Infidelity Pt2. (Return to Sender)

Infidelity Pt. 2 - Return to Sender

By Cindy Johnson / Edited by @OffRoadDiesel

Tags: #Revenge, #Violence, #Pain, #Humiliation, #Over-the-Top, #Strippers, #Reconciliation

Preface : I try not to write follow-up stories and felt the last one was good on its own, but after 48 emails requesting some answers, I decided to write this last chapter.

Suggestion : If I were you, I wouldn't read this chapter of the story as it has Violence, Psychological Trauma, and an Over-the-Top theme. I'm sure this part will get some interesting comments by the Anons'. You've been warned ????.

Eighteen months after the divorce

As Julie stepped out of her car at midnight, the frigid Chicago wind slammed into her like a wave of icy needles. That night, the temperature had dropped below zero and she was exhausted from the long drive, but the cold air woke her up and she focused on her plan. It was the end of the 12-hour drive from Atlanta when she checked into the small, nondescript motel, just a short drive from her final destination.

For the last eighteen months, Julie's life had become a living hell. She blamed Mikal for her divorce and held a deep hatred for him, but took no blame upon herself. She was convinced that if he hadn't sent that damn letter, her marriage and life would be normal, as if nothing ever happened. The saying, "No harm - No foul," played in her head.

Eighteen months ago, her happy life was turned upside down by Mikal's ruthless action of sending that confession letter to her husband. She couldn't understand and wondered what kind of man does that? In her mind she believed that that one action was cruel and was pure evil. She now lived alone in a small studio apartment and had to find a job to make ends meet. When her friends found out about her affair, they abandoned her and ghosted her on social media, leaving her alone with only her aging mom and dad there for comfort.

Living in misery in her new life without the man she loved, her anger toward Mikal grew. She became obsessed with making him pay for ruining her marriage. After months of looking for him, she found Mikal. The PI she hired had all the information, and shortly after that, she called his number at work.

Sitting comfortably at his desk, Mikal wasn't expecting her call and assumed that after all this time that his plan had not worked. He had hoped her marriage would fall apart after her husband found out about the affair and that she would track him down right away.

Casually, as if taking any other call on his business line, he picked up the phone and said, "Hello, this is Mikal."

"You bastard!" Julie let out in an angry voice, unable to suppress her feelings.

He smiled as he instantly recognized the voice. "Julie, is that you? I was hoping you would track me down."

"Why?" she screamed into the phone. "I need to know why you did that. Why would you send a letter exposing the affair to my husband? You knew what he meant to me and how much I love him. You destroyed my marriage, and my life has turned to shit, all because of you!"

"Calm down, Julie. We had a good thing, and I know you wanted me. I mean, as much as you told me you loved your husband, you sure loved the sex with me. I'll be honest, I sent that letter hoping to blow up your marriage and see if he would leave you, so that we could be together. This is good, you and I make a great couple, and now we can be together."

It took her a few seconds to take that in and started yelling even louder, "Are you fucking out of your mind? Are you insane? I want nothing to do with you! My life is a disaster, and it's all because of you. I hope you die! I hate you!" she said, screaming into the phone.

He let out a long laugh after her outburst. "You're blaming me for your mess? I never forced you to cheat on your husband. Yeah, you always felt bad after we made love, but why did you keep coming back? I'll tell you why! You liked my big cock, and how I fucked you. Yes, I know, you love your husband and how he makes you feel with all that tender love bullshit. You know, I had to hear you say that over a hundred times, and each time I heard it, it made me sick."

He hesitated before he continued, "But Julie, you need to admit it to yourself that you enjoyed the way I pounded you into the mattress and used you like a rag doll each time we fucked. That's why you kept coming back, you loved getting fucked the way your husband couldn't. Julie, you're beautiful and a good lay, and I hoped he would leave you, and it worked. I thought you wanted us to be together, but now you call me all pissed off and wishing me dead. You're angry that I fucked you so good you couldn't get enough. Well, fuck you. Don't ever call me again." He slammed the phone down and leaned back in his chair, wondering if his plan was doomed from the start. He would just have to find another sex-crazed married woman, which was easier than the dating game.

When Julie heard those words and he hung up on her, something broke inside her. Right then, she knew he was right, and that's why she kept going back to him. She needed to discuss it with her therapist to sort things out, but in that moment, she was so furious at him that she promised herself she'd get revenge for ruining her life.

The investigator she worked with was thorough, and she now had his work info, his home address, and the places he visited. That same night, she followed him after he left work to a strip club on the other side of town. She stayed back far enough not to be seen and parked on the far side of the parking lot until he went into the club. She then found a parking spot between the club and his car, lying in wait to confront him and enact her revenge.

Two hours later, she watched him leave the bar, and that was when the rush of adrenaline overtook Julie. She got out of her car just as he walked past her and then quickly moved in behind him. She thought her original plan to confront him was a good one, but her rage took over. She swung the aluminum bat she brought with her, hitting him in the back of the head, instantly dropping him to the asphalt, unconscious. The 18 months of anger were about to become unleashed on the man she blamed for her divorce. After six or seven more blows to his body, Julie calmly turned, got in her car, and drove out of the parking lot back to her hotel, took three sleeping pills to try and calm down, and woke up the next day around noon from the maid who was pounding on the door.

Mikal was rushed to a Chicago hospital in critical condition. The fire and rescue ambulance screeched through the city's streets, its siren a piercing wail that drilled into his skull. Blood crusted on his torn shirt, and a deep gash across his forehead throbbed with every heartbeat. As he drifted in and out of consciousness, each breath sent a white-hot stab through his ribs, the pain so unbearable it blurred his vision. Fear clawed at him, fearing his ultimate demise.

In brief moments of clarity, Mikal mumbled to a police officer. He recalled a phone call that morning, Julie's sharp, venomous tone promising he'd regret crossing her. He believed his attacker was either Julie or her husband, though he'd never spoken to the man, making Julie the main suspect. The officer leaned closer, his pen hovering over a worn notebook. "Did you see the attacker?" he asked, his voice weary from too many nights like this. Mikal admitted he hadn't seen anyone, his mind fixating oddly on the paramedic's crooked name tag - 'Jerry' - anything to distract from the pain.

The ER was a blur of shouting doctors and beeping monitors, but Mikal felt alone, strapped to a stretcher, under harsh fluorescent lights. With little evidence to go on, the police promised to investigate, but in Chicago, where distant sirens blended into the city's restless pulse, crimes like this were all too common. The officer's-tired eyes looked up at the clock as he told Mikal he was lucky to be alive.

The investigators did a tertiary investigation on Julie and her husband, just using their last names and the city they lived in, but quickly had a hit using her license plate number from the DMV file, along with the car travel history from the toll booths over the last 48 hours. It was easy enough to track down Julie's movement and arrival in Chicago the night before, and she became the main suspect. After the police had gathered more evidence, they sent out a warrant for her arrest, and a week later, after being returned to Chicago, she was sitting in a downtown jail, waiting to see the judge.

Julie was scared and all alone; she had nobody to help her and felt her once happy life slipping further into that black hole that she created. Her parents were in their 90s, and she didn't have the heart to involve them, as they were in poor health. The only person she could call was her son, Brian. She hated to do it, but finally called him for help and cried into the phone, telling him where she was. Of course, Brian was upset and scared for his mother and told her to stay calm and not to talk to anyone except an attorney, and reminded her that the phones in the jail might be recording whatever she said.

After spending the night behind bars with eight other women, she had a chance to meet with a court-appointed attorney before the arraignment. The next day, with the advice of her attorney, she pleaded innocent and said nothing to the police. The bail was set for $75,000, and not having a way to put up the bail bond, she awaited trial in a jail cell, all expenses paid, courtesy of the City of Chicago.

After Brian got the call, he acted immediately, reaching out to his dad for help.

Thomas saw Brian's name light up on his cell and was happy to get a call from his son, but before he could talk, Brian blurted out in panic, "Dad, mom's been arrested and is in jail!"

"Brian, what are you talking about? Slow down."

"Dad, Mom's in jail. She was arrested for assault and battery, and the City of Chicago judge set bail at $75,000, and mom has no money. You have to help her!"

Thomas sat there in disbelief and needed a few seconds to comprehend what he was hearing.

"Brian, why is mom in Chicago? That makes no sense."

"I don't know, she wouldn't tell me; all I know from my call to the police station is that she attacked some guy by the name of Mikal Sidorov."

Thomas's blood ran cold hearing that name, as it brought back so much pain and bad memories. He sat straight up in his chair and ran his hand through his hair and took a deep breath.

"Are you sure? I mean, that's crazy."

"Dad, mom's been a mess since the divorce. She has mood swings now, almost bi-polar, and full of anger. Do you know anything about this guy? Wait, is this the guy she had the affair with?"

"Look, we don't need to discuss that now. What do you want me to do? You know we're divorced."

"Come on, dad. You know you still love her, and my God, she still misses you badly. She's been a hermit and never been with anyone since you left her. Dad, after all your good years, she needs your help. Do this for me, and let's help mom."

"Yes, Brian, I still love your mom, but we've been apart for almost 2 years. I'm not sure she would even want my help."

Brian cut in, his voice firm, shutting down the petty argument. "Enough. Step up and do what's right. Call the precinct, arrange Mom's bail, and get her home. We're helping her--together."

Trying to sound tough, he replied, "I'm doing this for you, Brian, after all, she is your mom."

"Whatever, just do it. I know you don't want anything bad to happen to her."

"How bad is the guy she attacked?"

"Apparently, he's still in serious condition with a bad head injury. They now have him in an induced coma until they can relieve the pressure on his brain. They think he'll pull through, but she beat him up pretty badly. I never knew Mom had it in her."

"Brian, you'll learn that people can do the unexpected. That's one thing I learned from my failed marriage."

"Dad, I'm sorry, I know she hurt you, but she still loves you and misses you. She always talks about you in the present tense, like there's still a chance you'll take her back. Look, can you call me back when you've made the arrangements?"

Thomas met with the attorney and then paid the bail money, and then got permission to bring Julie back home to Atlanta until the trial. Later that night, she was released into Thomas's custody.

JULIE

After 2 days in jail, I just wanted to disappear. I screwed up my life and hurt so many people. I just want to fall asleep and never wake up. My life had become a living hell ever since that day. That asshole destroyed my happy life, but one thing he said hit home. I kept going back, and he's right, it was for the sex. I had never felt that type of aggression with Thomas, and for some reason, I needed it, almost like a drug. I never loved Mikal; I knew he was an asshole, but he did things to me that I now regret. I'm so confused. Now what do I do? I might go to prison for what I did, and I have nobody I can turn to for help.

Being locked up with the other women made me realize how low I had fallen and how I devastated my once happy life. In a split second, I went from being the happy housewife to being locked up with prostitutes and drug addicts. I guess I deserved this. Maybe it's God's way of paying me back or just Karma. Why is the guard calling my name?

"I'm Julie," I responded.

"Your bail has been posted; you're free to go," the guard said without any expression. Just another day on the job, I guess. I wondered who bailed me out. I have nobody who cares for me, other than Brian, but he doesn't have that kind of money. I hope Brian didn't call my parents.

When the guard pointed to the sign-out desk, my heart stopped when I saw Thomas standing there. I couldn't control myself and ran into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He held me for several minutes, until I calmed down and stopped crying into his shirt. He didn't say anything and just pointed to the desk to sign some papers. Every fiber in my body was excited and felt alive again. I hadn't felt that way since that night. My man was back and taking me home. We got into the rental car, and I reached for his hand.

"Thomas, thank you for helping me. I had nobody to turn to, and I wasn't going to my parents, so I called Brian. Did he call you?"

Shaking his head, he asked, "What were you thinking? Did you want to go to jail for the rest of your life?"

Crying again, I answered in a low voice, "I don't care anymore. Ever since I destroyed the best thing in my life, I just want to crawl into a hole and die. Maybe prison is what I need."

"Did you really attack that guy?" It was obvious to me that he didn't want to say his name.

It took me a moment to respond. "Yes, he ruined my life, and for the last 18 months, I tracked him down and wanted to confront him, but when I saw him, all I wanted to do was kill him for what he did."

"Please tell me you didn't say that to the police or anyone else?"

"No, the one thing the public defender told me was not to say a word or answer any questions. So, how did you know I was in jail?"

"Brian called me. Your attorney had his number; I guess you filled out some paperwork, and he took it upon himself to contact him. Brian called me and asked me to help you."

I smiled and asked, "And you did this for me?"

"I did it for Brian. And I guess, you as well."

For the first time in so many months, hearing him say that gave me some hope, "What do I do now?"

"Well, I will take you home, and we'll get you the best attorney we can find. After you meet with them, we'll figure things out."

"Can I stay with you? I don't want to be alone?" I couldn't believe I asked him that, but it just came out.

After a long silence, he said, "You can stay in Brian's room for now, and we'll figure things out together." This time, when I grabbed his hand, he didn't pull away. Holding it tightly, I was afraid to let go.

The Ride Back Home

After retrieving her car from the hotel, they dropped off his rental car and then started the 12-hour drive back to Atlanta in her SUV. During the long drive, Thomas had her tell him the entire story up until the moment he bailed her out. He asked if anyone saw her at the bar or in the parking lot, and she told him it was dark and didn't think anyone saw what happened. She felt safe for the first time since the divorce and realized everything she had missed about this man. How he took care of her, how he handled all the problems, and was always there for her, even now, after she betrayed him in the worst way only a wife could do by her stupid and selfish actions. She still loved him dearly and prayed for a way back.

On the drive home, she got him to finally loosen up and talk to her like old times. She even got him to tell her what he'd been up to since the divorce. Julie was happy to hear how his business had flourished and surprised to hear about all the travel he'd done during that time. He hinted about spending time with some lady friends, but out of respect, didn't give the details. It was clear that Thomas had handled the betrayal and divorce a lot better than Julie. She frowned and wondered if there was any room left in his heart for her.

They arrived home safely, and Julie slept for 14 straight hours in Brian's old bed, feeling safe and finally home. It was the best sleep she had since finding his wedding ring and letter from Mikal on their bed that tragic night.

During this time there was no romantic connection and they were just sharing the house, as roommates, as they tried to find a way out of this mess.

Julie's Week Ahead

The following week, I met with Dr. Davenport, the therapist I'd been seeing during my depression. I told her the things Mikal said about the rough sex, and that triggered her to start asking numerous questions about my youth, and if there was ever any family history of sexual abuse.

I told her no, but she wasn't convinced. In fact, she felt there was something deep-seated that caused my personality disorder with Mikal, as it was so out of character. She recommended a colleague that specialized in regression hypnotherapy. I thought she was kidding, but realized she had a strong feeling there was something in my past.

She arranged an appointment in her office for the next afternoon, and I met Theresa Bradley, an older woman with a calming personality. We spoke for several minutes, and then started the session. The last thing I remembered was her telling me to count down from 10 to 1, but I didn't remember anything after the number 9.

When I woke up, I was surprised to see that almost an hour had passed. Theresa said we had a successful regression, and for the next thirty minutes, I was face to face with a ghost from my past. Something I had hidden deep inside my soul, never to remember. But now, it all came back to me in full living color.

At the age of 15, there was a gym coach by the name of Ryan Ritter, who was always staring at the young girls. One day after cross country training, he cornered me in the locker room and raped me. I felt sick as I remembered how rough and painful it was for those few moments, and how it made me feel. I remember that I was too embarrassed to tell anyone and just took a shower and ran home. When mom asked me what was bothering me, I lied and said I was tired from the training. I cried for days, and instead of facing what happened, I refused to think about it and forced myself to forget it. The trauma was buried for decades, until today.

Dr. Davenport explained that the rough sex with Mikal brought back feelings that caused me to blame myself for that rape so many years ago. In her most professional explanation, she referred to the syndrome as Trauma Reenactment.

She went on to explain: "Trauma, particularly sexual violence, can profoundly shape a person's relationship with their body, sexuality, and sense of control. One possible explanation is the concept of trauma reenactment or repetition compulsion, where individuals unconsciously seek to recreate aspects of their trauma in an attempt to process, master, or gain control over the original experience. For some survivors, engaging in rough sex may feel like a way to reclaim agency over a situation where they once had none. By choosing rough sexual experiences as an adult, the individual may be attempting to rewrite the narrative of powerlessness, transforming a traumatic memory into something they can control or even find pleasurable."

She held my hand as my tears started from hearing the reason for my actions. She continued, "And as crazy as it sounds, you may have re-lived it and turned it into something pleasurable to hide the pain you've kept hidden. What happened wasn't your fault, and you need to forgive yourself. The mind is a funny thing, and one never knows how things play out in real life, especially after so many years of suppression. It explains everything and why you kept going back. Going back time and time again was not your fault. But we still don't understand why you went to him in the first place. Were there any similarities to the man that raped you? And what happened to him?"

"Well, Coach Ritter was found dead at the side of the road, and the killer was never found. I'm guessing now that he must have raped another girl and paid for his sins with his life."

"What about my other question? Were there any similarities?"

"Now that you mention it, they both had blond hair and were good-looking, powerful men. Do you think that had something to do with my attraction?"

"Possibly. It would answer a lot of questions, especially since you never had an attraction to any other men outside your marriage for all those years."

"Oh my God, this answers so many questions. Thank you for all this. Now, how do I explain this to Thomas and get him to take me back?"

Thomas - Legal update

We hired a good attorney, and after several meetings, came up with a strategy which put pressure on the Chicago DA to either come up with real evidence placing Julie at the scene or drop the case.

All the Police investigator found was that she stayed at a nearby hotel, and since she refused to answer any questions, they had nothing. Just her being in Chicago was not going to be strong enough to get a conviction. Without evidence or witnesses, the case was circumstantial at best, and the DA realized that unless they could place Julie at the scene, this was going to be an unwinnable case. They had tried to offer a plea bargain, but our attorney knew there was no case and told her we could go to court and have them prove she was the attacker.

A month later we got word that they dropped the charges against Julie, but she remained a suspect because the case was still open. At that point, we knew that unless some evidence turned up, Julie would not be charged for the attempted murder they were going for. That was the last we heard from the police, and the department ended up calling it an attempted robbery by an unknown assailant and placed in the unsolved case files. Eventually, the statute of limitations would run out before the case was ever solved.

Mikal suffered permanent brain damage to his motor cortex, which resulted in some loss of motor skills and additional damage, which caused aphasia, which affects speech and comprehension from the severe beating, but he did survive the attack. He spent each day with anger, knowing in his heart that Julie was his attacker and got away scot-free. Mikal now had to live with that knowledge as he struggled with his new disabilities. Normal hand and facial movements became erratic and spasmodic, and slurred and slow speech caused people to look at him strangely.

In the end, Mikal had to leave his job and live on meager disability income, which barely covered his bills. Mikal was no longer a predator or a threat to married women and he would have to live with only the memories of a relationship, or having sex with another woman for the rest of his life. The letter he wrote to her husband confessing their affair, backfired and cost him dearly. He never heard from Julie again.

Back in Atlanta

After some protest from Julie, she moved back to her small apartment.

Thomas said, "Julie, we're divorced, and we have separate lives now. Your run-in with the law is over, and it's time for both of us to get our lives back to normal. I was happy to assist you, but now you need to go back to your home."

"But Thomas, we've been getting along so well over the last month; can't I stay a little longer and maybe we try to work things out?"

Looking down at the floor, he responded, "No, Julie, that ship has sailed the moment you stepped out of our marriage. We both need to create new lives, and living here with you won't be the right thing to do. Besides, you have your own place and your own life now."

She didn't give up, "I understand that you hate me; all I can say is I never, for one second, ever, wanted to see you hurt, and I know that's exactly what I did. I need to repay you for everything, but right now, I don't have much money. Can I pay you back for the attorney and the bail money over time?"

Thomas waved her off. "Julie, forget it. I can afford it, just consider it a gift, my way of thanking you for all those wonderful years we had before... well, just before, you know."

"Okay, I'll leave today, but please reconsider my one request, to come to one therapy session with me, for me? I really need you to understand some things I learned."

"I'm not sure; let me think about it."

Therapy

Of course, being the loving man Thomas was, he gave in and attended a session with Dr. Davenport after several pleas from both Julie and Brian.

Julie knew that this was her last chance and had never been so nervous in her entire life. Her future with the man she loved was on the line and in the hands of Dr. Davenport and the good will of Thomas. She prayed he would be open-minded and not dismiss what he was about to hear.

She wore the dress he had bought for her on their 20th anniversary dinner celebration, and she wanted to look perfect for him. Thomas came into the room, quiet and unassuming, and sat next to Julie on the plush leather couch across from Dr. Davenport.

Therapist discussion to Thomas

Dr. Davenport started the session saying, "Thank you, Thomas, for being here today. I know this is a significant step, and I appreciate your willingness to listen and hopefully engage in our conversation. My role is to provide clarity about Julie's experiences and help foster understanding about what contributed to challenges in your marriage, particularly around her behaviors and relationships. This is about offering insight, not assigning blame, and creating confusion."

She waited before continuing, "I've done a great deal of research on this subject, and I'll first explain it from a scholastic, professional viewpoint and then follow up with a more understandable explanation."

Pointing to a folder on her desk she said, "I've taken the time to write this up for a submission to a medical journal on the subject of trauma reenactment, and I'm hoping it gets published. Julie's story is an extreme case, which I believe will help the scientific community and others like her."

Thomas remained silent, taking in the seriousness of Dr. Davenport's presentation. He was now curious where this was heading as the doctor continued, "Julie has been doing courageous work in therapy to understand herself and her past, and she's asked me to share important discoveries to help you make sense of what happened."

Julie was clearly nervous as she fidgeted with her hands, "What Julie never told you, or anyone else, is when she was 15, she was violently raped, a deeply traumatic event that left lasting psychological and emotional scars. We discovered recently, during a regression therapy session, that she hadn't fully connected this trauma to her adult behaviors and choices. Sexual trauma at such a young age can profoundly shape how someone navigates relationships, intimacy, and even their sense of safety. For Julie, this trauma contributed to a pattern that led her to become involved with another man who, years later, abused her in ways that echoed her original assault. This also played a role in her developing a compulsive pattern involving rough sex, which ultimately impacted your marriage."

As if lecturing to a college class she looked at Thomas, "Let me explain how trauma can lead to such a situation. When someone experiences a violation such as rape, especially as a young person, it can disrupt their sense of self-worth and safety. The brain's stress and reward systems can be rewired, making intense or familiar experiences, like those resembling the original trauma, feel compelling, even if they're harmful. This is often called trauma reenactment, where someone unconsciously gravitates toward situations that mirror aspects of their past trauma, not because they want to be hurt, but because it feels familiar or offers a sense of control over something that once felt uncontrollable.

"In Julie's case, the trauma made her more vulnerable to someone who replicated that abusive dynamic. Survivors of sexual abuse can sometimes struggle with boundaries or recognizing red flags, especially if their self-esteem has been eroded by the original trauma. An abusive person might exploit this vulnerability, presenting themselves as familiar or safe in ways that resonate with the survivor's past, even if subconsciously. For Julie, this relationship wasn't about rejecting you or your marriage; it was a manifestation of unprocessed pain that drew her into a harmful pattern she didn't fully understand at the time. Her engagement in rough sex stemmed from similar roots: a need to reclaim agency or cope with the lingering effects of her assault.

"Julie is now working diligently in therapy to heal, process this trauma, and build healthier ways of relating to herself and others. She deeply regrets the pain this caused you and your relationship. She wanted to share this with you because she cares about you and hopes this explanation helps you understand that her actions weren't a reflection of your love, but a consequence of a trauma she's only now beginning to unravel."

Thomas was visibly shaken by the doctor's explanation and sat there wide-eyed, waiting for more. With a serious expression and looking directly into Thomas's eyes, Dr. Davenport said, "I know this information might be overwhelming, and it may stir up a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, or confusion. Those feelings are completely valid, and this is a safe space for you to share what's coming up for you. Julie and I both hope this can open a path toward mutual understanding, and she's open to exploring what that might look like, whether it's rebuilding something together or finding closure."

After a long, quiet moment, Dr. Davenport asked, "Thomas, what are you thinking or feeling right now? There's no pressure to respond immediately, but I'd like to hear where you're at, and we can move forward at your pace."

He tried hard not to react to all the feelings running through him at that exact moment. The anger toward the man that raped her, Mikal, and Julie herself caused him so much pain. As Julie leaned into Thomas, crying, his heart started to melt as he held back his own tears.

In an angry voice, he spoke, "I'll tell you how I feel. I'm angry. I'm angry at the asshole that did this to her. I'm angry at Mikal for taking advantage of her, and I'm angry at Julie for doing this to us, even though I realize it wasn't consciously her fault. I'm angry at myself for the way I treated this situation, and I feel like I've let her down. Right now, I'm confused, upset, and heartbroken."

Hearing his words, Julie broke down even harder in tears. Those words made her even more emotional, and she held Thomas even tighter, sobbing uncontrollably. The doctor gave him a reassuring smile and motioned for Thomas to comfort her.

Twenty minutes later, she was finally able to sit up as the tears finally subsided. Thomas wanted to kill the man that raped her, not caring that it was so many years ago, and he would be an old man by now, but when he learned that he was found dead in a ditch, his anger eased, being replaced by a strange feeling of satisfaction.

Julie looked up into his eyes and asked, "Is there any way you can take me back? I know I'm broken, but I need you. I love you so much; I don't want to live without you." She broke down again, and he held her as the doctor looked on and smiled at Thomas.

Thomas, being a strong man, realized so many things in that moment. He knew he loved her and could almost understand what caused the affair. Could he take her back?

--------------

He did allow her to move back home that night and placed her in his bed. There was no sex, only a gentle hug as they were both drained of energy from the difficult therapy session. He held her close, and they fell asleep as one, for the first time in almost two years.

It took a while to reconnect; the relationship was slow and clumsy at first, then it improved over time. They didn't attempt any love-making for the first few weeks, only a slow reconnection as Julie, as well as Thomas, healed from all the events that took place since the divorce.

Time has a way of healing old wounds, and one night, after weeks of walking on eggshells, Thomas gave her a heart-warming kiss, which led to a tender moment as their hands roamed over each other, then an intense love-making session. Slow at first, it turned into several hours of beautiful love-making as they reclaimed their lost intimacy.

After a few weeks, things seemed to be much better, and their sex was as good as ever. Julie was thrilled to have her man back and getting the tender love she missed so dearly. Thomas was also happy, but still had lingering thoughts of her rough love-making sessions that she apparently craved.

Mistakenly, he believed she still needed them, and it angered him that he wasn't able to give that to her, until one night that disappointment turned into anger, anger at himself for not being all the man she needed. His ego convinced him that he needed to give her the rough sex she found with Mikal.

That night, when she walked into the bedroom, he took control, ripping off her dress and pushing her down onto the bed. He quickly climbed on top of her, pinning her down and roughly pushing inside her pussy even as she protested.

"I can be rough too; here, take it, bitch," he yelled out, releasing the anger and hurt that he kept bottled up for the last 2 years. He pinched her nipples hard, slapped her ass, and left bite marks on her breast as she cried and just waited for it to be over. Thomas continued, now driven by the feelings he had kept bottled up deep inside.

Just when he was about to cum, he pulled out of her, and moved up on the bed just in time to release a massive load of hot, sticky cum all over her face and hair. Her eyes were covered and closed with the warm cum as it dripped off her face. He felt all the anger and energy finally release from his body, but just as quickly felt terrible for what he had just done. This wasn't love, it was all hate and revenge, which immediately filled him with guilt.

Julie was distraught, crying uncontrollably as he sat next to her, trying to calm her down. He realized this wasn't what she wanted, and quickly got a warm washcloth and cleaned her face, ran his fingers through her hair attempting to soothe her emotions, but Julie was beyond calming down and just rolled up into a fetal position, letting out cries of deep pain for the next few hours until she finally passed out and fell asleep. He covered her up with a blanket and sat up all night watching her sleep, making sure she was going to be okay. He was full of regret and guilt for treating her that way, and realized he may have caused damage to all the therapy they'd been working through.

The next morning, he brought her breakfast in bed and tried to explain why he did what he did, thinking it was what she wanted. In a defeated voice, she spoke quietly, telling him that what she needed was just the opposite from him, and that all she craved was his love, his tender touch, and gentle love-making. The rough sex was more of a punishment caused by the trauma and had the opposite effect.

They both saw the therapist, who explained to Thomas that Julie needed his love, not the rough sex. She went on to explain that in her mind, she craved it from Mikal as a punishment for something she thought she did wrong and deserved. She also explained to Julie what Thomas was going through and what he was thinking, how that motivated his actions.

Thomas realized it was his weak ego and the pain he still carried that prompted him to do that, and vowed to never do that again. It wasn't an easy road for either of them, but after many months of therapy and understanding, it appeared the worst was behind them.

5 years later

With over 175 guests at their son's wedding, and with Julie standing by his side, Thomas gave a heart-warming speech to the bride and groom. When he finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the entire room.

"Good evening, everyone. My amazing wife, Julie, and I are honored to stand here today, surrounded by family and friends, to celebrate Brian and Candy as they begin their incredible journey together. As Brian's father, I've watched him grow into the remarkable man he is today, and seeing him here, so full of love and commitment to the woman we now call our daughter, fills our heart with pride.

Marriage is one of life's greatest adventures: a beautiful, messy, and transformative ride. It's a promise to walk side by side, not just through the sunny days, but through the storms as well. Julie and I have been on this road for many years, and if there's one thing we've learned, it's that every marriage faces trials--moments that test your strength, your patience, and your faith in each other. Those challenges don't define your love; they shape it, making it deeper and more resilient if you face them together.

The secret to getting through those tough times isn't perfection or avoiding mistakes; it's communication. Honest, open, sometimes painfully vulnerable communication. It's about listening with your heart, even when it's hard, and speaking the truth with kindness. As many of you know, Julie and I stumbled and went through Hell together, but we survived and are still madly in love to this day. The wisdom we are sharing is that Communication and Trust are the foundation of a good marriage; always be true to each other, and remember, love always wins.

Brian, Candy, you're starting this journey with so much love and promise. Our advice to you is simple: keep talking. Share your dreams, your fears, your joys, and even your frustrations. Build a space where you both feel safe to be your true selves. When life throws curveballs, and it will, lean into each other, hold tight, and trust that your love, rooted in open communication, can weather anything.

So, let's raise a glass to Brian and Candy. May your marriage be a tapestry of laughter, growth, and unwavering connection. May you face every trial with courage and every joy with gratitude. Here's to a lifetime of love, built on the words you share and the hearts you hold. Cheers!"

... and they all lived happily ever after.

"The paradox of trauma is that it has both the power to

destroy and the power to transform and resurrect."

- Peter A. Levine

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