AllFreeNovel
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“We’re going to be with you every step of the way,” Brody chimed in. “We aren’t asking you to do anything we haven’t done. And we’re going to be sharing with you, as well. We believe that experience is the best teacher. But we don’t want you to have to experience all the trials and tribulations we’ve gone through. So we’re going to take the lessons we’ve learned and share them with you.”
“In all their embarrassing detail,” Alva said.
Brody chuckled, along with the other couples in the room. As Ainsley scanned the faces in the room, she realized they were buying this spiel hook, line and sinker.
She glanced at Santiago, who was also smiling. If she hadn’t known better, she would think he was swallowing this drivel as well.
His reaction made her realize she, too, had a part to play. So she pushed her true feelings aside and tried to act like she was happy to be here.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned,” Brody said. “It’s that pride will get you into a lot of trouble. I hope one of the things you’ll all learn during the retreat is how to put your own selfish pride aside and focus on the good of your partner and your relationship. If you can learn that lesson, you’ll be ready to face whatever life throws at you.”
“But it won’t be easy,” Alva cautioned the room. “That’s why we have so many sessions during this retreat. You’ll each experience two individual counseling sessions per day, along with two couple’s sessions. We also have one group session and one seminar every day.”
Ainsley felt her eyebrows lift, and judging from the other expressions in the room, she wasn’t the only one surprised by this schedule.
Alva held up a hand, anticipating objections. “I know that sounds like a lot. It is.” She glanced up at Brody with a smile. “You’ve all made a significant financial investment to be here. Now we’re asking you to match that with your time and effort. If you truly commit to the experience and put in the work, you will reap the rewards.”
“She’s right.” Brody stepped forward, his avuncular demeanor making it seem like he was about to impart a nugget of wisdom. “That means put away your distractions—no phones, no work. I’m sure you’ve already noticed there are no televisions in your cabins.”
“It’s important you set aside the routines of your daily life in order to truly focus on healing the damages in your marriage,” Alva added. “Only by breaking free of the chains of past habits and patterns can you truly move forward together.”
Ainsley had to admit, they talked a good game. And some of what they said actually made sense. She knew from her own experience that she’d had to let go of some of her habits after Santiago had left—going to the same stores, the same restaurants had been too hard, a painful reminder that what they’d once done together she was now doing alone. So she’d started trying new things, building a new set of memories that didn’t contain Santiago. It had been difficult, but she’d done it. Moving back to Mustang Valley after law school had helped with that, as he’d never lived there. It only stood to reason that couples in trouble would have to learn new ways of relating to each other, since their existing strategies had brought them here in the first place.
“Your server will bring your personal schedules to your tables shortly,” Brody said. “Take a few moments to look them over, and we will see you soon for your first session. All of you will be there, and we will assign the smaller groups at that time.”
With that, the pair stepped down from the stage and began to make their way out of the room. Ainsley looked at Santiago. “I guess it’s time for me to offer my bribe,” she said quietly.
He nodded. “Act like you’re looking for the bathroom,” he suggested.
“Good idea.” She got to her feet and made a show of looking around the room. Fortunately for her, there wasn’t a clearly marked sign identifying the facilities, so it didn’t look too odd that she was wandering around.
Ainsley made sure she gave them a minute or two to leave the room, so
she didn’t appear to be chasing after them. She slipped out of the room and caught sight of their backs as they reached the end of the hallway.
Picking up the pace, she raced after them. As she ran, she ran a finger over the front of her necklace to activate the camera. “Excuse me!” she called out.
Brody turned, followed by Alva. “Yes?” Brody asked. “Did you need something?”
She came to a stop in front of them, panting slightly. “Yes,” she said. “I was hoping to have a private word?”
Impatience flitted across Alva’s face, so she quickly added, “I don’t need much of your time.”
The couple exchanged a cryptic look. “Of course,” Brody said, his tone friendly. “What can we do for you? It’s Grace Rodriguez, right?”
Ainsley nodded and stepped closer, dropping her voice. “It’s my husband, Santiago,” she said. “I have to get out of this marriage.”
Alva’s brows drew together, her expression one of maternal concern. “Oh my dear,” she said. “What makes you say that?”
Ainsley glanced around, as though worried someone would overhear. “He’s cheating on me,” she nearly whispered. “Has been for years. I have proof, but he doesn’t know that. I agreed to this retreat because he thinks he can use these sessions as an excuse to shortchange me on the alimony.”
“I’m so sorry.” Brody looked genuinely sympathetic.
“How can we help?” Alva asked.
“I need him to admit to his infidelity,” Ainsley said. “If he confesses in one of the counseling sessions, then according to the terms of our prenup, I’ll get everything.”
Alva nodded gravely. “I see. Well,” she trailed off, shaking her head. “We’re sympathetic to your situation of course, but I’m sure you can appreciate that what happens in the individual counseling sessions must remain private. This is a safe space, and if people don’t trust that what they say will be held in confidence, then they won’t participate fully. It undermines our mission to bring people together.”
