Her Husband Didn’t Know her Nanny Cam Was Still On When she Left For Work; And What she Discovered ta – Part 4

I don’t owe you anything. Not my help, not my sympathy, not my time. You made your choices. Derek made his. Now you both get to live with them. and I get to live my life without either of you in it.” Amber stood up slowly, wiping her eyes. “I hope you’re happy with what you’ve done.” “Actually, I am. Now, leave.” Amber walked out and Simone sat down heavily in her chair, her heart pounding.

She hadn’t expected that confrontation, hadn’t been prepared for Amber to come back. And the news about Dererick was disturbing, but not surprising. He’d always had an addictive personality, and when things got tough, he’d always turned to drinking or other escapes instead of dealing with his problems. But that wasn’t Simone’s problem anymore.

She’d meant what she said to Amber. Derek was not her responsibility. If he was struggling, he needed to get help on his own. She’d already given him seven years of her life. She wasn’t giving him one more minute. Still, she felt unsettled for the rest of the day. When she got home that evening, she called Patricia Patterson and told her about Amber’s visit.

Do you think Dererick could be dangerous? Patricia asked, “I don’t know. Maybe.” Amber said he’s been harassing her and he showed up at my work that one time. I don’t think he’d physically hurt anyone, but I can’t be sure. I’m going to recommend you take some precautions. Make sure your doors and windows are always locked. Consider upgrading your home security system.

Keep your phone charged and with you at all times. and if Dererick contacts you or shows up again, document everything and call the police immediately. Don’t engage with him at all.” Simone agreed. She spent that evening researching home security systems and ordered one that would be installed next week.

She also made sure all her windows had working locks and that Sunny’s bark was loud enough to alert her if anyone approached the house. She hated feeling this way, worried, looking over her shoulder. But she also wasn’t naive. Dererick had shown poor judgment before. who knew what he was capable of now. The next morning, Saturday, Simone was at the grocery store when she ran into Dererick’s brother, Tyler.

She’d always liked Tyler. He was a good guy, nothing like Derek. He looked uncomfortable when he saw her, but came over anyway. Hey, Simone. How are you? I’m good, Tyler. How about you? Doing okay. Look, I wanted to apologize for my brother. What he did to you was wrong. Our whole family knows that. I appreciate that. Thank you.

Tyler hesitated, then said quietly. He’s not doing well. I know it’s not your problem anymore, but I thought you should know. He lost his job. He’s drinking a lot. My mom is worried sick about him. I heard Amber came to see me yesterday and told me some of it. Amber? Tyler looked surprised. Why would she come to you? She wanted me to help Derek. I refused.

Whatever he’s going through, he needs to handle it himself or get professional help. I’m not getting involved. I understand. I wouldn’t either if I were you, but I just wanted to let you know in case. I don’t know. In case he tries to contact you or something. He’s not thinking clearly right now. If he contacts me, I’ll call the police.

I’m not playing games, Tyler. I’ve moved on. He needs to do the same. I know. I’ll try to talk to him. Get him into some kind of therapy or rehab program. Our mom is going to try, too. They said goodbye, and Simone finished her shopping feeling even more unsettled. It seemed like everyone wanted her to care about Dererick’s well-being, his mother, Ember, his brother.

But why should she? He hadn’t cared about her well-being when he was cheating on her. He hadn’t cared about their marriage or their future. He’d only cared about himself. Now he was reaping what he’d sowed. And while Simone didn’t wish him harm, she also didn’t feel responsible for saving him from himself. He was an adult. He could figure it out.

That night, she was home with Sunny when her phone rang. a known number. She almost didn’t answer, but something made her pick up. Hello, Simone. Dererick’s voice slurred in thick. He was drunk. I need to talk to you. Derek, you’re not supposed to contact me. I’m hanging up now. Wait. Please, just listen. I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry. I ruined everything.

I had the best woman in the world and I threw it all away for nothing. Ember meant nothing. It was all meaningless. You were everything. You should have thought about that before you cheated on me for months. I know. I know I messed up, but I can fix it. We can fix it. Please, Simone. Give me another chance. I’ll do anything. I’ll go to therapy.

I’ll never look at another woman. I’ll spend the rest of my life proving I can be the husband you deserve. Derek, stop. We’re divorced. It’s over. There’s no fixing this. You need to accept that and move on. I can’t move on. I love you. I’ve always loved you. If you loved me, you wouldn’t have betrayed me.

If you loved me, you would have respected our marriage. But you didn’t, and now it’s too late. Don’t say that. It’s never too late. We can start over. We can. Goodbye, Derek. Don’t call me again. She hung up and immediately blocked his number. Her hands were shaking. She felt angry and sad and frustrated all at once.

Sunny came over and put his head on her lap, sensing her distress. She petted him, taking comfort in his presence. This was her life now. Her and Sunny in her house. See? Peaceful. Free from Dererick’s chaos. She would not let him pull her back in. She would not let his problems become her problems. She was done. Completely. Totally done.

And nothing he said or did would change that. The week before Christmas, Simone’s new security system was installed. It included cameras at all entrances, motion sensors, and a direct line to the police if the alarm was triggered. She felt safer with it in place. even though she still felt ridiculous for needing it.

Dererick had tried calling from several different numbers, but she’d blocked them all. He’d sent emails to her personal account, but she’d set up a filter that sent anything from him straight to trash without her seeing it. She’d cut off every avenue of contact. As far as she was concerned, he no longer existed. Work was winding down for the year.

Simone had closed three more deals in December, bringing her total commission for the year to well over $100,000. Her base salary had increased with her promotion. She’d rebuilt her savings account to higher than it had been before the divorce. Financially, she was thriving. Professionally, she was at the top of her game.

Personally, she was happy. She’d been seeing Isaiah more regularly. Not officially dating, but definitely spending time together that felt like more than friendship. They’d gone to dinner twice, seen a movie, and spent several evenings at each other’s homes just talking and getting to know each other. He was kind, funny, intelligent, and respectful.

Everything Dererick hadn’t been. One evening, Isaiah asked her, “Are you okay? You seem distracted tonight.” They were at his place sitting on the couch with their dogs sprawled on the floor. Simone side, I’m sorry, just my ex has been trying to contact me. It’s bringing up a lot of stuff I thought I was past. Want to talk about it? So she told him, “Not everything, but the basics, the affair, the divorce, Dererick’s current struggles and his attempts to reach out.

” Isaiah listened without interrupting. When she finished, he said, “That sounds really hard, but you know you’re doing the right thing by maintaining boundaries, right? You don’t owe him anything.” I know, logically, I know that, but I keep getting calls and visits from people asking me to help him. His mom, his brother, even the woman he cheated with.

They all think I should care that he’s falling apart, but you don’t have to care. You’re allowed to protect yourself and move forward with your life. You made his choices. You made yours. End of story. Simone felt tears prick her eyes. Thank you for saying that. I needed to hear it. Isaiah reached over and took her hand.

You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. Don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for choosing yourself. She squeezed his hand back, grateful for his support. This was what a healthy relationship looked like. Mutual respect, open communication, support without judgment. She’d forgotten what that felt like.

On December 23rd, Simone was packing for her trip to visit her mother when her phone rang. Tyler again. She answered wondering what now. Simone, I’m so sorry to bother you, but I thought you should know. Derek was arrested last night. Her stomach dropped. Arrested for what? He got drunk and went to Amber’s apartment, started banging on her door, yelling.

She called the police. They arrested him for public intoxication and disturbing the peace. He’s out on bail now, but he has a court date in January. Oh my god. I know it’s bad. Our mom is beside herself. I’m trying to get him into a rehab program, but he has to want help. And right now, I don’t think he does. I’m sorry, Tyler.

I really am. But I don’t know what you expect me to do. Nothing. I’m not asking you to do anything. I just wanted you to know in case. I don’t know. In case he tries to come to your place next, he’s not thinking rationally. He’s obsessed with fixing things with both of you. Please just be careful. I will.

Thank you for the warning. After hanging up, Simone sat on her bed feeling sick. Dererick had been arrested. He was harassing Amber. He was spiraling out of control. And while part of her felt bad for him, a larger part of her felt vindicated. This was who he really was. Not the charming man she’d married, but someone weak and self-destructive who blamed everyone else for his problems.

She called Patricia Patterson and told her what happened. I want a restraining order today if possible. I’ll file the paperwork immediately. Given his arrest and the pattern of behavior, we should be able to get a temporary order within 48 hours. You might need to testify at a hearing for a permanent order, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Do it. I don’t care what it takes. I want legal protection from him. Consider it done. Simone finished packing for her trip, double-ch checked all her locks and security settings, and arranged for a neighbor to check on her house while she was gone. She left the next morning for her mother’s house, feeling relieved to get away from everything.

Christmas with her mother was peaceful. They cooked together, watched old movies, and talked about everything except Derek. Her mother had met Isaiah briefly when he’d stopped by to drop off a Christmas gift for Simone, a beautiful leatherbound journal, and a gift certificate to her favorite bookstore. Her mother approved.

“He seems like a good man,” she said after Isaiah left. “Takes his time. Respects you. That’s what you need. It’s not serious, Mom. We’re just friends for now. But I see how you smile when you talk about him. That’s nice. You deserve to be happy, baby. Simone hugged her mother, grateful for her support.

She’d raised Simone to be strong and independent, and those lessons had saved her through this whole ordeal. She returned home on December 27th to find an envelope taped to her front door. Her heart raced as she opened it. It was the temporary restraining order against Derek. He was legally required to stay at least 500 ft away from her, her home, and her workplace.

If he violated it, he’d be arrested. Good. Simone took the order inside and made copies, keeping one at home, one at work, and one in her car. She hoped she’d never need to use them, but she was prepared. The last few days of December passed quietly. Simone went back to work, caught up on emails, and prepared for the new year.

She was planning to attend a New Year’s Eve party with some friends, and Isaiah had asked if she wanted to go together. She’d said yes. On New Year’s Eve afternoon, she was getting ready for the party when her doorbell rang. She checked the security camera feed on her phone. It was Dererick’s mother, Patricia, standing on her porch holding a casserole dish.

Simone opened the door but didn’t invite her in. Hi, Patricia. Simone, honey, I know you probably don’t want to see me, but I wanted to bring you this. She held out the casserole. It’s your favorite, the chicken and rice dish I used to make for family dinners. I thought maybe. I can’t accept that, Patricia. I’m sorry.

Please just take it. I’m not asking you to forgive Derek or take him back. I’m just asking you to remember that there were good times, too. That our family loved you. That I still love you. Simone felt her throat tighten. I love you, too, Patricia. You were always kind to me, but Dererick and I are over.

There’s a restraining order now. I can’t have any contact with him or anyone trying to contact me on his behalf. I’m sorry. Patricia’s face crumpled. A restraining order? Oh, Simone, what has he done? He got arrested for harassing Amber. He’s been calling me constantly. I had to protect myself. I understand. I do. I’m so sorry my son put you through all of this.

You didn’t deserve any of it. She set the casserole down on the porch. I’ll leave this here. You can take it or not, but I want you to know that I’ll always think of you as my daughter, and I hope someday you can forgive us. There’s nothing for you to apologize for. You didn’t do anything wrong. Take care of yourself, Patricia.

Simone gently closed the door, watching through the camera as Dererick’s mother walked back to her car with her shoulders slumped. It hurt. Simone had genuinely loved Patricia. But she couldn’t maintain a relationship with Dererick’s family. It would be too complicated, too painful. This was a clean break. Had to be.

She left the casserole on the porch and went back to getting ready for the party. Tonight was about new beginnings, about celebrating how far she’d come, about looking forward, not back. She met Isaiah at the party and they spent the evening dancing, laughing, and counting down to midnight with friends. When the clock struck 12, Isaiah leaned down and kissed her gently. “Happy New Year, Simone.

Happy New Year,” she whispered back, meaning it with her whole heart. “This year would be better. This year would be hers, and nothing and no one from her past would hold her back. January came in cold and bright.” Simone started the new year with renewed energy and purpose. She’d set goals for herself, close 15 major deals this year, grow her team, maybe take that trip to Italy she’d always wanted, and continue building her life on her own terms.

The restraining order against Derek remained in place. He tried to contest it at the hearing, but with the evidence of his arrest, his multiple contact attempts, and his harassment of Amber, the judge had granted Simone a permanent order. Derek was required to stay away from her for the next 3 years.

If he violated it, he’d face criminal charges. Simone hadn’t heard from him since. She’d heard through Tyler that Dererick had finally entered a rehab program for alcohol abuse. His mother was paying for it. Simone hoped it helped him, not for her sake, but for his own. Everyone deserved a chance to get better, even Derek.

She just didn’t need to be part of his recovery. Work started strong. Simone closed a major deal in the first week of January, earning a $20,000 commission. Her team was performing well and her boss had mentioned the possibility of expanding her role even further by midyear. Everything was falling into place professionally.

Personally, things were good, too. She and Isaiah had officially started dating. Nothing rushed or intense, just steady and comfortable. He respected her need for space and independence. He never pushed for more than she was ready to give. And he made her laugh, which was something she’d forgotten how to do during the last year of her marriage to Derek.

They went on real dates now. Dinner at nice restaurants, hiking on weekends with their dogs, art gallery openings, jazz concerts. Isaiah introduced her to his friends and she introduced him to hers. Everyone liked him. More importantly, he fit naturally into her life without trying to change anything about it.

One Saturday in late January, they were at her house cooking dinner together. Isaiah was chopping vegetables while Simone made pasta sauce. Sunny and Isaiah’s husky, Kota, were playing in the backyard. It felt domestic and comfortable in the best way. Can I ask you something? Isaiah said, “Sure. How do you feel about your ex now? Like, when you think about him?” Simone considered the question.

I don’t think about him much anymore. Honestly, when I do, I just feel nothing. No anger, no hurt, just indifference. He’s like a stranger to me now. That’s healthy. I think you’ve really moved on. I have. It took work, but I got there and I’m better for it. I learned a lot about myself through that whole experience. About what I deserve, what I won’t tolerate, and who I want to be.

Isaiah set down the knife and turned to her. For what it’s worth, I think you’re incredible. The way you handled everything with grace and strength, that’s rare. A lot of people would have fallen apart or gotten bitter, but you just got stronger. Simone felt warmth spread through her chest. Thank you. That means a lot.

He pulled her into a hug and she relaxed into it. This was what love should feel like. Say supportive, honest, not the chaos and uncertainty she’d had with Derek. In February, Simone made some bigger changes to her house. She hired a contractor to renovate the master bedroom completely. New flooring, new paint, new furniture, new everything.

She was erasing the last physical memories of her marriage. When the renovation was done, the room looked like it belonged in a magazine. clean lines, calming colors, and beautiful light fixtures. It was her sanctuary, and she loved it. She also started a new hobby, pottery classes, at a local studio.

She’d always wanted to try it, but Dererick had mocked the idea, saying it was a waste of time. Now, she went every Wednesday evening and loved getting her hands dirty creating something from clay. She wasn’t very good at it yet, but that wasn’t the point. The point was that she was doing something for herself, something that brought her joy.

Her book club became a regular part of her routine, too. The women in the group were smart, funny, and supportive. They’d all been through various life challenges, and they understood what it meant to rebuild yourself. Simone found community there, something she’d been missing. One evening in March, she was at book club when the discussion turned to forgiveness.

One of the women asked, “Do you think we’re obligated to forgive people who hurt us, like for our own healing?” The group had various opinions. Some believed forgiveness was essential, others didn’t. When they turned to Simone, she thought carefully before answering. I think forgiveness is personal, she said. Nobody gets to tell you that you have to forgive someone.

If you want it, great. If you don’t, that’s okay, too. I don’t think I’ve forgiven my ex for what he did, but I’ve let go of the anger and the hurt. I’ve moved on. Maybe that’s its own kind of forgiveness, or maybe it’s not. Either way, I’m at peace with it. The women nodded, appreciating her honesty. After the meeting, several of them came up to thank her for sharing her perspective.

One woman named Belle pulled her aside. “I went through a divorce 5 years ago,” Belle said. “And I struggled with whether I needed to forgive my ex. Everyone kept telling me I had to for my own sake, but I never did. I just moved on. Hearing you say that makes me feel less guilty about it.