My Mother and Husband Both Chose Her Over Me Chapter 04
My phone buzzed with a text from my psychiatrist.
Dr. Naomi Bennett:[Noelle, please come in. Your latest assessment was concerning.
Has something happened recently?]
I washed my face and dressed. Although I had slept all night, every part of me felt exhausted.
As I walked through the hospital corridor, a familiar voice stopped me.
“Noelle!”
I turned and found Serena staring at me. “It really is you.”
She hurried over. Her skin was flawless, and her straight dark hair fell neatly over a cream cardigan.
Although we were both well into adulthood, she looked almost unchanged from the girl I remembered in high school.
“I wanted to apologize,” she said, tightening her grip on the strap of an expensive designer bag. “Adrian told me what happened yesterday.
“I’m truly sorry. We were young.
“I didn’t understand what I was doing.”
My voice shook. “You think being young erases it?”
“Then what would make you forgive me? Do you want me to get down on my knees?”
Before I could answer, she dropped to the floor. People passing through the corridor turned to stare.
“I know I was wrong,” she cried. “I’ve regretted it for years.
“Even while I was with Adrian, I felt terrible for you.”
“It’s been ten years. Can’t you let it go so all of us can live our lives?”
There it was again. Abusers always seemed to believe time diluted their cruelty until one apology should be enough.
“No.” My fists trembled.
Serena’s eyes filled. “Are you really going to cling to something that happened so long ago?
“We both have families now. Adrian and I have a child.”
“Do you have to drag the past into everything and make everyone miserable?”
“Serena.” I clenched my teeth.
“Leave now. Otherwise, I don’t know what I might do.”
I turned and walked quickly toward Behavioral Health.
“Noelle Hart!” Serena shouted.
A hand yanked my arm. I stumbled two steps but managed to stay upright.
Behind me, Serena cried out and fell heavily to the floor.
