Page 57 of Medical Malpractice

After what my family and I went through with Nico, I was always hypervigilant with my own girls and their ongoing well-being. Five years later, and they were thriving, displaying no residual side effects from that awful moment. If only I could say the same for myself.

Healing was not linear, as proven with the many ups and downs I had faced on my recovery journey. I also knew Leonardo battled similar demons to my own, as proven by this weekend away.

It was the first time we’d left the children overnight since the incident. Not that Angelina or Celeste cared. They’d barely spared a wave when they raced inside the Thorne family home, desperate to play with their brother and stepsiblings.

It took much courage for me to accept the invitation for that work conference, and even more guts to allow Leonardo to join me.

When I first received the request as an honoured guest, I was sceptical, my fears outweighing my desire to attend. There were too many variables, numerous unknowns that could risk the safety of my family.

However, Leonardo saw my hesitation and was adamant that he didn’t want me missing out on such an amazing opportunity. So I agreed.

We communicated, put plans in place and turned to our support system for help. Everyone rallied around us, providing advice and guidance to ease our anxieties.

And after much planning and reassurance, we finally made it. Alexis and Owen were beyond gracious, sending us regular updates of the kids with photos, texts and voice messages—most of those consisted of straight squealing, but even that managed to fill me with comfort to the point that I was actually able to enjoy myself.

The medical conference was a hit. I’d forgotten how important it was to pursue my wants and be kind to myself. The time away reassured me that it was okay to be a little selfish and take something purely my own.

However, I could not deny that Leonardo played a vital part. If it weren’t for him, I never would have reached that point of acceptance.

He had proved himself over the years. Aside from taking a bullet for his family, Leonardo consistently showed up. He promised to earn back my trust and rebuild my belief in him. With both words and actions, my husband managed to do just that.

As I came to the conclusion of my presentation, the room erupted in applause, a blush rising on my cheeks from the complimentary response. Yet there was one clap that overrode them all, coming from my husband standing in the front row, his beaming grin clearly displaying his pride and respect for me.

The crowd soon dwindled, some individuals lagging behind to ask questions and network. Leonardo waited patiently, busying himself with packing and collecting my belongings.

He had been such a great assistant. It was about time I showed him my appreciation.

The evening was warm, the sky a beautiful array of stars as we walked hand in hand back to our hotel after a delicious dinner.

I was blissed out and probably a bit tipsy as we strolled along the pavement, our weekend coming to a close as we were to return to our everyday lives the next day.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, Ella. You killed your presentation today,” he said, his voice thick with admiration.

“I’m so glad we came! It shouldn’t have taken us so long.” To get away, to take time for ourselves.

Leo raised our joined hands to kiss my knuckles. “It happened at the exact time it was supposed to.”

I giggled. Maybe I shouldn’t have had that last glass of wine.

My husband side-eyed me, a smirk playing on his lips.

“What?” I asked, returning his smile.

“Nothing… I just love seeing you like this.”

“Like what?”

“Happy.” His reply was so simple yet held such a deeper meaning.

Staring into his stormy grey eyes, our entire life played out between us. It was then that I accepted my fate, knowing he was always meant to be mine to the very end.

I licked my lips, deciding to overcome that last barrier between us. To regain what we had lost. “You want to make me extra happy?”

“That’s all I ever want,” he said, all husky and sexy, his eyes tracking the movement of my tongue.

I leant forward, tracing my nose up his neck until my lips aligned with his earlobe, and I proceeded to nip.

He jolted from surprise and, dare I say, desire. And utterly drunk on power, I couldn’t help but whisper, “I’ll be deliriously happy to wake up with your dick inside me, husband. Show me you need me. Show me how desperate you are. Show me you can’t live without me.”