The Wife's Redemption

Chapter 1:Danegerous Questions Surface

Ellorie Dare waited for her husband to be discharged from the hospital. Three hours waiting for doctors to run pointless tests that would end with nothing was exhausting. Drea over reacted over the fact his chest was hurting and had called 911. Turns out it was just heartburn, and an antacid would have sufficed.

Devyn was furious, as he stood in the corner, glaring at her as the nurses finished their final check. After finishing she told them she would be back with a wheelchair to wheel him out and Dominik struggled to comply with that. Once the nurse left, Devyn walked toward Dominik and sneered, “Your wife is poking her nose in where it doesn’t belong.” he accused.

Dominik looked at Ellorie, “Is that why you were late?” he questioned only ignoring Devyn’s fury.

“Late,” Devyn practically yelled. “Do you know where I found her lurking about?”

“I was not lurking,” she tried to defend herself but Devyn took it as a challenge.

He took a step towards her, “Is that so?” he challenged her, causing her to tentatively take a step back away from him.

Dominik did not tell Devyn to stop, but he did interject, causing Devyn to stop.“But you were not here,” Dominik said, his voice colder than Ellorie was prepared for. She could not decipher if he was angry or putting on a show for Devyn.

“She was sneaking in to see Valerie,” Devyn said sarcastically, “nothing good will come from that.”

“Devyn,” Dominik turned to his son, “Leave. I need a moment alone with my wife.”

Devyn stomped towards the door, “Tell her to stay out of Damon’s way. The last thing we need is him digging into our past.” with that he slammed the door causing it to vibrate and Ellorie to flinch.

She waited cautiously, unsure why Domonik needed to talk to her alone. She stared down at the floor counting scuff marks as she waited for Dominik.

He did not speak right away, but slowly stood up from the hospital bed and walked over to his wife. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder which instinctively caused her to look up. Her body noticeably relaxed as she determined he was not angry with her. “I wanted to warn her,” she whispered.

“Warn her about what?” Dominik looked confused as he questioned. “Do you know something I don’t know?”

Ellorie shook her head, “It’s not that,” she answered calmly, “I just wanted her to stop digging into our past.”

“You think she is?” he questioned with a sound of edge.

“She asked me about Ashlynn?” she whispered and he lifted her chin.

“What about Ashlynn?” he demanded quickly.

“Nothing specific,” she answered.

“Keep it that way,” he replied. She could tell by his tone it was not a suggestion. “What did you go to warn her about, Ellorie?”

Ellorie thought how best to reply. She knew she should make something up. The truth would hurt Dominik but she couldn’t bring herself to lie. That was beneath her. “I told her being a wife did not mean she was safe, and that she should let it go.”

“You should have just stayed out of it,” Dominik replied.

“I just…” she exhaled loudly, “I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

“Why would you assume that she will get hurt?” he asked curious as to what his wife thought she knew and if he should be concerned for her.

Ellorie half chuckled, “Maybe because she already has.”

“Well, I suppose she was in the hospital after all,” Dominik said, “But you did not know about the fire, before we came to the hospital. How did you even know she was there?”

Ellorie looked away. “You won’t like that answer.”

“Perhaps not,” he chuckled, “but tell me anyhow.” he replied as an order even if he did not say it in anger.

“I overheard a conversation at the house,” Ellorie confessed.

Dominik's face morphed into anger over this, “How many times have I warned you, Ellorie, about listening in on others' conversations? Did you even think about what could have happened if someone would have found out,” Dominik replied, raising his voice as he went and by the time he got to the end was partially shouting.

“Don’t shout at me,” Ellorie raised her voice in defiance, “I know the risks.”

“I don’t think you do,” Dominik moved towards her. “If you did you would not keep defying me.” he caged her in. “You would stop eavesdropping on conversations which have nothing to do with you. It’s dangerous, Ellorie, you don’t understand the risk if you overhear the wrong person.”

She put her arms up to push him back, but could not budge him, “I know more than most.” she shouted back, not willing to back down. “I know you will not always be there to protect me.”

“Obviously not,” Dominik answered, “Who were you listening to?” he questioned inches from her face.

Ellorie closed her eyes and did not answer right away.

“Ellorie,” Dominik ordered, “I asked you a question, and I expect a response?” He waited, letting the silence grow and build to an uncomfortable level.

“Drea,” Ellorie breathed out.

“Drea,” Dominik repeated and then pulled back, “How did Drea know about the fire?”

“I thought you didn’t want me listening,” Ellorie replied with a smile and a twinkle in her eye.

“Well you already did that,” he huffed as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Spill it.”

“If you insist.” Ellorie smiled. “I was in the library and Drea walked in on the phone. She never saw me, but was on the phone with her boyfriend. She thinks no one knows about talking about the fire at the Dare mansion and how everyone was safe, except for rumors from the house about Valerie being in critical condition.” Ellorie explained.

“Was she in critical condition?” he asked.

“From what I could tell she looked fine, but I do know they were worried about a baby?”

“A baby” Dominik repeated and laughed. “So my nephew is expecting a child with his wife afterall.” stopping to laugh harder he added, “I wonder how his mistress will feel about that? Does Damon know you were spying on him too?”

“I was not spying on anyone,” she laughed, “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

“Well, stop being in those places," he said sarcastically.

“Damon did not know I was there,” she added quickly.

Dominik laughed, “And you think Valerie won’t tell him that you were there.”

“Is that a problem?” Ellorie questioned. “We are family after all.”

“Family,” Dominik chuckled. “My nephew won’t see it that way.”

“I have given him no reason to suspect anything,” Ellorie replied.

“Showing up at a hospital without being asked to come is reason enough.” Dominik added, “You don’t know how Damon will respond. I don’t know how Damon will respond and I would rather not have you sucked into the middle of it.”

Ellorie was a little angry, “But it is okay for Drea and Devyn,”

“They are old enough to make their own choices,” Dominik huffed.

The door to the room opened and the nurse rolled in a wheelchair. He turned to the nurse, “You have to be kidding me. The last thing I need to do is be wheeled out of here.”

The nurse shook her head. “ Hospital policy.” she smiled.

“I don’t care what the policy is,” he responded bitterly.

“When you are wheeled in here on a stretcher, you are wheeled out in a wheelchair. Unless you would like to stay the night.” The nurse replied sarcastically as she waited for him to decide.

Ellorie tried to hold in her laughter as she watched Dominik take a seat. She gathered his belongings and followed the nurse out pushing her husband who could not have been more displeased.