My Husband Wants Me Dead novel (Esther and Bradley)

The psychologist, Bethany Hackett, observed Bradley as he fell into deep contemplation in response to her words.
Without disturbing him, Bethany allowed Bradley the space to ponder the question at hand.
After a prolonged silence, Bradley slowly raised his gaze to meet Bethany’s. “I hope she’s alive.”
Bethany’s words had prompted Bradley to seriously consider the question. He vividly remembered the car plummeting off the
cliff, the engulfing flames, and Esther being pushed into the incinerator. All signs pointed to Esther being dead.
Nevertheless, Bradley persisted in the search, convincing himself that she was still alive.
“Let me ask you again. Do you think she’s alive because you believe it will alleviate your guilt?”
Bradley looked at Bethany and shook his head. “No. She’s a cunning woman who’s good at acting.”
Bethany maintained a gentle gaze on Bradley until his voice gradually subsided.
“Do I have a psychological disorder?” he asked.
With understanding, Bethany replied, “In this day and age, having a psychological disorder is not something shameful. If you
cooperate with the treatment, you can recover quickly.”
“How do I get treated?”
Bethany explained, “The first step in treatment is accepting reality.”
“Accept reality?” Bradley’s gaze chilled slightly. His heart began to ache uncontrollably as he grasped the implication—accepting
the reality that Esther had left this world. “What if I don’t?”
Bethany met Bradley’s gaze with a smile and encouraging eyes.
“The past has already happened. You can’t stop it. If you keep dwelling on the past, your life will stagnate.” Bethany didn’t waver
in the face of Bradley’s intense, almost menacing gaze. “Of course, this is just my suggestion. Whether you want to follow it is
entirely up to you.”
Bradley felt completely relaxed in Bethany’s office, both mentally and physically. This psychologist, unfamiliar to him, responded
to Bradley’s questions from a neutral standpoint.

“Dr. Hackett, do you think I should take full responsibility for her death?”
Bethany didn’t anticipate this question from Bradley. She calmly replied, “I’m a psychologist and don’t provide answers with any
bias.”
“You’re avoiding the question. In essence, you’re saying her death is my doing,” Bradley commented.
Bradley didn’t expect Bethany to answer all his questions. However, Bethany’s evasion strongly suggested that everyone
believed Esther’s death was linked to him. It was him. He had pushed Esther into an irreparable abyss.
Bethany stood up and took a doll from the nearby bookshelf.
“From my standpoint, any man who bullies a woman is a coward.
“A true hero faces his own life instead of bullying a defenseless woman.
“If you ask whether your wife’s death is your fault, disregarding my role as a psychologist, I would say yes.
“Because you had countless chances to stop, to let go.”