The Echo of our Love

h a knife. Nicholas sat there, a picture of normalcy as he scrolle

m going from woman to woman, still clear in my mind. But

ntion. "You had a great time last night," Nicholas remar

plied, my voice devoid of its usual deference. "I hope

large gulp of coffee, the clink of the cup agains

alm but firm. "Should I talk about the way you were pr

ment erupting in his eyes. "Those women are business own

on't think so. "I'll keep that in mind," I said coolly,

What are your plans for today?" He asked with something

night? Part of me yearned to rip into him, to tear his carefully constructed facade to shreds. I contemplated

y flat, omitting the details of my appointment. I don't have

d, a flicker of suspici

of his own medicine. "Dearest husband," I drawled, savoring the way his

is face was satisfying. The feeling might be

to amaze me" he retor

g to. "Enjoy your breakfast, Nicholas," I said, pushing back my chair. "I have a very important appoi

blouse, the bright outfit is a shade of the blossoming hope in me. This therapy appointment

ahead wouldn't be easy, but I was finally ready to walk i

keup, a perfect shield I'd been using to cover up. But today, I chose to apply a

ation unfolded before me. Today is my first day with my therapist, a woman

the universe seemed to have a different plan. The first song, about undying love, grated on m

not what I craved, filled the void with a melancholic beauty. The lyrics, dr

a yearning that had been buried deep for far too long. It was a painful truth, a remi

s therapy session wasn't just about fixing my marriage, it was about rediscovering myself, the woman beneath th

lf, the strongest foundation for any love story waiting to be written. I pulled into the familiar parking lot of the therapist's office. This wasn't the

Nicole. Dr. Vic is expecting you." She directed me down a hallway adorned with a

nce and pushed the door open. A man, probably in his early thirties with kind eyes framed with well

entrusting with my deepest vulnerabilities, was supposed to be a woman, I thought. But here, in the

c." He said, his deep voice cal

woman........ Vic as in Victoria" I stammered. I don't want to sou

n Victor" he said calmly. "Please, have a seat. We can discuss your concerns, and if y

. I'm fine with you." I told

ming. Maybe, gender wouldn't matter. The important thing was finding someone who could tru

o the chair across from Dr. Vic. "This might be unconventional," I said