Page 102 of Open Secrets
I keep going, words tumbling out faster now. “We opened our marriage because I was jealous of my high school friend—Connor. Who, by the way is in the middle of a pretty brutal divorce now. I had a year-long friends-with-benefits because I didn’t want to be the cuckolded husband. And Bethany—Jesus.I stayed friends with a woman who hurt my wife, who hurt my family, because I wanted it. Because I decided it was fine, and everyone else just had to deal with it.”
I let out a shaky breath, my throat tight. “Every single time… I thought I was doing what was best for us. But really? I was just doing what I wanted.”
Dr. Nina lets the silence hang for a beat, then looks at Maria. “Maria — do you have an opinion about what Lyle just said?”
Maria breathes in slowly, then out. “Yeah.” She folds her hands in her lap. “We have four kids because I wanted four kids. I was the one who decided against moving to Killeen because I realised, I liked having a trusted babysitter.” She shrugs, a small, rueful movement. “The rest of it bothered me. Sometimes it still does. But I’m trying to live with it because it’s in the past.”
She nudges me with her shoulder and her voice softens. “You were selfish. But you stopped. You’re retiring. You let me handle Cece. You started listening to what I needed. That’s all I ever asked for — for you to listen, to care. You do that now. I see it and I love you for it.”
Dr. Nina speaks, her tone warm but measured. “This isn’t a quick fix. What you’ve built here—the honesty, the patience—that takes time. But you are on the right path. Sharing your struggles, leaning on each other instead of pulling away—that’s how trust is rebuilt. And that’s how it stays strong.”
Maria nods softly beside me, but my thoughts drift.
The Army therapist I used to see wasn’t like this. He was efficient, sure—but in more of a tough-honesty kind of way. I suppose that’s why I’ve been so reluctant to go back. A fact I think Dr. Nina is aware of.
She turns to me. “The armed forces—they have my immense respect for the work they do, the hardships they endure.” She glances at Maria. “And for the families who suffer in silence alongside them.” Then her eyes come back to me. “No matter how strong you are, everyone needs a little help.”
That part is meant for me.
I nod slowly. “I know. I’ve just been… busy with life.”
Dr. Nina studies me for a moment, then leans forward slightly. “That’s your choice, Lyle. But you need to find an outlet for your emotions before they start affecting your life. You may feel ready to leave the Army, but once the salutes stop, you might start regretting or resenting your decision.”
Her words hit like a stone in my gut. She isn’t wrong. The Army has been my backbone for two decades. I don’t even know who I am without it.
I nod, jaw tight. “I’ll try.”
She holds my gaze like she’s testing whether I mean it. Then she gives a small, satisfied nod and scribbles something in her notebook.
Maria shifts beside me, her thigh brushing mine, and when I glance over, she’s watching me with that soft, steady look that always cuts through the noise.
I might regret leaving the Army.
But I’ll never regret choosing her.
Chapter Thirty- Epilogue
Maria – One Year Later
“Shit. Fuck. Dammit.”
The string of curses drifts out of the downstairs bathroom. I pause at the doorway and peek inside to find Lyle flat on his back, half-buried under the sink, fiddling with a wrench.
“What the hell are you doing?” I ask.
His muffled reply comes from somewhere in the pipes. “What does it look like? The fucking pipe cracked.”
“Can’t you just shut the main line off? We’re gonna be late and you’re gonna ruin that tux.”
Another curse. Then, “It’ll just take a minute.”
I fold my arms. “We don’t have a minute. I’m the maid of honour. I kind of have to be there.”
Silence.
“And in case you forgot,” I add, “you’re walking her down the aisle, Lyle.”
That gets him. He scoots out from under the sink, sweat plastering his hair to his forehead, a streak of something brown clinging to his lapel.
