Dawn in Vancouver

Chapter 54: "It Hurts Me to Love You" (Part 1)

TRIGGER WARNING: ABUSE, BLOOD

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"Me duele amarte sabiendo que ya te perdí tan solo quedara la lluvia mojando mi llanto y me hablara de ti".

"Me Duele Amarte" Reik

"Did you hear something?" Lauren asked, taking a few steps towards the house and Ryan stopped her by the arm.

"It's nothing," Ryan answered, looking her in the eye, "We're talking, Lauren and nothing else matters right now. I want you to be honest with me and tell me what's going on. Why are you like this? You seem so cold and distant to me."

"Things aren't right Ryan," Lauren said softly and took a deep breath turning and looking into Ryan's eyes. She had shared so much with him. He was a wonderful man who had been with her through the hardest of times and had supported her through everything.

Ryan had been like her light in the darkness. He had been her company, and Lauren had become so used to him, to his presence that when they had intercourse one night when they shared a dinner, it felt natural. He was an attractive man who she could tell was interested in her as more than a friend.

What had started as a friendship had changed from the moment they had decided to sleep together. Ryan had been her first time with a man and she didn't dislike it, on the contrary, it felt good. Then had come the dates and finally a year ago they had gotten married. And Lauren at that moment knew she had jumped the gun.

"What things aren't right?" Ryan said, stroking her cheek. "Lauren, you know I've always been there to listen to you and I would never judge you or hurt you. Talk to me and please be honest. Talk to me truthfully and tell me what's going on. Did I do something to upset you?"

"The problem isn't you Ryan," Lauren whispered. "The problem is me and I don't know how to tell you. I don't know how to start."

"The beginning is always a good way," Ryan said softly and walked over to his wife. "Do you want us to find a place to sit?"

Lauren nodded and Ryan smiled at her, taking her hand to help her move through the snow to find a place to sit as they moved farther and farther away from the house. The two were going to talk and Lauren felt like that could possibly be her last conversation with him.

WHILE IN THE HOUSE:

"Good afternoon," Dinah said approaching the kitchen and seeing a woman with her back to her who was possibly the one Lauren was talking about. Dinah could admit that she was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. When she turned around Dinah gasped. She was simply beautiful and she immediately recognized her.

"You're Dianna Agron," Dinah said softly, surprising her, "The executive chef at Alo Restaurant in Toronto."

Dianna looked at her surprised that she actually knew where she worked. She was Dinah Jane Hansen one of the best singers of the decade and she knew her name and reputation.

"That's right," Dianna said softly and approached Dinah with her hand outstretched.

"It's a surprise to find you here," Dinah said. "I visited your restaurant the last time I was in Toronto and it was one of the best experiences of my life. It was like being in France without having to travel. An incredible experience and your dishes are beautiful."

Dianna smiled and bowed her head in appreciation. She was very proud of what she had accomplished and how she had grown in the culinary industry. Perhaps she hadn't been completely honest with Ryan about where she worked but she didn't think it mattered. She had been a chef in small restaurants before her talent and skill, so they said, had led to her being hired at Alo and now being the chef in charge of the kitchen and the menu that had earned them a Michelin star.