Even if we don’t stay married.
"He might," I acknowledge, and see Liam tense out of thecorner of my eye.
"I can't promise he's not going to mess up again, Liam, as much as I can't promise thatI'mnot going to mess up. We're human, we're going to make mistakes," I tell him, and Liam frowns.
"But that doesn't mean you have to forgive those mistakes, especially if they really hurt you. If your Dad steps back again, then... we deal with it. Together. Okay?" I ask, glancing at Liam before I look at Noah in the mirror.
My youngest nods his head with a small smile while Liam's face twists, looking unsure.
"What if Dad gets like... depressed again?" He asks, his voice low.
"Adult feelings are not your responsibility," I tell him, though my heart is warming at that little flicker of care Liam let shine through. Just a little spark, but it's there. "But your Dad has people to support him. Your grandparents, your uncles, and me."
Liam nods and he's quiet for a long minute before he murmurs, "I'll try for you, Mama."
"Try for you, baby," I tell him, shaking my head. "You deserve it."
When I park at the garage next to Atlas' truck, I try to think back to the last time I was here, but honestly, I cannot remember.
Liam swings his gym bag full of clothes for the weekend, over his shoulder, squinting at the building I used to bring him to all the time when he was a baby.
I help Noah out of the car, grabbing his overnight bag as he puts his headphones around his neck.
Holding Noah's hand, we walk inside, but no one's at the front desk. It's four in the afternoon, and I know they take lunch a lot earlier than this, so I'm a little confused.
I walk toward the big window that shows the mechanics bays and see a couple of guys working but no Atlas. They keep glancing over to us, apparently wondering who we are.
Do they really not know? Does Atlas not even talk about us?
"Maybe he's in his office," I say to Liam, who shrugs, looking bored as he leans against the front desk.
Noah's eyes glance around curiously, just as they did when he was a baby and I'd bring him here. Muffled laughter drifts from the direction of the office, and Liam tenses as he glances down the hallway.
When I follow his gaze, I freeze. Through the windowed office door, I can see the back of a very long blonde head of hair tossed back in laughter.
Atlas' deep voice says something then, but I can't catch exactly what he says. He must be at his desk, blocked by her rather curvy form in a very tight pink sweater dress as she stands in front of him.
Her high-pitched, breathy voice giggles, "Atlas, you're so funny!"
I blink, my stomach dropping straight to the floor.
There has to be some explanation.
She's just an employee... laughing with my husband... alone in his office. Atlas told me... he told me...
Liam, unfortunately, doesn't have the restraint I'm desperately trying to hold onto.
My son moves, charging right into the office and shoving the door open so hard it bangs against the wall. I follow after him quickly, and see my husband and the blonde woman jump in surprise.
She whips around and—yeah, of course, she's gorgeous and younger than me. The woman I pictured while speaking to Imani stands before me as if I manifested her.
Atlas looks surprised, his face pale as he seems to register what this looks like, whatever it is.
You're separated, he's technically single,even though he looked like he was about to have a heart attack when I accidentally let him think I was dating someone.
We’re still married and that means something to me.
Atlas told me he wanted to earn back my love and trust, andI believe him. I’m placing my trust in him.
