Page 41 of Medical Malpractice

Shit. I was reluctant to admit it, but I felt the same.

“Ditto.”

“Drive safe,” she said before closing the door and departing.

I waited until she made it safely inside her house, then reversed out onto the street.

I was ready to get home and confront my husband with all I had learnt.

Chapter 24

LEONARDO

The house was dark and quiet as I pulled up in the garage, my eyes lagging as they clocked the time on my dashboard. 10:46 p.m.

A mere day had passed since I’d met my son, and I was more confused than ever.

I had been skittish since I found out about his existence, trying to realign all my chaotic feelings that wouldn’t seem to settle. There was a potent nervousness present that wasn’t there before. And Gabriella noticed.

I wasn’t built for lies or living a deceptive double life, but when my wife looked at me with those questioning eyes, it was like survival instinct took over.

I tried telling Gabriella on countless occasions, but each time I went to confess, my faculties seemed to shut down, and I was unable to find my voice and speak my fears and hopes aloud.

I had no intention of hurting her. I loved my wife.

But fear of the unknown had overridden everything else. I felt like I had no control, as if I were drowning beneath the weight of expectation, judgement, guilt, and most of all, change.

The secret I’d reveal would irrevocably alter our lives forever, and although I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to build a connection with my son, I was simultaneously mourning the future I envisioned for myself—one that would never come to be.

Inhaling a deep breath, I hardened my heart and let my former decision solidify. Meeting Austin had shifted something inside me, giving me the breakthrough I needed to clear my schedule for the rest of the week. I’d been neglecting my family for too long, and it was time I sat down with my wife and had a serious discussion.

I briefly held onto the fake belief that, as the main male figure and head of the family, it was my obligation to handle everything on my own.

I never wanted to lay that burden at Gabriella’s feet. I didn’t want to be weak and trouble her with my past.

Irrational? Maybe. However, we weren’t dealing with a rational situation.

In the end, the decision was made for me, as I wasn’t making any progress on my own. I was desperate for my best friend. I sought out her love and support, which could only be gained through honesty.

Gathering my belongings, I exited the car and shuffled into the house. I was dog-tired. Hardly any sleep would do that to you, I guess.

I just managed to dump my briefcase on the bench when a dull light flipped on in the living room. I flinched from the abrupt stimulus, my focus zeroing in on a shadowed figure sitting in the armchair.

“When were you going to tell me?” a clear, feminine voice asked—one that definitely resembled my wife’s, yet sounded completely different, void and unfeeling.

That’s when my thoughts misfired, scrambling to come up with a logical response.

“Tell you what?” I blurted. Nope, not that. Out of the list of moronic replies, that was probably the worst.

“Don’t play me for a fool. You’ve tried doing that for two weeks now. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

“Ella—”

“Don’t,” she said, almost as a threat. I promptly shut my mouth. “Answer the question, Leo. When were you going to tell me about Austin?”

My breath caught. She knew of my son. The spark of relief was short-lived as I took in her demeanour and expression. I’m fucked.

In the end, I went with the truth. “Of course I was going to tell you. I planned to this week. You’re my wife.”