I couldn’t hear it. The moment it slipped from Cody’s lips, I would have a decision to make. A punishment to execute. A marriage to abandon. A sin to announce to the whole family. I didn’t want any of that. I wanted blissful ignorance and my deserved happily ever after with a husband who adored me, a family who enfolded me, and Mortimer’s inheritance.

Please, Cody, don’t take that all away from me.

“I can’t keep this from you, Marin.”

It was a no-win Sophie’s choice. No matter what I picked, we all would suffer. Choose to live in a lie to keep the family together, or choose the freedom of truth that tears the family apart.

I decided to beat him to the punchline. “I forgive you for cheating on me with Felicity.”

Cody sat there, mouth agape. “You already know about the kiss?”

“I don’t just know about it, Cody. I saw it. I’m guessing there was a lot more than just a kiss?”

“No, I swear, nothing else happened. We kissed, Felicity tried to convince me to go upstairs with her, but then we just sat on the stairs while she cried. That’s all. I promise you.” I saw honesty in his unwavering gaze, felt it in his warm palm as he slipped his fingers through mine.

“You didn’t sleep with her?”

“No, I could never do that to you. I love you more than everything. It was just a kiss and her sobbing on the stairs while I listened, the whole time feeling awful about it.”

Then came the one-two punch: “How could you do this? What were you thinking?”

He ran his other hand through his hair, resting it on his forehead, shadowing his eyes. “I’m not going to make excuses for what I did, Marin. I wasn’t thinking—that’s just it. I could blame it on the alcohol, on Felicity’s begging, on grief…but it was not about you. You’ve always been perfect, always been an incredible wife. I don’t deserve you; I’ve known this from the moment I saw you that even if I did somehow miraculously win your heart, I wouldn’t be good enough. Not because you make me feel less than good enough, but because you’re just so…everything.” He rambled on as he leaned into his plea. “I know I screwed up, and I’m sorry, Marin. I’ll leave if you want me to, or stay if you want me to. Whatever you want, I’m willing to do. I just hope I can earn back your trust.”

I crossed my arms. “Why should I ever trust you again, Cody?”