Chapter Sixty-Five: Time to be honest.

After some hesitation, I decided to join Wyatt, even though I had no idea where he was leading me. I’m glad I went because he brought me to his cabin by the lake. It’s a place of beauty and tranquility. He showed me around and then told me to take some time for myself. It seems like he picked up on the fact that I’m not ready to forgive him yet.

I am sitting by the lake, enjoying the quietness. Wyatt is inside; I’ve been outside for quite some time. He never mentioned owning a place like this. I wonder if it’s a place meant only for his escape.

“Can I join you?”

As I glance behind me, I see that he’s carrying two iced coffees. There’s a blanket tucked under his arm.

I smile, “Yeah.”

He reciprocates the smile. “Thank you. I figured you might be in need of a coffee soon.”

I grab it from him, and he takes a seat beside me. He places the blanket gently on my shoulders. I’m feeling a bit cold in my strappy tee. I offer him part of the blanket, but he declines by shaking his head.

As I sip my coffee, I can’t help but sigh, “This place is beautiful.”

“Yes, it is. When I need a break, this is where I go. No one else knows about it, only you.”

I rest my head on his shoulder. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

He wraps his arm around me and plants a gentle kiss on the top of my head. We grow quiet for a while.

“At the age of five, I saw my father murder my mother in front of me. Before my adoption, I spent a year in the foster system.”

I turn quickly to face him. In slow motion, he shifts his gaze towards me, his eyes reflecting pain. While I knew he mentioned a troubled upbringing, I couldn’t envision something so severe. How can a child recover from such a situation? They couldn’t, not if it happened right in front of him.

“Wyatt, I’m sorry you had to suffer through such a horrible situation. Is that the cause of the nightmares?” With tears streaming down my face, I grip his hand.

“Yes. Over the years, I’ve tried numerous types of therapy, but none of them were effective. They won’t go away. My mother and I were always subjected to abuse by my father. That day, she mustered the courage to confront him. She was ready to take me away from it all. He decided if he couldn’t have her, no one could. She was killed the same night we were planning to leave and begin a new life, just the two of us.” He whimpers, tears streaming down his cheeks too now.

I reach in and wipe his tears away. “I sensed you had been through a lot, but I didn’t expect it to be something so terrible. I am so sorry, Wyatt. I can’t even imagine what you went through.”

“Yes, so that is my story. That was the beginning of how I became the way I am. From then on, I became unrecognizable to myself. I caused my parents a lot of stress, especially during my teenage years. I always had behavioral problems before that. I always wondered why they chose to keep me. Why would anyone desire someone so damaged?” he whispers.

Although he appears confident, I think deep down he is broken and filled with fear. He lacks belief in his own worth. It breaks my heart.

I move to kneel in front of him, caressing his cheek.

“They love you, Wyatt. They chose you, and that is something special. I am sure there were many kids looking to be adopted, but more than I am sure, they picked you. None of what happened was your fault, Wyatt. Your family loves you. You are worth it. Your identity is not determined by your history. No one can fully grasp the extent of what you’ve been through, but you must stop isolating yourself from others. Everyone needs someone in their lives.” I say softly.

He looks at me, surprise evident on his face, and questions, “You’re not running?”

“What? No way, not at all. What makes you believe that?”

He sighs. “People have left for lesser reasons. I believe I am broken beyond repair. Why would you choose to stay?”

“You aren’t broken beyond repair, Wyatt. Despite your struggles, you’ve made the best life for yourself. I’ve grown fond of you lately, even though you can be a pain in my ass at times. If I wanted to go, I would have already left.”

He smiles, “I have grown fond of you too, beautiful.”

“I’m here for you, ready to listen. No judgments. No questions, just listening. Wyatt, it’s not healthy to keep everything bottled up inside. Promise to come to me when you need me.”

He needs to know I am here. He most likely doesn’t discuss what he went through with his family. It’s important that he doesn’t fight his demons by himself.

“I promise I will try,” he says.

I kiss him softly, “I will take it. I never want you to pretend to be someone else when you’re with me.”

“No one else has ever said that to me, except for you.”

His hand gently touches my cheek as his thumb caresses my face. I shut my eyes and kiss the palm of his hand.

“I truly mean what I’m saying.”

I draw near and embrace him tightly, wrapping my arms around him. He clings to me, seeking comfort by burying his face in my chest. I’m not used to seeing him vulnerable. Both of us remain silent, not saying a word. All he needs in the moment is to be close, and that is fine.

We part after a couple of minutes. He tightly clasps my hand.

“I really am sorry about last night. It was wrong of me to behave and speak that way to you. I didn’t mean them.”

Ashamed, he gazes down at the ground.

I place my finger on his chin and tilt his head back. “It is okay. It has been forgotten.”

“You have my word that I won’t treat you that way again.”

I smile, nod, and kiss him softly. I position myself next to him and nestle against his side. He swiftly pulls me into his embrace with his arm.

“Thank you for not leaving or asking too many questions. I am not ready to discuss it in detail yet.”

“No rush, Wyatt. Take your time. I won’t force you to reveal everything to me.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Thank you. Do you realize how incredible you are?”

“I try my best,” I say and bury my face in his neck.

It makes me happy that he feels comfortable and trusts me enough to confide in me.