I don't think he should withhold any of his feelings on account of her reactions at all. Be careful how he states them, perhaps. Withhold or sugar-coat, no. His feelings are what they are, not something he's consciously manufactured. The way she handles his feelings is not his responsibility, it is her problem to deal with. As long as he is withholding those feelings, there is going to be a level of mistrust and the relationship isn't going to move forward. By putting his feelings out there, in a loving way mind you, and not rescuing her from them he forces her into growing as well.
I'm going to take a controversial and opposing position on this. Chrome is withholding his feelings for a reason. I believe he has a LOT of anger in him, and if he lets it all out, he will blow like a volcano and he could do irreparable damage to the M. He has stated many times that he is afraid of his anger. I take him at his word. The problem is that holding in his anger causes him to hold in his feelings.
It may be possible to express his feelings without letting loose of his anger, but that might be walking too fine a line. I think Chrome needs to directly confront his anger, work through it however he needs to, and put it to rest. I also think he needs to level with his W on what he feels, what he is angry about, and what his plan of action is so she does not get scared or runs away.
As long as Chrome holds onto this anger, he keeps himself boxed in a catch 22 with no way out. Express the anger and her fears his wife will withdraw more or leave. Hold in the anger to save the marriage and he has to wrestle with his internal demons.
So Chrome, when are you going to have some heart to heart talks with your dad?
