Prologue
The room was filled with silence and tension. Gabriella sat with her legs crossed the ankles, her hands are intertwined against her knee, she had a presence about her, even while sitting down. She wasn't slouching, her back was up straight, her shoulders were back, and her head was held up high. Almost as if she ready to face any opponent that may come her way. Troy, on the other hand, was just as disinterested as the next guy. He leaned against the arm of the sofa, occasionally glancing at his clock, wondering how much longer he would have to sit here to have the same argument that they've been having for the past year.
Their marriage counselor, Dr. Rose Winston, cleared her throat impatiently. She placed her empty notepad aside and leaned forward.
"Mr. and Mrs. Bolton, we've been having these sessions for the past month and both of you just sit here, silent, and give each other passive aggressive looks. You two could've stayed home and saved yourselves some money."
"Well, it wasn't my decision to come. Somebody signed us up without telling me, which isn't the first time this happened." Troy spat Gabriella rolled eyes
"What are you trying to say, Troy?"
"I 'm saying, you never ask for my opinion for anything you just go ahead and do it. We git it, your mom taught you to be independent since your Dad left, but we're supposed to be a team."
"How can I be a team when my husband is never home?!"
"Hey, hey!" Dr. Winston clapped her hands, "We're here to have grown-up discussions not to bicker and point the finger. I'm glad you guys are actually talking, but I would like to know the real reason behind coming to counseling."
"I had an emotional affair." Gabriella said Dr. Winston, let out a breath she leaned back against her chair and grabbed her notepad ready to take notes."
"Okay, how long did that last?"
"Not long—"
"It was long enough," Troy mumbled, Gabriella scoffed
"You see what I deal with? He always wants to have the last word. It's frustrating."
"Troy, let Gabriella talk, go ahead Gabriella please continue."
"Thank you it was six months and as soon as Troy found out I stopped it immediately."
"Okay, so I have a candid question, if Troy hadn't found out would you have continued the affair?"
"Honestly, yes I would have." Troy clenched his fist. Dr. Winston noticed and turned to him.
"Troy, how does that make you feel?" Troy shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't care she can do whatever she wants to do."
"Well, given your sudden change in attitude I think you do care. Be honest with me, Troy how does make you feel?"
"Mad, hurt, betrayed. I spent 13 years with her, we have children. To think that she would continue to risk all of that makes me angry."
"Alright, so Gabriella, why did you start the affair?"
"I think Troy should answer that question." Dr. Winston raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.
"What is that supposed to mean, Gabriella?"
"It means you should ask Troy that question." Dr. Winston hesitantly turned to Troy
"Troy, what is Gabriella talking about?" Troy sighed heavily before answering the question.
"I had an issue with pain meds after my surgery," Troy muttered
"More like an addiction, Dr. Winston, Troy almost lost his medical license because of it."
"Really Gabriella?" Troy questioned, quite irate
"Yes Really, Troy. Let's call it what it was. An addiction! The only reason you can still practice is because you made an agreement with the board to go to rehab."
"Gabriella, that's enough. Troy, can you tell me a little bit about your addiction?"
"U had surgery on my leg and I got addicted to the pain meds they were prescribing me."
"Is there anything else you want to say, Troy?"
"No." He folded his arms and leaned back, Gabriella scoffed at this.
"This is what makes me mad, he acts like he doesn't care when you can obviously tell he does."
"Alright, I want you two to go home and work on talking to each other. Even if it's about basic household chores or the children, try not to bicker and banter. Marriage is about communication, I'll see you next week."
AN; Hey guys, this fic is apart of the "If I Have My Way" series, this is a sequel to "If I have My Way", this fic is replacing "Family Ties". We'll be doing things differently, like Is aid I'm all for constructive criticism, HOWEVER, what we are not going to do is insult my work or my character by making false statements about me. So, if you don't like the way this fic is going already, just click the back button in the upper left-hand corner. I hope you guys like the way this is going, this is a different type of drama than what I usually write so I hope you like it. ALSO, my other fics are on hiatus until further notice. I will continue t update this one and "First Comes Baby?" and I will update that fic this upcoming Sunday. HAPPY READING!