AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Do you love her?”
I hesitate, the image of her, her laughter, her sass, the sound of her moans, all flashing in my mind. “I don’t know.”
“When we develop strong emotions for someone, it often means we’re opening ourselves up on a deeper level. Allowing them the power to hurt us. Those feelings can be uncomfortable or even painful, especially for someone who may have buried or suppressed their emotions over the course of their life.”
My knuckles whiten as I grip the armrest, an attempt to hold myself together. Uncomfortable is a fucking understatement.
“The moment you start feeling something intense, it’s like stepping into uncharted territory. Like entering a room you’ve kept locked up for years.”
My gaze flickers away momentarily.
“Now, add to that mix the fact that these feelings are directed toward someone who doesn’t reciprocate them. It’s a tough pill to swallow, isn’t it? You’ve poured your heart out, after years of not doing so, only to realize that the person on the receiving end doesn’t feel the same way. But rejection from someone else doesn’t determine our worth; it doesn’t make us unlovable.”
I let out a nervous laugh and put my hand to my chest. “I feel attacked, doctor,” I say, raising an eyebrow in mock indignation. A weak attempt at trying to diffuse the discomfort.
My attempt at humor is met with a knowing smile from the doctor, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “That’s what you’re paying me the big bucks for, Mr. Loukas,” she winks.
I laugh, and she continues.
“That’s why it hurts. It’s a reminder of the walls you’ve built around yourself, and it stings, because it confirms everything you’ve believed about emotional avoidance.”
“How am I supposed to handle these emotions? I’m losing my fucking mind, doctor,” I growl out. I’ve hit a dead end, with no clear path forward.
“Just remember. While it may hurt now, this pain is not in vain. It’s a part of your emotional journey. This vulnerability can trigger memories, especially ones buried or suppressed—which may explain your vivid memories and dreams. Facing these demons head-on isn’t easy, but it’s essential for growth and healing.”
I nod, acknowledging the challenges ahead, ready to confront them.
Aria. Her name echoes in my mind like a mantra, a prayer, a curse. The fire she ignited within me still burns bright, refusing to be extinguished by the passage of time or the distance between us.
I can’t deny the anger that simmers within me, knowing she chose him over me. But strangely, it doesn’t diminish my desire for her.
If anything, it intensifies it.
Talking to Dr. Goode only served to reaffirm what I already knew deep down.
I’m not ready to let her go. Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
29
DION
It’s Angelica and Evander’s courthouse wedding today, and I’ve been called to be a witness.
Evander somehow convinced Angelica to marry him despite having betrayed her a year ago. Turns out, Angelica and Evander have a common goal, and getting married is the best way to attain it. Apparently, it’s just for “mutual convenience.”
But I’m no fool. I know my brother. Evander is using this opportunity to lock down the love of his life by any means necessary.
He definitely gets an A for effort.
I know I’m going to see Aria today. It’s inevitable and makes me nervous as fuck. I don’t know if I should try to talk to her or not. Part of me wants to tell her that I miss her and want her back, whatever getting her back means, and another part wants to curse at her for abandoning me.
My footsteps echo off the pavement as I approach the courthouse. The building is imposing, its facade lined with columns and heavy wooden doors. Angelica and Evander meet me at the front, under the archway. Angelica is in a simple black dress, looking both radiant and tense, while Evander is in a sharp suit that somehow emphasizes his imposing form.
“Hey, you two,” I force out a smile.
“Dion,” Evander nods, his arm possessively around Angelica’s waist. “Thanks for coming.”
