All Chapters of An '80s Tale: No Way Back (To Love): Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

I still had the pregnancy test tucked in my bag.I'd been looking forward to bringing a meal to my mother-in-law, Noreen Anderson, and sharing the news with my husband, Dominic Frizzell. But what I overheard caught me off guard.The conversation drifting from the hospital room hit like a blast of winter air—cold, sharp, and merciless. All the joy I'd felt when I found out I was pregnant vanished in an instant.Before I could even register what they were saying, Noreen pressed on with her warning."Look, divorced or not, Katherine's still your stepsister! When she gets back from Belcaster, you'd better drop whatever schemes you have going. If your stepdad finds out, there's no way he's letting it slide!"She continued, "Right now, you should be thinking about having a kid with Valerie. That's what really matters!"Dominic stayed silent.Noreen, clearly frustrated, let out a sharp cough.A few minutes later, Dominic finally spoke, his tone hesitant. It was almost like he was givi

Chapter 2

Dominic took the thermos from my hands and pressed his lips to my forehead. A gesture that usually felt warm and tender now rang completely hollow.When Noreen saw me, she clasped my hand and launched into her usual barrage. "Val, when are you two planning on having kids? When I was your age, Dominic was already in elementary school."I poured the broth from the thermos and handed her the bowl, hesitating over whether I should tell her I was already pregnant.But Dominic spoke before I could. "Mom, stop pressuring Val. We have our own plans. If you want to be around a kid, you can always spend time with Jenny."Jenny Summer was Katherine's daughter. Katherine was supposedly bringing her home for Christmas.At the mention of her name, Noreen's smile froze. She took a sip of broth and stayed silent.I shoved aside the thought of telling them I was pregnant and used the excuse of going to the restroom to slip away.…I stepped out of the stall to wash my hands when Lucy suddenly a

Chapter 3

Mr. Felton's tone carried the teasing lilt friends often used with each other.Dominic stiffened at his words.It wasn't until Mr. Felton sensed the change in the air that he noticed me standing behind Dominic.Realizing his blunder, he scrambled for a way out. "Oh, Valerie's here too, huh? Well, my wife's calling. You two enjoy your shopping."A flicker of guilt crossed Dominic's face. "Don't get the wrong idea, Val," he said. "It's my stepdad. He was worried Kat might be short on cash in Belcaster, so he asked me to send it.""I get it," I replied. "I didn't take it the wrong way."He studied me. Once he saw I wasn't angry, he he finally relaxed a little.Just then, the clothing factory's assistant rushed over to tell him a few business partners had arrived.Dominic drove me home and headed straight back to the factory to meet them.I gave Pauline Woods, our maid, the dinner plan and went to the bedroom. On the way, I picked up the daily newspaper he subscribed to and brough

Chapter 4

Dominic and Katherine took their places at the dining table, one on each side of Jenny. From a distance, they could have passed for a perfect little family of three.Jenny, obedient as ever, brought a spoonful of minestrone to her lips. A heartbeat later, she spat it out and upended the bowl onto the table."Watch out!"Dominic reacted first, throwing an arm across Katherine and Jenny. I sat opposite them, and the splash landed on the back of my hand, scorching it an angry red."It's too spicy!" Jenny cried, gasping for breath, tears streaking her cheeks as she insisted the minestrone burned.Katherine pulled her close, checking her tongue before turning to me with a wounded look. "Valerie, do you resent that Jenny and I moved back in? If you have a problem, just say it. But please don't take it out on Jenny."Dominic's expression darkened. His voice carried nothing but blame. "Valerie! Jenny can't handle spice. Why would you put in red pepper flakes?"I met his scolding with a

Chapter 5

That afternoon, I drifted in and out of sleep, faintly aware of someone moving closer. When I finally forced my eyes open, a familiar face swam into focus.Dominic lay beside me. He touched my forehead. Heat flared under his palm, and worry tightened his features."You're burning up, Val," he said. "Let me take you to the hospital, okay?"On any other day, this kind of misery would've sent me straight into his arms. But the scent clinging to him—the same soap Katherine used—turned my stomach. I rolled away, burrowing under the covers."I'm fine. It's probably just a cold. Going to the hospital isn't necessary."Dominic missed how fed up I was. His voice softened, threaded with hurt. "How could it not be necessary? It kills me to see you sick. Please, just listen to me."My head was foggy. All I wanted was to rest.I reached for an easy excuse. "I already took some medicine. I'll be fine after a nap."Dominic didn't push further and kissed my temple. "Alright, get some sleep. I'

Chapter 6

Dominic scrambled into his clothes, and it took a long while before he found his bearings again. He stepped forward and snatched the letter.The moment he opened it, he saw Katherine's signature—the signature from the day the admission letter had been collected.It struck him all at once. I might've uncovered what happened that year."How? How would Val know? What the hell is going on?"A wave of unease surged through him. He staggered into the master bedroom and found it empty. All my things were gone, except for the boxes lined up on the floor.Dominic flipped one open. Inside were the gifts he and Noreen had given me, and on top, in plain sight, lay the divorce papers. With trembling hands, he lifted them, confusion and shock written all over his face.Just then, Pauline, hovering off to the side, said she thought she'd heard me slip out last night.Dominic remembered, too, that when he'd kissed Katherine, there'd been a figure in the doorway. A chill swept through him, and h

Chapter 7

Katherine was caught off guard and hit the floor hard, tears springing before she could stop them. Dominic didn't even look back. He ran out of the hospital room and was gone.…After a full day and night on the road, I finally rolled into Marleton Station. The moment my feet hit the platform, I saw Mom waiting with our big brown dog."Val, you must be wiped out. I've got a pot of soup simmering at home for you."All the hurt I'd been swallowing spilled out of me. I fell into her arms and sobbed, and I told her I was divorcing Dominic.After some real rest put me right, I went over to the school to speak with the principal, Mark Ellerman.When he heard I was willing to return, Mr. Ellerman's face lit up. He offered me a spot as a classroom aide while I sorted out my credentials. Seven years after walking away, I was back in a classroom.….Time slipped by. Before I knew it, I'd been home for six months."Ms. Downey! Your test results are out — congratulations, you got into

Chapter 8

I shook my head and tried to pull away, but Dominic only tightened his grip."Dominic, whether I hate you or not, I'm still going to divorce you!"He came closer anyway. Only then did I notice the small limp in his right leg. He followed my gaze, looked down, and let out a small, bitter laugh."Do I disgust you, Val? After you left, I got into an accident on the way to the station to find you."His lips pressed into a hard line. "When it happened, I thought I'd never see you again. I even planned to go to your hometown, but the number Kat gave me wouldn't go through."I stayed quiet, watching the slump of his shoulders.After a long pause, he spoke, voice barely above a whisper. "I've been blaming myself this whole time. I lost my head. Please don't give up on me, Val. "I know you got into the university again. I'll wait while you finish school. Give me some time. I'll move the clothing factory to Belcaster. Please give me another chance."Dominic looked up, hope shining on hi

Chapter 9

"Yes, I do!" Brian blurted, so thrilled he nearly let the steering wheel slip from his hands.…I'd officially begun my time at university. Architecture was no easy major, with tons to learn.Brian and I naturally fell into a relationship. Most of our "dates" were in the library, where I peppered him with questions and he walked me through the answers.Rumor had it that Dominic was set on moving the clothing factory to Belcaster. For now, he was busy enough to stay out of my way.After class one afternoon, a professor pulled me aside. The university president wanted to see me.I soon learned why. Six months earlier, the university had received a letter alleging forgery and had been investigating Katherine ever since.By now, the case was airtight. They'd even uncovered a pattern of her paying for ghostwritten papers to pad her publication record for promotion reviews.When the president learned I'd been the one harmed back then, he made a point of telling me the decision himsel

Chapter 10

Feeling Dominic's grip tighten on her throat, fear flashed in Katherine's eyes. She pounded at his arms, fighting to break free. He only released her when campus security rushed in.I watched them tear into each other, utterly calm. They were finally reaping what they'd sown, and the only thing I felt was that justice had been served.Katherine refused to accept getting fired, yelling that she'd file a complaint against me in return. The remorse came later, when she learned her record had closed every university door in Belcaster.She showed up with Jenny, playing the sob story and begging for leniency. I wouldn't see them and made it clear I wasn't budging.Around the same time, trouble struck Dominic's clothing factory in his hometown. He rushed back that night to handle it, and I assumed that was the end of us.…On the morning of my birthday, Brian and his mother picked me up early to celebrate. When I returned to the dorm that night, Dominic was waiting at the foot of the bu

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