Page 77 of Absolution

He doesn’t argue, doesn’t move.

I walk to the door. “I’ll see you at drop-off.”

And this time, he doesn’t try to stop me.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Kyle~March, 2025

“How are you, Kyle?” Dr. Nina asks, her voice soft and patient, that southern drawl of hers turning my name into something gentle.

At first, I wasn’t sure about seeing a female therapist. Thought it might be uncomfortable, too exposing. But that’s probably why she’s perfect. She doesn’t let me dodge.

I shift on the sofa. “It’s been a few months since I moved out and the divorce was finalised. The kids are finally coming around. Levi actually answered me last week instead of just grunting. Jemma showed me her math grade. Iris sent me a voice note. I was starting to feel... okay. Like maybe I hadn’t completely destroyed everything.”

She waits. Doesn’t rush.

“Until I found out it was pity,” I add, quieter now. “They weren’t letting me in. They were feeling bad for me.”

Her brows lift slightly, but she still doesn’t say anything.

“Because…” I hesitate, jaw tightening. “Because Jackie’s dating.”

“How do you feel about that?” she asks, voice as neutral as ever.

“It’s fine,” I say. “She’s single.”

Dr. Nina tilts her head. She doesn’t push. Just waits.

“Fine,” I snap. “I’m mad, okay? I’m pissed. Here I am busting my ass, spilling my guts to a stranger about every dark, messed-up thing I’ve done, and she’s out dating like… like nothing happened. Like we didn’t have a life together. Like she didn’t just walk away with the kids and the house and everything.”

“What should she be doing?” Nina asks, not accusing, just curious.

“I don’t know,” I say quickly. “But not that.”

“You said she’s single.”

“She is,” I bite out.

“And you’re divorced.”

“Yes.”

“So, she’s allowed to date.”

I rub a hand over my face. “I know that. Logically. I know. But it’s different.”

“How?”

“The women I was with,” I start, voice already tightening. “They weren’t about emotions. It wasn’t dating. It wasn’t… it wasn’t real. It was a release. An escape.”

Nina’s quiet a beat. Then: “Maybe your ex-wife needs a release too. Maybe she needs something to remind herself she’s wanted. Or maybe she just wants a meal and someone to make her laugh.”

I grit my teeth. “It just… it feels fast.”

“She spent years grieving you, Kyle,” Dr. Nina says gently. “Long before the divorce. You weren’t emotionally present. You weren’t honest. She’s not moving on fast; she’s moving on now that she’s allowed to.”

The words hit like a weight on my chest.

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