AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Brenda considered Dr. Dangerfield’s words thoughtfully. And for the briefest moment, she saw herself coming clean to Roselle. Sure, he’d be infuriated, at first. But he’d come around, eventually. Hadn’t he already said he wouldn’t hold it against her if she had cheated on him?
Roselle wouldn’t want to tear apart their home. Sure, he might beat her ass and then go jump on his brother, but he wouldn’t take what they’d done to him out on Ariel.
No. Roselle would forgive her, in time.
And he wouldn’t love his daughter any less.
Or wouldn’t he?
“Do you think your husband is your daughter’s father?”
Brenda nodded. “I do. Most times. But then I see her when she’s with her cousins, and I see the resemblance and then I start to doubt myself all over again. Ariel looks like both of them to me.”
Dr. Dangerfield uncrossed her legs and then shifted in her seat. “Well, you did sleep with brothers.”
Wringing her hands, Brenda swallowed back the sting of truth. “I know. I’m reminded of that tidbit every day.” Her voice, though short, was also apologetic. “Every time I look at my daughter, I am reminded of what I did, wondering when someone might come along and—”
Brenda didn’t want to think about it, or talk about it, anymore. The thought of doing what was right by not hurting those she loved was exhausting.
“Renaldo and I swore to never tell a soul of that night—ever. I know he wouldn’t go against his word. It’s his bond.”
“How noble of him,” Dr. Dangerfield said. Her words felt sarcastic, but Brenda chose to ignore them.
“So then what’s your fear?”
Brenda shrugged. “I don’t know. I just wanna let go of this guilt. That’s it.”
“Then you’ll need to get honest. And then forgive yourself.”
“Do you think Roland—?”
“Renaldo.”
“Ah, yes, Renaldo. Do you think he suspects Ariel might be his?”
Brenda’s heart thundered in her chest. She looked mortified. “God, no. All she is to him is his spoiled little niece. But even if the thought ever crossed his mind, it would be a fleeting one. He loves her deeply. And he loves his brother, so he would never want to hurt either of them. And he definitely wouldn’t want to destroy his marriage behind some nagging suspicion.”
Dr. Dangerfield nodded. “Then I guess you have your answer.”
Brenda sighed, then stood as the timer dinged. “Yes. I guess you’re right. I guess I just needed to finally let it out, holding on to it was killing me.”
“Sometimes talking is all someone needs.”
Brenda reached for my Kleenex, then wiped her eyes one last time. “You’re right. I will not shed another tear over this. What’s done is done. I can’t change it. Everything in me says Ariel is Roselle’s and that is what I have to go with.”
Dr. Dangerfield rose from her seat and extended her hand. “All the best to you, Mrs. Woods.”
Brenda shook her hand, and then pulled her into a warm hug, before kissing her on the cheek. “You’re some kind of special, Doc. Thank you for everything.”
Shocked by the gesture, Dr. Dangerfield stepped into the embrace, then quickly pulled away from her. “It’s been a pleasure working with you. Let me know how life in an open marriage works out for you and Mr. Woods.”
Yes. Brenda had agreed to an open marriage—on a trial basis. She knew it was Roselle’s way of being able to fuck other bitches, but she’d laid down a few ground rules: one, she chose who he fucked; t
wo, she got to fuck who she wanted as long as Roselle watched; three, Roselle wasn’t allowed any extracurricular pussy unless he asked for it—and was given her permission.
Dr. Dangerfield had thought the rules unrealistic, and suspected the arrangement wouldn’t last long. She believed they both had a skewed view of what an open marriage entailed. Open marriages weren’t about open permission to cheat, which was the case of non-monogamous couples like Brenda and Roselle. Having a healthy polyamorous marriage required a true understanding of its meaning. And neither seemed to understand that it required lots of trust, clear agreements, and an abundance of open communication.
Brenda didn’t trust Roselle. But she saw the idea of an open marriage as a way of taking control of her marriage and monitoring Roselle’s cheating in a way that didn’t consume her.
