Listening to Adam, I realized his reaction was deeper. His mother’s infidelity had led to his parents’ painful divorce. “This is a trigger for me, Sasha. I need time to process.”
Adam left for a hotel to clear his head. The next day, I visited him, feeling the strain. I suggested moving to my grandmother’s house for a calmer setting to talk.
In that quiet space, I admitted, “I didn’t mean to keep secrets, Adam. I just didn’t know how to explain it.”
He sighed, “I get it. But it hits too close to my own pain. I think we need outside help to get through this.”
We decided to complete the family visit, though it was hard. My parents offered apologies, but this was about us, not them. On the drive home, we agreed to try couples therapy.
In the car, I suggested, “Maybe therapy can help us both process everything.”
Adam nodded, reaching for my hand. “You’re right. I need to face my past to accept your family for who they are.”
Since then, we’ve started therapy, sharing our fears and hopes. It hasn’t been easy, but we’re moving forward together.
What would you have done in our place?