Page 46 of Medical Malpractice

GABRIELLA

Since everything had been revealed, life turned into a whirlwind.

Group chats were made, and plans were set in motion.Three weeks later, we were on our way to the local water park, a popular spot for kids of all ages.

The Thorne family chose to come to us, travelling from their hometown to meet up in the city, which had Leonardo excited but apprehensive.

We’d sat Angelina down a couple of days before, and she took the news surprisingly well, offering that she always wanted an older brother. I was proud of my seven-year-old, the beautiful girl we’d raised, and I had to step out to have a private moment. Leonardo found me in the hallway, wrapped me in his arms and cried alongside me. The joint cleansing was surprisingly cathartic.

I now peeked at the man in question, both hands on the steering wheel as he pulled out of our driveway. He had been staying at a nearby motel, which you wouldn’t have guessed, based on how often he was at the house.

Over a fortnight had passed since our blowout, and in that short amount of time Leonardo had checked back in, cutting his hours at work and refocusing on the family. Chores, groceries, school pickup, homework—he was all over it.

Leonardo also opened up all forms of communication, constantly updating me of his whereabouts and plans, fully transparent, leaving no room for misinterpretation. He also included notes from his new therapist and his recent counselling sessions. My husband was definitely thorough.

I never returned his messages unless it was in relation to the girls, but I could feel myself wavering with each incoming text.

His efforts were noted, each action tallied with a tick against his name, which left behind a bitter aftertaste, flipping me back into resentment soon after.

I wanted to hate him for his efforts, to believe that he did those things to gain favour, but even I couldn’t convince myself of that.

He was merely being the Leonardo I was used to, the reliable husband and father I had loved for most of my life. These actions were not new or in retaliation to my ultimatum. If anything, he was slipping into the same role he had always played. Leonardo was merely being himself.

So why did you fail me? I internally asked, glancing at his slicked-back peppered hair and his pouty mouth that I craved and missed.

My heart was still in tatters from his keeping secrets, and I was terrified to even contemplate how we’d navigate through the wreckage.

Leonardo was my constant, the one I could fully rely on. And based on his reasoning, I could even accept that he didn’t intend to hurt me. However, the end result still remained the same—in a snapshot moment born from emotion and shock, he had managed to annihilate my trust in him completely.

How do I come back from that? How do I rebuild my trust in him? How do I get rid of this resentment building up inside me? Do I want to?

I loved my husband. Was in love with my husband. Still, was that enough?

I didn’t know the answer. But I was finally willing to find out.

I’d been contemplating his former proposal of couples counselling and had begun researching for myself, wanting to be fully informed before I jumped into that level of commitment. I wanted to be strong, look at the scenario from all angles and make a decision based on logic rather than feelings, since that had always failed me before.

It was the perfect time to test that theory. As we closed the distance to our destination, Leonardo grew more tense. My gaze fell on his bouncing knee and the white-knuckled fingers digging into his thigh—the only outward tells that he was internally losing his mind.

Feeling a little pity and a whole lot of understanding, I reached out. I may have been angry at him, but his pain still had a direct effect on me.

Leonardo flinched when my hand skirted over his shaking one. Then he gasped in disbelief when I tightened my fingers around his. Grey eyes locked on mine, filled with gratitude, hope and love.

I panicked and blurted, “Eyes on the road.”

He gulped and shifted his gaze forward, unable to hide the tears gathering in his lash line.

I’d meant to provide a kind gesture, a small offering to calm his nerves, but the subtle action had transported us back to a previous time; a hotel room, lying on a bed, where the only point of contact tethering me to the earth was his hand in mine.

For the rest of the drive, Leonardo held on tightly, acknowledging my offering and accepting it for what it was.

I’m here for you.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect, scattered with sun, swimming and children’s laughter.

Alongside Austin, the Thornes brought their four-year-old, Adam, and two-year-old, Olivia, their lively presence welcome.

The kids bonded and became fast friends, their innocence shining through, too excited to enjoy the water park to worry about complicated adult stuff.