Chapter 13 - The Marriage Ended Before the Divorce BeganAudrey asked:
“Do you still love me?”
Gavin answered:
“Yes.”
That surprised both of them.
They sat on the back terrace of the mansion.
Mia was with Paige.
Baxter slept under the table.
Audrey started crying.
“Then why does it feel over?”
“Because love isn’t the only requirement.”
She wiped her face.
“Trust.”
“Yes.”
“Can it come back?”
“Maybe.”
Hope appeared.
Gavin continued:
“But I don’t know if I want to rebuild this marriage.”
The hope disappeared.
Audrey looked down.
“Because of Reid?”
“Because of you and Reid.”
She nodded.
“Because of the test.”
“Yes.”
“Darlene.”
“Partly.”
“And Mia.”
Gavin looked at her.
“Mostly how we handled Mia.”
Audrey cried.
“I know.”
Gavin continued.
“I don’t want her learning that family means staying together no matter what happens.”
Audrey stared toward the lawn.
“What would divorce teach her?”
“That people can love each other and still stop being married.”
She smiled sadly.
“That sounds very therapist.”
“Expensive month.”
Audrey laughed through tears.
Then became serious.
“Are you deciding now?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I refuse to make another family decision while everyone is still reacting.”
She nodded.
“That’s fair.”
They agreed to remain separated.
Audrey moved into a furnished home ten minutes away.
Mia began spending two nights there under a gradual plan.
The first sleepover, Gavin felt physically ill.
Not because he thought Audrey would harm her.
Because he was no longer in control.
Then he recognized the danger in that thought.
Control was not the same as safety.
Mia returned the next morning happy.
“Mom burned pancakes.”
Gavin smiled.
“She always did.”
“She said you used to eat them anyway.”
“I was in love.”
Mia laughed.
“Gross.”
Small normal things returned.
Meanwhile Reid officially stepped down as COO.
The company survived.
No dramatic collapse.
No investor revolt.
Gavin realized how many adults had built lies around imagined catastrophes.
Audrey believed truth would destroy the family.
Reid believed asking about paternity would destroy his friendship.
Darlene believed leaving would destroy her finances.
Each avoided pain.
Each created more.
One afternoon Reid requested a final business meeting.
They sat in the conference room where they had once celebrated their first million-dollar contract.
Reid looked around.
“Remember the folding table?”
“Still technically a desk.”
Reid smiled.
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
Gavin looked at him.
“For what?”
Reid understood.
He listed it.
Sleeping with Audrey.
Lying afterward.
Suspecting Mia might be his.
Accepting the godfather role anyway.
Staying emotionally close to Audrey.
Kissing her again.
Visiting secretly.
No excuse.
Gavin listened.
Then:
“Do you want access to Mia?”
Reid’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Reid looked confused.
Gavin continued:
“I would worry if you felt nothing.”
“But?”
“Wanting does not create entitlement.”
Reid nodded.
“I know.”
“Her therapist will help. Her needs decide.”
“Yes.”
“Not your guilt.”
“Yes.”
They shook hands.
Not friends.
Not enemies.
Two men connected by something they had not chosen and something one of them had.
Reid said:
“Does she ask about me?”
“Sometimes.”
“What does she say?”
Gavin stared.
“Don’t ask me to feed you scraps of her feelings.”
Reid flinched.
Then nodded.
“You’re right.”
Progress seemed to be everyone learning not to use Mia as emotional currency.
That evening, Gavin returned home.
The mansion felt enormous.
Empty.
Too polished.
He looked toward the kitchen.
Mia had not entered it willingly since the incident.
May you like
That decided something.
He called a realtor.
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