Derek got us the best marriage counselor in Washington. She's expensive, but Derek's willing to spend whatever amount of money he has to to save us and our family. Each session is an hour long, and during our first appointment, we had to talk about what brought us to seek counseling. Derek admitted to his infidelity and the therapist asked what caused him to do these actions.

"She came on to me one night at the hospital when we stayed late working, and instead of pushing her away, I didn't and we kissed." Derek admitted.

"How long has this been going on for?" The therapist asked.

"Not long; three months."

"Not long?" I exclaimed. "Three months is too long!"

"Meredith, take a deep breath." She said. "When did you start having concerns?"

"When he would go days without coming home or answering my calls. He claimed he was busy with work, but- He admitted he knew she had feelings for him but he didn't pursue it; at least that's what he told me. I believed him or at least I wanted myself to. I asked him to find someone else to work with him, and I thought everything would be fine after that... I guess I was wrong."

"Okay, before we start discussing the issue at hand, I'd like to know a little bit more about you both; some history if you may. How long have you been married for?"

"Five years." I answered.

"And how long have you been together for?"

"Eight." I answered again. "We've never had this issue, if that's your next question; at least none that I know of."

"So you were together for three years before getting married." The therapist stated.

"I proposed when I finished my residency." Derek said.

She nodded. "How did you meet?"

"Through my step-dad." I answered again.

"Richard was my mentor through residency, and he invited me over for dinner one night to discuss things; he saw big things happening with my surgical career because I was already very talented early on." Derek added. "I remember Meredith answered the door when I knocked, and I thought I had the wrong house," He chuckled mid-sentence. "Because why would a cute young woman be at his house? Richard appeared from behind her and introduced her to me as his step-daughter." Derek turned to me. "I'm pretty sure I talked more to you that night than to Richard."

"I was actually on my way out when he knocked on the door. I was planning on going out with my friends since Richard had said he was having a fellow doctor over for dinner. Richard said I should meet him but I assumed he was having someone old and boring over so I made plans. And when I saw Derek-" I didn't finish my sentence.

"I was definitely neither."

"Anyways, I ended up not going out." I was trying my hardest not to cry. "Derek asked me out on a date by the end of that night; I said yes, we didn't tell my step-dad, and that's how we began." I told the therapist. "Now we have two kids."

"How old are they?" The therapist asked.

"Four and two." Derek answered.

"So now you see why we're here." I said. "For the kids."

"If the only reason you're seeking counseling is for your children, I can tell you right now just to save your time and money and leave." She said. "You both have to want this for yourself; not your kids, not for your family; for yourself."

"We do want to save our marriage." Derek said.

I nodded in agreement. "We just hit a stump in the road because of Derek's actions. I lost my trust for him and I don't know how to gain it back; I don't know how to look past all this and forgive him."

Our hour session ended and we made another appointment for the following week. I didn't bother talking to Derek after and went straight to my car to drive back to my sister's who graciously watched the kids. Lexie asked me how it went, but I didn't want to talk about it.

During Derek's and my next session I asked him why he didn't end it sooner. He couldn't answer.

"Do you love her?" I asked.

"Of course not. You're the only person I love."

"Then why did you do this; why would you do this?" I cried. "If you love me as much as you claim to, you wouldn't have done this to me and the kids."

"Meredith, I'm sorry. I don't know why I did any of this. I wasn't thinking."

"Was... it me? Was she giving you something I wasn't?"

"Don't blame yourself, Meredith. None of this was your fault. She came on to me and instead of pushing her away, I didn't; I don't know why I didn't."

"Because you liked it!"

There was silence.

"Meredith," Our therapist spoke up, setting her pen down. "Is there anything Derek or I can do to help us move forward? He already admitted to everything, it's now up to you."

"I... I want to talk to her." Both Derek and our therapist looked shocked when I said that so I said it again. "I want to talk to her."

She came to our next appointment. She was sitting in a chair opposite from me and Derek and she was crying as she apologized to me.

I had my arms crossed as I watched her. "No. You don't get to sit here acting like a victim crying. You're not sorry you ruined my family and marriage; you're only sorry you got caught. You knew he was married; you knew he had young children, yet you still pursued my husband not even considering what it would do to his wife; to his children. So if anyone should be crying in this room, it should be me."

"Meredith, why don't you let her talk." The therapist said. "April, I think Meredith would really like to know why; why would you knowingly do what you did?"

She didn't immediately answer. "I never felt this way towards someone before. I thought, I thought he felt the same way."

"I don't know where you got that from." Derek said. "Everything I did was professional; setting time away to mentor you was on a professional setting. I love my wife. I love my kids."

"I know." She squeaked. "But all the nights we spent together meant nothing to you?"

I regretted wanting to sit down and talk with her now.

I thought it'd help make things better hearing her side, but I think it might be making it worse.

I noticed in the last chapter some of you commented that Meredith's mom seems too nice. I feel like if she and Richard ended up together, she'd probably end up being a pretty good mom because she'd be happy with him. IDK, just my thought.

Anyways, remember to leave a review, follow, and favorite if you haven't done so already. Thanks for reading!