shoulder. “We can get through this.”

And for the first time in months, Kate felt like she really wanted to.

Chapter 27

Now

After leaving the pharmacy, I take the scenic route back to the beach house, opting for narrow neighborhood streets instead of the highway. By the time I arrive at the rental, I’ve been gone more than an hour. I hope Willow is no longer sick, but a few pills will at least reduce her headache.

I’ve decided I’m going to tell Andrew I’m ready to return to Hidden Oaks. I realize his spontaneous decision to extend this trip was well-intentioned, but there are too many issues we need to address as a family, and this vacation, as ideal as the early days were, is only prolonging our denial. I’m still not convinced Paul hasn’t followed us here; if he’s determined to track us down wherever we go, we’ll be more prepared to take him on in Hidden Oaks, where a familiar police department can help us.

As I exit the car, I can hear splashing on the other side of the tall security gate. Noah must be in good spirits if he’s already in the pool. I walk inside and start fiddling with the pill bottle packaging. I need to find Willow and make sure she’s okay.

I hear footsteps. I look up, expecting to see Andrew, but instead, there’s a man I’ve never seen before standing in our kitchen.

My throat clenches shut, halting my ability to breathe. I take several steps back, stumbling into a wall. This man isn’t Paul, but he’s still a stranger, and he’s inside our vacation home.

“I’m sorry,” he says, holding out his hands. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Who the hell are you?”

Andrew walks up and puts a hand on the man’s shoulder. “Kate, it’s okay. We didn’t hear you come in.”

My breath is still shallow after being startled. My eyes shift between Andrew and the man in front of me. “What’s going on?”

Andrew appears calm. “Kate, this is Vincent. He’s a member of the Second Chances group.”

“I’m local to the area.” Vincent smiles, his body language relaxed and inviting. He takes a step forward, holding out a hand for me to shake. His palm is thick and warm, his grip sturdy. “Sorry again for scaring you.”

“It’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting to see someone, that’s all.” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, can feel my cheeks blushing from the embarrassment. Inside, my heart is still pounding against my chest maddeningly.

Vincent is a large man. He’s well over six feet tall, his shoulders are broad, and he’s got a slight paunch. He’s wearing a buttoned-up linen shirt in a tropical design and cargo shorts that stop just past his knee. His physical stature is alarming at first, but when he smiles, as he is now, he appears kind.

“I hope you don’t mind me dropping in on your family vacation,” he says.

---