“I don’t even know where to start,” I began, my voice trembling. “Do you have any idea how much you’ve hurt me?
How humiliated I’ve felt these past months?”
“I know I messed up, Amber,” Randall said, unable to look into my eyes. “I let my insecurities get the best of me. When I saw Mya, she looked so different…
I just couldn’t think straight.”
“But that’s just it, Randall,” I said, frustration seeping into my voice. “You didn’t think. You didn’t trust me.
After all these years together, you believed I could do something like that to you.”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” he pleaded. “I’ll do anything to make this right.”
“I’ve been talking to a divorce lawyer,” I lied.
“What? No, Amber, please,” Randall looked at me with wide eyes.
“We can work this out.”
“Can we?” I asked. “Because right now, I’m not sure I can ever trust you again. You turned your back on me when I needed you most.
You let your family treat me like dirt.”
“Tell me what I can do,” Randall begged. “I’ll do anything.”
I looked at him and saw the man I fell in love with, the father of my children. But I also saw the man who had deeply wounded me.
“I’m willing to give you one chance,” I said slowly.
“But I have conditions.”
“Anything. Name it.”
“First, we move. I can’t stay in this town where everyone knows what happened.
I need a fresh start.”
“Okay,” Randall agreed quickly. “I can look for job transfers tomorrow.”
“Second,” I continued, “we cut ties with your mother. At least for now.
I can’t have her in our lives after how she treated me.”
This one seemed to hit Randall harder, but after a moment, he nodded. “I understand. It’s fair.”
“And lastly,” I said, “we both go to therapy.
Couples counseling and individual sessions. We need to work through this properly.”
“Of course,” Randall said. “Whatever it takes.”
At that point, I wasn’t sure if this would work, but I was relieved knowing Randall was willing to make things work.
Now, it’s been a few months since we moved, and I can say things between us have started to change.
I don’t know whether it’s just the therapy sessions or being away from Sophia has also helped, but whatever it is, I’m glad Randall and I didn’t have to part ways.
After all, that would’ve been the most hurtful thing for my kids.
