Bethany Made One Last Attempt to Save Her Marriage

For several days, the same issue had been hanging over the house.

Larry and Bethany’s marriage was in serious trouble.

Their disagreements had grown so intense that Larry had started seriously considering divorce. But Bethany still wasn’t ready to accept that their marriage might actually be coming to an end.

She believed that if she could convince Larry to see a marriage counselor, perhaps they could fix everything.

One evening, she sat down in front of him.

“Larry, please listen to me.”

Larry looked at her tiredly.

“What is it?”

Bethany spoke gently.

“We need counseling. I want us to see a marriage counselor together. Maybe someone can help us work through our problems.”

Larry stared at her for a few moments.

Then he slowly shook his head.

“No, Bethany.”

Bethany looked shocked.

“Did you even listen to what I said?”

“Yes. That’s why I’m answering you. I’m not going to counseling.”

Bethany immediately replied,

“But I want to save our marriage!”

Larry answered quietly,

“And I want to make a decision about my life that I can live with.”

Bethany became silent.

Then she asked,

“So… have you already decided to divorce me?”

Larry didn’t answer immediately.

His silence worried her more than any argument could have.

Bethany Called Her Parents

A short while later, Bethany picked up her phone and called her parents.

“Mom, Dad… can you come over? I really need to talk to you.”

Not long afterward, her parents arrived.

The moment they entered, Bethany explained everything.

“Larry won’t listen to me. I want us to go to counseling, but he refuses.”

Her mother looked surprised.

“He actually said no?”

“Yes.”

Her father nodded thoughtfully.

“We’ll talk to him. Maybe he needs to understand that sometimes a marriage needs outside help.”

For the first time that evening, Bethany felt a little hopeful.

Larry Faced the Whole Family

A few minutes later, Larry entered the room.

He immediately noticed Bethany’s parents.

He stopped and looked at Bethany.

“You called them?”

Bethany answered,

“Yes, because you won’t listen to me.”

Larry took a deep breath.

“Bethany, this is a problem between you and me. Why did you feel the need to bring your parents into it?”

“Because I don’t want our marriage to end!”

Bethany’s father calmly stepped in.

“Larry, we’re not against you. We simply want you and Bethany to try counseling at least once.”

Larry looked at him respectfully.

“I understand. But the decision about my marriage belongs to Bethany and me.”

Bethany’s mother added,

“If counseling could help the two of you, what would it hurt to try?”

Larry answered,

“The problem isn’t that counseling is bad. The problem is that I’m not ready for it.”

Bethany immediately asked,

“Are you not ready… or have you already made your decision?”

Larry went silent.

Brooke Heard Everything

Brooke had been nearby and heard the conversation.

She already knew her parents had been struggling for some time. But tonight, she realized how serious things had become.

She walked over to Larry.

“Dad… do you really want a divorce?”

Larry looked at his daughter.

His voice was calm.

“Brooke, this isn’t your responsibility.”

“But I don’t want to see you and Mom separated.”

Larry sighed.

“I didn’t want things to get this far either.”

Bethany heard him.

Her eyes immediately filled with emotion.

“Then why won’t you give us one more chance?”

Larry looked at her.

“Because one person’s desire isn’t enough to save a marriage. Both people have to be willing to move in the same direction.”

Bethany Finally Realized the Real Problem

Bethany’s father gently spoke to her.

“Bethany, we’re here for you. But you also have to listen to Larry.”

Bethany looked at her father in surprise.

Perhaps she had expected her parents to pressure Larry into going to counseling.

But they didn’t.

Larry walked over to the table and picked up an envelope.

Bethany immediately noticed it.

“Larry… what is that?”

Larry looked down at the envelope.

“Something I’ve been dealing with for a while.”

Bethany’s expression changed.

“Are those divorce papers?”

Larry didn’t answer.

Bethany stepped closer.

“Larry, please answer me.”

Larry finally looked at her and said quietly:

“You want to take me to counseling so I’ll change my decision… but maybe the real question is whether I’ve already made that decision.”

Bethany stood completely silent.

Her parents exchanged worried looks.

Brooke watched her father carefully.

For the first time, she noticed something different in Larry’s voice.

There was no anger.

Only the seriousness of someone preparing to make a final decision.

The envelope was still unopened.

But everyone in the room was now staring at it.

And Bethany suddenly realized that the next morning might bring more than an answer about counseling.

It might bring the answer about the future of her entire marriage.