Lauren’s Decision
Chapter 17 - Lauren’s Decision
The court battle moved quickly after the forged documents became public.
But Ethan’s marriage could not be repaired by a judge.
He and Lauren began counseling.
The first sessions were uncomfortable.
They talked about things they had avoided for years.
His fear that if he admitted how much deployments changed him, Lauren would see him as weak.
Her fear that if she demanded more emotional honesty, he would decide home had become another place he could fail.
They talked about the separation papers.
The garage.
Nathan.
Richard.
They even talked about Edward.
One night, after a session, Lauren placed the old envelope on the kitchen table.
“I need to make a decision.”
Ethan’s chest tightened.
She removed the separation papers.
For weeks, they had left them untouched.
A reminder.
A wound they refused to pretend had never existed.
Lauren looked at him.
“I don’t want this marriage to survive because we got scared of losing it.”
Ethan said nothing.
“I want it to survive because we build something better.”
She tore the papers in half.
Then again.
Ethan exhaled.
Lauren smiled through tears.
“That wasn’t very legally dramatic.”
He laughed.
“It worked for me.”
He took her hand.
“I’m sorry I made you lonely while standing right next to you.”
She squeezed his fingers.
“I’m sorry I decided what you could handle instead of trusting you with the truth.”
They stood in the kitchen for a long time.
No speeches.
No promises that everything would suddenly be easy.
Just two people choosing honesty while it was still difficult.
Later that evening, Nathan texted Ethan a photograph.
The Harley was finished.
Black paint polished.
Chrome restored.
On the fuel tank, Nathan had added one small detail.
Not Edward’s initials.
Two sets.
E.C. and N.R.
Ethan stared at the picture.
Lauren leaned over his shoulder.
“It’s beautiful.”
Ethan smiled.
“Yeah.”
Then another message arrived.
This one was from Maya.
Richard had reached a plea agreement in the trust case.
May you like
But the veterans’ fund investigation was continuing.
And the amount missing was far larger than anyone had expected.
