My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Lila

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Dr. Hale was the one who first taught me about how trauma doesn’t make noise; it only whispers when it believes you are finally free.

Sitting in a chair opposite her in a calming blue room with my hands in my lap, my posture perfect.

“You saw him again,” she said in a soft voice.

That wasn’t really a question.

I nodded.

“What happened when you saw him again?”

I looked at the fern next to the window. The fern had just begun to grow its leaves and was truly beautiful, growing unimpeded by fear, and would continue to grow until eventually reaching the window.

“He threatened me again,” I said. “Only, this time, I did not shrink back but I was still a bit scared.”

Dr. Hale leaned forward slightly. “What did that feel like?”

I was searching for the response. My chest was tight with anxiety, but something else was there too; something very deep.

“Scary,” I said. “Then it was empowering.”

She smiled again. “Both feelings can go together.”

I ended up telling her everything that had happened; how Mark kept trying to keep me there with his eyes, how my hands trembled after I got free of them, how Aidan came between Mark and me without hesitation, how good it felt to be held in his arms, to feel secure and safe for the first time, how long he had made up his mind about us before I knew what I would be doing.

“What was your feeling when Mr. Storm protected you?” Dr. Hale asked.

I hesitated as I felt heat rising in from my chest to my neck.

“I felt as though I was safe,” I replied. “But I also felt like I was seen. Someone knew how much I had been hiding.”

Dr. Hale nodded. “Lila, you are learning how to unlearn your survival mode. That takes time. Be patient.”

I sighed in great relief.

After this session, I walked out feeling much lighter and much clearer about myself.

Saturday was the first time in a long time when I felt that I had Saturday to myself again.

10:08 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 37

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The salon smelled of citrus, expensive shampoo and endless possibilities.

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With my eyes closed, I felt warm water flow over my scalp as the stylist used gentle fingers through my thick hair. For the first time, I put my cell phone away, in my bag. There was no Mark, no parents and no reason for any explanation of why I was there. Just me.

As my hair was cut, styled and shaped into something smart and sleek, I watched my image in the mirror. My nails were done in French tips.

After looking at myself, I smiled pleased with the result.

“You look like a CEO’s wife.”

I giggled; “No, that’s not true.”

I looked at my image in the mirror again and said:

“I look like me.”

It was then that I knew something had changed.

I felt the change before I even heard it, the familiar tightening sensation I felt at the base of my spine.

Then Sienna Whitmore’s laugh sputtered out in a very high-pitched, showy manner;

“Oh my god, no way! Is that…..Lila?”

Everything seemed to freeze;

I saw Sienna in the mirror, and she saw me. Her pristine appearance reminded me of when I first met her; she looked as if she was auditioning for an acting role. Her eyes roamed all over my body looking for flaws.

The only one she found was the flaw of laughing out loud.

“Well,” she said, lips curling. “I almost didn’t recognize you. Storm Industries must pay well.”

I smiled pleasantly. “It does. Especially when you’re good at your job.”

A few heads turned. Interest sparked.

Sienna laughed too loudly. “Still pretending, I see. Don’t get carried away. Mark might not be charitable enough to take you back when Storm sees how useless you are.”

I tilted my head. “Hmm, I don’t know how being Mark’s pet that follows him around and fulfills his silly needs must be useful but whatever you say darling.”

Her smile faltered.

“Oh please,” she scoffed. “You were always so sensitive and prude. That’s why he got bored.”

I stood slowly, meeting her eye level.

10:08 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 37

“No,” I said calmly. “But don’t think he won’t easily get bored of you and discard you.”

Murmurs rippled through the salon.

Sienna’s eyes flashed and she laughed. “When I’m not you.”

“Oh honey, you can’t be me. But yeah, serve Mark all your life knowing how unstable he is.”

The room went silent.

Her face flushed. “You’re just jealous.”

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“Am I?” I glanced at her manicure. “How many times has he promised you things he never delivered?”

A stylist gasped softly.

Sienna stepped closer, voice low and venomous. “You think you’ve won or something?”

I smiled, this time sharp. “I think I left something behind and yes sweetheart. I have won.”

I pulled out my card from my purse and walked up to the receptionist and said, “I am going to pay everyone’s bill today, including hers.”

The receptionist blinked.

“Especially hers,” I said maintaining my stare on Sienna.

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