FIGHTING FOR LOVE [SEQUEL TO RUNNING FROM MY HUSBAND]

CHAPTER TEN

Ivy Hughes

Four Years Ago.

Dominic walked into my office, I noticed the slight tremor in his hands, the uneasiness he felt as he tapped his foot on the floor, rubbing his hands trying to relax himself. “Dominic?” I called out softly, “you have to try and open up in our sessions, that’s the only way I can help.”

“I uh… I… Well,” he struggled to form words but I was patient with him, most men find it hard to open up let alone acknowledge they have a problem but that’s why we were here in this room with Dominic who was an alcoholic and a degenerate gambler, “I started going to meetings like you advised.” He finally spoke up.

“That’s good. It’s good to acknowledge every step you take.” I encouraged him, “did you get to share?” I asked.

He smiled, he had been under a lot of pressure and stress and it didn’t help that he had two addictions to battle, “I did actually, I have to admit it felt nice to do that.” He admitted.

“I’m proud of you Dominic.” I offered him a soft smile, “How are things at home?” I asked.

He sighed, “not bad, but not good either.” He somberly said, “Charlotte is trying to stick around but we lost that connection we had.” He sighed again, “I don’t blame her really. I gambled away half of our kid’s college fund and she took the other half to check me into a rehab, which I escaped. I went missing for days, I was lost at the table gambling every possession I had.”

“How about we focus on the positives? Are you living with your wife and kids?” I asked.

He nodded eagerly, “I’m yet to get back to my former self but it feels nice when I can come home to my wife and kids, they motivate me to want to become a better person.” He chuckled, “I also managed to get a job. Actually, Charlotte called in a few favors but I’m putting in so much effort to show her that I want this to work.” He explained.

“That’s nice. It would also help if you could talk to Charlotte about your progress and through that it would help the both of you work through your marriage.” I suggested.

Dominic smiled, “that’s a great idea doc. I was also thinking that maybe hanging out with my friends who support my decision to not be sober would be a great idea. What do you think?”

“I agree with you as long as they understand your journey. As a man most of the time you’d talk to your friends more than you talk to your wife.” I said with a chuckle. We finished the rest of our session and I could tell by the time he left it was as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

By the end of the day I was exhausted, I entered my car and drove home to my cat. I kept wondering why I couldn’t find love but also I was wondering whether after talking to patients all day I wanted to come to do more talking. It felt nice having my peace and quiet at home but we all need love sometimes, I thought.

I got home and did my regular routine, a thirty-minute calming bath with a glass of champagne, most of which I got from my clients who felt satisfied with their progress, a skin care routine, just because I can’t find someone doesn’t mean I couldn’t look good, then cuddle in bed with Luther, my cat, as I read a good book. In short, I was like the classic middle aged woman even though I was in my mid-twenties. I usually didn’t know how I fell asleep I would just wake up to the open book beside me and my cat snuggling close to me.

It was pretty much the same routine every day, I would go to my practice, see my various patients, come home, order take out, take a bath, do my skin care routine then snuggle with my cat as I read a book.

As weeks went by, I kept seeing Dominic who had made quite the progress, I could see how he was starting to come back to a healthy person and he was getting into shape. “I have to admit Ivy; the first time I was assigned to you I was pretty skeptical. I didn’t believe in therapy to help with anything.” He confessed.

I chuckled, “you’re not the first.” I admitted.

“But look at me now, even my friends can’t believe it. And the best part is now I have a new friend. You.” He said making my cheeks flush.

“I would love to be your friend.” I admitted, but looking at the new man he had become; the man I had helped him to be, I couldn’t help but feel a deeper connection with him. I smiled, “it’s sad to see our sessions come to an end, but I’m glad to have helped you and to have come to know you.”

“Me too, but don’t worry. We might meet out there, then we could hang out.” Dominic suggested.

“I would love that,” I said with a smile.

He stood up, he offered to hug me and I could smell his aftershave and how rock hard his chest was and I felt I was swept away being in his arms. I wanted to be there forever, him holding me and never letting go, but I obviously couldn’t. “Goodbye Ivy.” Dominic said with a soft smile as he walked away, but I couldn’t get enough of him.

A week passed, I had told me assistant, Susan not to fill the time Dominic and I had together. I felt like I knew everything about him because we talked about everything, his kids, his job, his friend even his AA meetings. I decided to find Dominic, you know just to see how he was doing and I went to his home and parked across the street. Their window was open, I could see how Dominic was holding his youngest son on his lap while playing with him and he would laugh making me chuckle too. Then the oldest two girls would join them and they would play together, it was a picture of a good family and I could imagine myself there with him, being his loving and caring wife.

What started as me checking to see how he was doing turned into me stalking him. I would follow him everywhere that I knew his routine by heart, I did manage to spare my time every now and then to see my patients but I was mostly focused on Dominic.

I was in a restaurant one day picking up some food when I ran into Dominic and his friends, “Ivy?” Dominic called out.

I looked at him, “Dominic?” I asked in feign surprise. I knew he would be here and that was the only way for me to see him again, “It has been a minute.” I said.

“That it has.” He responded with a smile.

“Hello Dom, introduce us to your hot friend.” One of his friends said.

Dominic chuckled, “of course. Ivy this is David, Jack, Steve and Jeff, guys this is Ivy Hughes, my therapist.”

“Whoa! Hold the phone, this is your therapist?” David asked in shock.

“Yes David. What’s the matter?” Dominic asked.

“She’s smoking hot. How about she joins us?” David asked.

“I wouldn’t want to impose on a group of friends.” I said with the most charming smile I could master.

“No, you won’t be.” Jeff chimed in as he stood up and pushed the chair for me.

I had fun hanging out with Dominic's friends. They told me a lot of embarrassing stories about Dominic when he was battling his addiction. Or even back when he was in college, they were truly good friends.

One of them accidentally let it slide that Charlotte, Dom’s wife, cheated on him while he was still struggling to get through his addiction. “You never told me about this.” I said clearly with concern in my voice.

“Charlotte and I talked about it and we came to an understanding. And besides, we are happier now more than ever and the s*x is amazing!” He jeered and his friends cheered him on but I couldn’t shake the thought of that b***h wife of his cheating on him. She didn’t deserve him at all, I was there for him while she was out there w*****g around. But I will protect Dominic from that w***e because that’s what you do for the people you love.

I followed Charlotte around and I would send her notes like, you’re a w***e who doesn’t deserve what you have or your family would be better off without you. She told Dominic, who was obviously very concerned, and tried to find out who sent the notes, but I was careful not to get caught.

I took a day off the next day. It was finally time for me to do what was best for Dominic and that was by getting rid of Charlotte once and for all. The kids had gone to school, then Dominic left for work shortly after, when I went and knocked on the door.

When Charlotte came to open the door, I pushed the door so hard that it made her stumble back. I entered, then I closed the door behind me. “I don’t know who you are but I think you have the wrong house.” She said as she massaged her face.

“I doubt that Charlotte.” I replied.

“Do I know you?” She asked confused.

“No. But you are about to.” I stated. “You are an ungrateful w***e that doesn’t deserve Dominic. I mean what kind of wife cheats on a husband that’s trying to get his life back on track for the sake of his kids?” I asked as I snickered.

“What happens in my marriage is none of your business lady.” Charlotte said as she moved backwards and I slowly followed her.

“That’s where you are wrong. Unlike you, I care about Dominic. I would never cheat on him. As a matter of fact, I would help him grow, take good care of his children, love him unconditionally, which is something that you don’t know how to do.”

The door opened, “honey, I forgot my…” Dominic said as he entered the house, then he paused when he saw me, “Ivy? What are you doing here?” He asked.

I looked back at Charlotte and plunged towards her, grabbing her by the neck, “I’m protecting you from her.” I bragged as I held the pocket knife to her throat, “she cheated on you but you are a nice man that sees past her misdeeds but I won’t let her hurt you again.”

“Ivy, Ivy, you don’t have to hurt her.” Dominic pleaded.

“You were always so nice and understanding but I’m doing this for you, for us.” I said as I moved the knife further.

“You delirious little b***h!” Charlotte yelled as he head butted me making me drop the knife and stumbled back. I went to reach for the knife but Dominic kicked it away and he grabbed my hands as Charlotte called the police.

“I thought you loved me.” I whispered to Dominic.

“I’m sorry if I made you get that impression, but I don’t.” Dominic said.

The police came. Charlotte wanted to press charges against me but Dominic asked her not to, but they did get a restraining order against me, but that didn’t stop me from keeping an eye out for him. Charlotte noticed me and one day I found that they moved. I tried to find a forwarding address but I couldn’t find anything. I felt heartbroken and I didn’t go to work for days, but I did manage to pick myself up again.

Present Day

I stood opposite the shop as I watched Love, Wayne and Nick enter. I ran to her by chance but when she noticed me, I ducked. I don’t know why, but I just didn’t want her to think I was following her, but I needed to get close to her for the sake of Quin, who is hurting because of her.