Page 56 of Husband to Go

In fact, it doesn’t. It sounds potentially dangerous with a possibility that I might wake up an entirely different person. Maybe this is why Cheri looked so skittish when I mentioned my new treatment option.

Dr. Fulton steps in to allay my fears.

“I’m sure you’re feeling a little apprehensive, but trust me Kylie, you’ll be perfectly fine. Hopefully, even better after we’re done.

How do I tell him that I don’t want to go through with this? But then, an image of Tanner flashes before me. He’s so handsome with that black hair and piercing blue eyes, but then he’s leaning forward to kiss my mother and there’s a wedding band on his left ring finger. Pain radiates from my heart, and I literally keel over a bit.

“Okay,” is my faint assent. “Let’s do it.”

The doctor directs me to get into the chair. They strap me in and place the electrodes on either side of my forehead.

I see Jonathan flip a switch but nothing happens except for a low buzzing sound.

“The machine is warming up,” Dr. Fulton explains. “You’ll feel heat, but you won’t get that current until we press another button.”

I feel tingling on my forehead, and fear spikes in me. Is this a good idea? Should I really be doing this? Maybe Tanner didn’t get married to my mom. Or maybe they’re divorced already? A girl can hope, right?

But inside, I know that it’s just wishful thinking. Tanner made a conscious decision to stay with my mother, even after taking up with me. I begged and pleaded with him to leave her, but he remained unmoved. He wants her, and not me, and that’s the long and the short of it.

I close my eyes, ready to become a new person. Maybe the electroshock therapy will relieve my pain, and if it does, then it’s worth it.

Suddenly, there’s the bang of the door flying open and Dr. Fulton’s terrified gasp.

“You shouldn’t be in here! We’re in the middle of treatment,” he protests.

I can’t move my head, so I have no idea who Dr. Fulton is talking to. This just makes me freak out more. Nothing can go wrong now, not when I’m so close to quelling the pain.

But then there’s a roar and low growl.

“Get her out of that chair,” a voice spits.

I know that voice. He can’t be here. How did he find me?

“You have no right to mess with my treatment of a patient!” Dr. Fulton squeals.

“Take it up with my lawyers.”

I want to see what’s going on, but it’s impossible to move, and it’s making me extremely nervous. Then come sounds of a scuffle, some banging, and a couple thuds followed by anguished groans. I can’t see the orderlies either, but they don’t respond to my calls.

“Nurse, what’s going on?” I ask in a panic. “Help!”

But then the straps on my wrists are being undone, and it’s Tanner. My heart nearly bursts from my chest. I almost pass out.

He rips the electrodes from my forehead, his expression grim, before helping me sit up. The two orderlies are moaning and groaning on the floor, clutching their heads, while Dr. Fulton is nowhere to be found.

“What are you doing here?” I gasp.

Tanner looks grim.

“Not now, we need to leave.”

I stay obstinately in place.

“Where are you taking me?”

He turns to glare at me, blue eyes flashing.

“I’m getting you out of here, Kylie. Now let’s go!”