Page 45 of Medical Malpractice

“What does that look like, Leo? How do you plan on improving yourself?”

I licked my dry lips, ready to confess. “I’ve been looking into therapists to understand why I reacted the way I did.” Gabriella jolted, eyes making contact with mine for the first time that day. She was surprised, which gave me the opportunity to cautiously pitch my suggestion.

“They also offer couples and family counselling. I think that would be really helpful, for the kids, for us and for me.”

Her gaze drifted back out to the trees, expression contemplative. “I’m happy for you and am proud that you’ve reached this point. I think it’s important that you explore these things individually. I won’t be joining you in this, Leo.”

My lungs deflated. Gabriella continued, taking advantage of my silence.

“The reason I invited you over is because I want the girls to get to know their brother, Austin, and vice versa. All of them deserve to build a connection with their siblings, despite our current situation. We are the last on the priority list. They come first.”

I nodded, grateful for her graciousness in such a complicated situation. Of course, she was right; the kids should always come first. But I didn’t want to hit pause on us either.

“What about you and me?” I asked.

“Your timing is off. I don’t have the energy to invest in you when I’m barely staying afloat myself. We have to concentrate on the kids and what’s most important for them. This will be a big transition, and I want to be fully present to support them.”

That’s when I really took her in. My wife looked exhausted, wrung out and over my shit. Granted. However, that did nothing for the panic that swiftly took me over.

On instinct, I leant forward in my seat, crowding her. Not quite touching, yet close enough to feel her warmth.

“What do you want me to do?” I desperately asked, borderline begging. “Please. I’ll do anything, darling. Just ask.”

“I need you out of the house by tomorrow—”

Huh? That rising panic was immediately swallowed into a black void, alongside my voice. I was shellshocked.

“The girls need to get back into a routine, be in their own rooms, own beds, in their safe space…. And I deserve that too.”

I gulped before I managed a strained whisper. “Of course you do, Ella. I always want you to feel safe.”

“You haven’t made me feel safe in this situation.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, emotion bleeding from me. “I’m going to earn back your trust, darling. I want nothing more than to be your safe place again.”

Gabriella didn’t reply, but I managed to clock a single tear escaping down her cheek before she wiped it away.

“What have you told the girls?” I asked.

“They believe you’ve been working late. Which is not any different to the excuse you’ve been giving the last few weeks. They don’t sense anything untoward, and I’d never turn them against you. You’re welcome to see them anytime.”

My fingers twitched towards her again, so I promptly leant back. I doubted she’d welcome any form of my touch.

“Do you agree to moving out?”

I stared at her side profile, my heart screaming to say no, despite knowing I couldn’t refuse.

My head bowed in defeat. “Of course. I want the best for my family.”

“Your family?”

“Yes. You’ll always be my family.”

She didn’t disagree. Instead, she inhaled a deep, relieved breath that gave me a modicum of hope—a tiny fragment that she’d have to rip from my cold, dead hands.

It was time to win back my family.

Chapter 26