Yawning, I leaned back on the sofa, Dominic waiting for me to answer his question.
I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.
"It's just shitty right now. It's not... I'm not—"
My eyes landed on him and he tilted his head.
I had told him about that one suicidal thought like I had promised George to do, and now he was asking me the same thing.
If I wanted to die.
It was a tough question. It really was. When George asked, it was tough and now when Dominic asked, it was just as tough.
"You're not what?"
"I'm not doing it." I said. "I am married, I've got kids. Me having that thought, isn't fair on any of them."
"Mothers can be depressed too." He said. "And with your past, it doesn't surprise me."
I sighed.
"I'm not depressed."
"Why do you say that?"
I shrugged.
Why did I say that? How could I be so sure? I wasn't a professional at mental health.
"I think we need to stop our sessions." He said, causing me to look at him.
"Why? I need therapy if I need to stop ruining my marriage."
"Yes, you do need therapy." He said. "But I don't think I'm the right person. It's too personal with Dove being my sister."
I leaned back on the sofa, running a hand over my face.
"That's why I said yes to therapy. Because I know you."
"Sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger. It'll help you more in the long run." He said. "I want to write you up for a group."
Group?
I stared at him, not knowing what to say. I was waiting for him to explain further.
"Group therapy has been proven to be effective for a lot of people. You'll be a group of about ten people who all suffer from depression. It's all people from the wizarding world so there is nothing you can't talk about."
"You want me to go to group therapy?" I laughed.
"You don't seem open to the idea." He said. "You don't seem open to a lot of things."
I licked my lips as I rested my elbows on my thighs.
"According to my husband, my worst trait is being stubborn." I said. "But fine. I'll do group therapy if you think it can help me."
"That's great." He smiled at me. "I'll sign you up and when there is an available group, you'll receive a letter with all the info."
We said goodbye and I left, taking a deep breath as the cold air hit me in my face.
Leah's birthday was tomorrow. George and I had presents for her that I would give her at school. Hopefully she would like them.
I walked down the streets of Diagon Alley, my hands pushed into the pockets of my jacket.
I wanted to visit George at work shortly before I picked up the twins from Inez and Dove's place.
As I pushed the door open to the shop, the bell rang, earning the attention from Fred who stood nearby, talking to a customer.
He finished the conversation before he made his way over.
"Hey princess." He smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, I just got back from therapy and I wanted to see George quickly before I went home." I said. "Is he in his office?"
"George?" Fred asked. "George isn't here. He called in sick this morning."
I stared up at Fred as my expression changed. I looked towards George's office, then looked up at Fred again.
That couldn't be right.
George got ready for work this morning. I always had this day off due to therapy so I had stayed in bed a little longer while he got ready.
He even kissed me goodbye before he left for work.
Why had he called in sick and not told me?
"Did you not know?" Fred asked, snapping me from my thoughts.
"Uh— I must've forgotten." I said, forcing a smile. "I should get going then. I have to pick up Mia and Liam."
When I went to turn away, Fred placed his hand on my arm to make me look at him again.
"Is everything okay?" He asked. "With George? He's called in sick a lot in the past month and when I call and ask him about it, he won't talk about it."
I let out a breath.
"Yeah, he's— he's okay. I'll get him to call you tonight, okay?"
Fred nodded and let go of my arm, smiling gently at me.
"Okay."
After I picked up the twins, I went home. I cut them some fruit and they settled in one of the living rooms, Amelia with some paper and coloured pencils, and Liam with Amelia's dolls.
He had his own but he loved stealing hers and she didn't mind.
While waiting for George to get home, my mind was racing.
He had lied to me for weeks and I didn't know why. I didn't know what he was doing when he said he was at work but really wasn't.
And why on earth could he not even tell Fred the truth? Because he definitely hadn't been sick. The last time he was sick was when he caught a cold a year ago.
He rarely ever caught anything and living with him, I knew when he was sick and when he wasn't.
Then around six in the afternoon, I heard the front door open and then close again, followed by shuffling out by the door.
I left the kitchen where I had been standing with my tea. I put the tea down before leaving, then walked out to where he was.
"Hey." I said, causing him to look up and smile when he saw me. "How was work?"
George put his jacket on the wall before he walked over to me, brushing my hair away from my shoulder. He rested his hand against my jaw and leaned down to kiss me.
"It was fine." He shrugged. "And therapy?"
I stared up at him, trying to read him. He was so good at lying. It didn't look like he was, but Fred said he hadn't been at work, that he had called in sick.
"I'm starting group therapy instead." I said. "Dominic thinks it'll be more productive."
George smiled weakly.
"Yeah? I'm guessing you started by saying no."
His eyes scanned my face. The smile stayed on his face and I kept questioning how he could come home and act like this when he had been lying to me.
"I laughed when he suggested it." I said, and George let out a small chuckle before he pressed a kiss to my forehead. "But then I agreed to it. I want to be happy."
