Page 28 of Medical Malpractice

We submitted a statement to the police, which didn’t go far as his attempts at contact were considered innocuous, despite my misgivings.

It didn’t help that Nico would go radio silent for long periods. If anything, those were the worst times. My defences were always on high alert, waiting for him to pop up again.

Everything came to a head when we had our secondborn. Shortly after Celeste’s birth, Nico levelled up his stalking, driving by our house, keeping tabs on Gabriella’s whereabouts.

When we managed to catch him on our security camera, I had never experienced such fear in my life.

I wanted to hurt him in the worst way. Instead, I had to settle for a flimsy restraining order. Following that escalation, Gabriella wanted out, and I couldn’t have agreed more.

After calling in a few favours, it wasn’t hard to get a transfer, and soon after, we found ourselves starting over again with renewed safety and reassurance, far away from him.

As I looked at my family in our new home, I knew we had made the right move.

Five months later…

A perk of relocating to that city was the expansion of our surrounding support system. Gabriella now lived near her friend, Daisy, and we had made fast friends with her close circle, including her partner.

Angelina took some time, although she was starting to enjoy herself, bonding with other children and settling into school. My beautiful girl was adjusting, and I was beyond grateful to see childlike excitement returning to her eyes.

In five months, we had grown as a unit, embracing the fresh lifestyle and thriving with the changes. My workplace was also welcoming and proactive. I had recently been invited to speak at an upcoming medical conference as an honoured guest.

Daisy offered to watch the girls so Gabriella and I could go on our “boring date” to some “work thing”. I was reluctant, at first, but my wife always knew how to sway me. With Daisy’s background, no one was going to breach that gated community. And as soon as Angelina caught wind of staying with her favourite aunty, there was no going back.

That was how I found myself driving into the city, my hand tenderly squeezing my wife’s knee, enjoying the sensation of her against my skin.

“Thanks for accompanying me, darling. I can’t remember the last time we were out on our own.”

Gabriella caught my lust-filled gaze and bit into her lip. “Definitely overdue. I’ve missed you, husband.”

My fingers tentatively traced up her inner thigh. “Maybe we should ditch the convention? Get a hotel… while I worship your body. Show you how much I missed you.”

My wife shivered but stopped my roaming hand with her own. “You made a commitment, Leo.”

I whined. “But—”

“But if you want to leave straight after your presentation, I can’t stop you,” she said, raising my palm to press against her breast. “In fact, once you’ve completed your obligation… you can then fulfil your duty to me.”

I licked my lips at the thought of having Gabriella all to myself. With two young kids, moving homes and settling into a new job, we were in dire need of alone time. And I was more than happy to oblige my first love.

“Put the timer on, darling. Because as soon as I walk off that stage, I’m putting all my effort into my next task.”

“Mm. And what’s that?”

“You.”

Chapter 17

GABRIELLA

Alright, so maybe things didn’t go according to plan.

The first day, we roamed the conference, popped into various presentations and networked with like-minded people. Of course, Leonardo was widely recognised as he was well respected in the field of vascular neurology. So, when he finished his lecture, he was immediately asked to do a second one the following day.

With minimal convincing from my husband, we booked a hotel room right next to the venue and stayed in the city overnight, much to Daisy’s encouragement.

Day two had slowed as we lounged in bed, making the most of our remaining time together. Leonardo had well and truly kept his promise, my body aching with satisfaction after a blissful night of debauchery.

He was now in the shower, preparing to leave for his second appearance—on no sleep, I might add.