Smoke And Mirrors

Chapter 15

authors note : Nathan hasn't physcially or emotionally cheated on Haley. Rachel has always acted this way with Nathan. But he's never given into her. Haley being off her anti depressants will be a present aspect of her story. And handled in a honest real way. Thank you my readers.

I'm still fighting for peace

I've got thick skin and an elastic heart.

Quitting an antidepressant can cause a variety of symptoms.

Such as Anxiety. Insomnia or vivid dreams. Headaches.

Quitting "cold turkey" may cause withdrawal symptoms. Suddenly stopping your medicine may also worsen your depression.

Hours Later

In the morning

Haley's eyes burned with lack of sleep. Then again for a number of days now. She hadn't slept. She tossed and turned. For hours on end only to wake up with an all consuming head ache.

Every time she tried to close her eyes she awoke from a dream she couldn't stomach for longer then a few sesconds.

She felt like shit. As if she had this ongoing stomach bug.

She needed a shower. And to swallow some kind of food. Because otherwise Taylor and her kids would ask questions and she didn't need that.

"Momma daddy's here!" Austin announced. Coming into his mother's bedroom with a bright smile. His face lit up.

Haley sighed deeply. Burying her face into the pilllows.

"We missed you. Come have breakfast with us." Austin insisted. Once he pulled apart from the hu he had given his dad.

Nathan smiled shyly.

"I missed you son. You being a good boy for aunt Taylor.?" He asked.

"Yep. Momma's said we're on a mini vacation." Austin stated matter of fact.

"Babygirl come say hello. I've missed you." Nathan said.

"I'm going to finish my breakfast in my room and get ready for school aunt Taylor." Nadia proclaimed. Glaring at her father.

As she left the room.

"Why don't you follow you're sister's lead. Finish breakfast in you're room then get dressed. Pick out whatever you want."

"If you need help tying you're shoes just ask her." Taylor instructed.

"What the hell are you doing in my house! Haley asks for some time but of course you can't respect that!"

"What is going on with me and Haley is our business!"

"You and everyone else need to back off!" Nathan proclaimed.

"So you're using this situation as a way to turn my daughter against me. What is wrong with you!"

"It's a relief you never had kids. I would feel really sorry for them!" Nathan exclaimed.

Taylor pushed against him. Which caused him to step back and create space between them.

"When Haley showed up here with Nadia and Austin she was at a breaking point. Because of you."

"So spair me the misunderstood jock routine." Taylor replied.

The echo of a bedroom door opening and shutting caused both Nathan and Taylor to look up and forward.

"He won't leave. I don't want to get the authorities involved but i will." Taylor warned.

"Go ahead and get to work. I've got this covered." Haley insisted.

"All of a sudden you want to fight for our marriage and this family.?"

"I could laugh if i wasn't so god damn angry and exhausted!"

"I gave you my heart. My body. My entire life since i was 17 years old! And yet i still don't measure up or am deemed worthy of you're trust or respect!"

"I'm sick of it Nathan! I have been holding this family down since i wrote Nadia home! All that time you looked into my eyes and lied over and over."

"I have to share you with the world and you're fans because of basketball. On top of that Rachel and the child you share with her is a dark cloud over this marriage!"

"Who were protecting by keeping this secret!"

"I don't feel safe protected or loved."

"I feel like a weight around you're neck."

"Our life a big consequence.!"

"I put you first every day! When have down that for me Nathan!" Haley exclaimed the emotion in her voice thick.

"This constant blame and guilt! Pointing the finger. Making it impossible to be human. I show up for you. I come home to you. I wake up to you."

"Nothing is ever enough! Lydia and you're dad being dead must be such a relief. Because i don't recognize you they would be ashamed to see who you've become." Nathan said.

Haley felt her heart sink. And her stomach turn.

Nathan turned and left the home after that.

Haley felt herself breaking down. And she couldn't stop it.

"It'll be okay momma. You still me and Austin." Nadia reasured her mom. Hugging her tightly.

Haley clung to her children as the tears fell.

...