His eyes filled.
"You're right."
"I don't want that marriage back."
He lowered his head.
Then I took his hand.
**"But I might want to build a new one with you."**
Nigel stared at me.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then tears filled his eyes.
"Mara…"
I smiled faintly.
"Slowly."
He nodded.
"As slowly as you need."
I looked toward the garden.
Iris and Leo were playing near the old apple tree.
Their laughter carried through the warm evening air.
For years, I'd known the sound of their happiness.
Now I could see it too.
And the sight filled me with a joy I couldn't describe.
***
Our marriage didn't heal overnight.
There were still difficult conversations.
There were days when I felt angry.
Days when Nigel became overwhelmed with guilt.
Days when I needed to be alone.
But we were learning to tell the truth before fear turned it into another secret.
