Chapter 7
Patrick looked at the dinner table smiling. Pot stickers, steamed and fried, and Schezuan Beef from Robin's favorite place were all set up and she would be here any moment now. He couldn't tell her what was going on but he was hoping to mend some of the damage he had done.
Patrick's work for Victor should be almost done and then he could tell Robin everything and get his wife back. He didn't care who this Zach person was, Robin couldn't possibly feel the same way about him as she did Patrick. Patrick had been trying to get Robin alone for the last 4 weeks and had failed every time, something always came up. Robin and Emma were leaving in two days and then it would be another 5 months before he would see them again. This was his last shot.
He was putting the finishing touches on the table when the doorbell rang. Patrick opened the door to see Robin standing there. "You could have just come in. May I take your coat?"
Robin walked through the door. "I wasn't sure." She shrugged out of her coat and handed it to Patrick. He put it on the chair in the living room and walked her over to the dinner table. "I thought we were going out?"
"I wanted to talk to you and I thought it would be better if we were someplace where we wouldn't be interrupted." Patrick pulled out a chair for her and Robin sat down at the table.
"Ooh pot stickers!" Robin grabbed the box and eagerly filled her plate. "I have missed these."
Patrick laughed at her childlike joy over something as simple as pot stickers. He fixed his own plate and the two of them sat and talked about Emma's time with Patrick while they ate. After dinner Patrick poured them each a glass of wine and they sat down on the couch.
"Patrick, I can't stay too long." Robin was worried about what he might say to her.
"Why? Because of Zach?" Patrick looked Robin straight in the eyes.
"How did you know…Emma." Robin shook her head.
"Yes, our daughter seems quite fond of him. Why didn't you tell me you were dating someone?" Patrick was trying not to sound hurt but wasn't succeeding.
Robin couldn't believe what she was hearing. "I was going to tell you when we saw each other but you made a point of avoiding me. And what right do you have to be upset about this? If I recall correctly you were the one who wanted the divorce – not me!"
Robin stood up and began pacing the floor. "I came home to find you gone and a note, a note Patrick, telling me our marriage was over. You didn't even have the guts to tell me in person. Then you avoid me and, when I finally do see you, you tell me that you are already sleeping with other women. You tore my heart out of my chest and then stomped on it in front of me and you are upset that I found someone to take away some of that pain – really?"
Patrick was horrified by what he had done. He knew that the lie about other women had hurt her but he had no idea how much. "Robin, I wasn't seeing anyone else. There hasn't been anyone since you."
Robin glared at him in disbelief. "What! Why would you do that?"
Patrick tried to cover. "Because I thought it was best for you to be free of me at the time. It was the only way I could think of to get you to sign the papers."
Robin felt sick to her stomach. "So you purposely hurt me in the worst way you could think of? Is that supposed to make me feel better? That you would be that cruel? Because it doesn't."
Patrick stood up and tried to put his arms around her but Robin pushed him away. "No! I cannot believe you. Is this some sort of game to you, playing with my emotions? Or did you find that playing the field wasn't as much fun as you thought it would be so you, what, figured I would be waiting for you? That no other man would be remotely interested in me?"
Patrick ran his hands through his hair. "Of course not – I just didn't think…"
"You're right, you didn't think. You didn't think about the consequences of what you were doing and now you're regretting it." Robin took a deep breath to try and calm herself. "I love you and I know I always will. You are the father of my only child. But I am with Zach now."
Patrick sat back down and put his head in his hands. "Do you love him Robin?"
Robin looked Patrick straight in the eyes. "Yes I do. It is so confusing to me to love two men at once but I can't trust you with my heart anymore. I am with Zach now. I can't say I will be with him forever, we're taking it slow, but unless you can give me a good reason why you destroyed me and our marriage, I can't see ever being with you again. Can you?"
Patrick was about to answer her when his phone rang. He looked at the number and answered. "Yes. Of course. I will see you tomorrow."
Robin looked at him. "Patient?"
Patrick nodded his head. "Robin I…"
"Patrick I can't do this anymore." Robin grabbed her coat and purse and headed for the door. "Keep the house, I found a place nearby for Emma and I to live in."
Patrick panicked at the thought of Robin heading out the door. Acting on instinct he pulled Robin into a deep, passionate kiss. At first Robin responded but she quickly pulled away. "No, Patrick. You don't get to do that anymore." Robin tripped in an effort to get away from him and her purse spilled open.
Patrick bent down to help Robin pick up the mess and noticed a picture of Robin and Emma with Zach. He held the picture up to Robin, almost shaking. "Who's this? Is this Zach?"
Robin looked at him strangely and snatched the picture from his hand. "Yes."
Patrick stumbled over his words. "How much do you know about him Robin?"
"I don't believe you. I know him well enough to trust him. Look, my parents ran a full background check on him through the WSB. If they aren't concerned, then you shouldn't be either." Robin finished stuffing everything back in her purse and ran to the door. "I have to go. My mom will bring Emma by to say goodbye tomorrow."
Robin ran to her car while Patrick sat back down on the couch in shock. "What have I done?"
