Love Unbreakable by Bank Brook
Chapter 1686

Chapter 1685: Alternate Ending 4/10

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As the weeks passed, Nicole and Jarrod struggled to keep their promise to try. The nights of silence between them had lessened, and while not everything was perfect, they seemed to have found a way to begin rebuilding what had been broken. Small gestures—like family dinners or walks in the park with Austin—reminded them that there was still some of what once united them. But they both knew they couldn't live off of those moments alone.

The real challenge came when Jarrod suggested couples therapy. It was a move Nicole hadn't anticipated. Jarrod had always been the kind of man who believed problems were solved in private, without the need to involve others. The fact that he suggested therapy showed a level of commitment that surprised Nicole, and made her hesitate.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Nicole asked, as they both sat at the breakfast table. Jarrod, with a cup of coffee in his hand, nodded with conviction.

“Yes, I'm sure. “I want to do everything I can to do this work, and if that means talking to a professional, I will do that.”

Nicole wasn't completely convinced, but she knew she had to acknowledge Jarrod's effort. "Okay," she replied. "Let's try it."

The following weeks were marked by therapy sessions, where both of them faced difficult conversations, repressed emotions, and the ghosts of their past. Despite the initial awkwardness, Nicole began to realize that this process was not only helping Jarrod to be more open, but also allowing her to release the pain and frustration she had built up for so long.

“I always felt like there was a wall between us,” Nicole confessed during one of the sessions. “Like I could never reach the real you. And that made me feel alone, even when we were together.”

Jarrod, sitting across from her in the therapist's small room, was silent for a moment before answering. “I never wanted you to feel that way, Nicole. I always thought I had to be strong, that I couldn't show my weaknesses. But I realize now that that has only driven us apart.”

Nicole, acknowledged processing his words. She had waited so long for an apology, for an explanation, and now that she had it, she didn't know what to do with it. Part of her wanted to hold on to the anger, the resentment, but another part of her was willing to let it go.

With each session, the distance between them was gradually shortened, and although there was still a long way to go, they both felt they were making progress.

The biggest change, however, came one afternoon when Jarrod, after a particularly emotional session, stopped in front of his front door and turned to Nicole.

“I love you,” he said, his voice husky but sincere. “I know I've made a lot of mistakes, but I love you, and I want you to know that.”

Nicole froze for a moment, surprised by Jarrod's vulnerability. It wasn't the first time he'd said those words to her, but there was something in his tone, in the look in his eyes, that made her believe he really meant it this time. For the first time in a long time, the words didn't sound empty.

“I love you too,” Nicole replied, feeling a wave of emotions wash over her. “And I want this to work. But it’s not going to be easy, Jarrod.”

“I know,” he replied, taking her hand. “And I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

…

The next few days were a little easier. Although the wounds were still there, raw, they both felt more capable of facing them together. The conversations they had previously avoided now flowed more naturally, and although they didn't always agree, they had learned to listen without jumping on the defensive.

One afternoon, while playing with Austin at the park, Nicole watched Jarrod from a distance. She saw him laugh, she saw him interact with his son in ways that had previously seemed impossible. That sight brought her a feeling of peace she hadn't experienced in a long time.

But even though things seemed to be looking up, Nicole knew they weren't at the end of the road yet. There were times when insecurities would resurface, times when old wounds would reopen and threaten to destroy what they were trying to rebuild.

One night, after putting Austin to bed, Nicole and Jarrod sat on the couch. They were exhausted, both physically and emotionally, but they also felt a kind of quiet satisfaction in knowing that they had survived another day together.

“I was thinking,” Nicole began, her voice soft but serious. “Maybe we should take a vacation. Just the three of us. “Some time away from all this, to unwind and focus on what really matters.”

Jarrod looked at her in surprise. “Are you sure?”

Nicole agreed. “Yeah, I am. I think it would be good for us to get away for a while. “Just us, no distractions.”

Jarrod thought for a moment before smiling. “I think that's a great idea. In fact, I think it’s exactly what we need.”

As they planned their little getaway, Nicole felt a strange mix of excitement and nervousness. She knew that the vacation wouldn't be a magic solution to all of their problems, but she also knew that it was one more step toward rebuilding their relationship.

And maybe, just maybe, it was a step towards something better.

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