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SLOANE “Are you serious!” Annalise gasps, making me shush her before they kick us out.Already, Kade and Rocco hovering the place is not helping.“Yes. Will you stop being so loud?” I hiss at her.Annalise’s eyes are still in shock as she takes a sip of her coffee. “Fine. So you sneaked out. Girl, you've been busy!” She shakes her head, a proud smile on her face, “But I'm proud of you.”After the session last week, I felt a little under the weather, so Ian took a leave to work from home and spent time with me. I must say the risk was worth it because after that, my heart has been swooning with joy and contentment.Today, I felt better and called my best friend so I could treat her to lunch with my first paycheck from the hospital, which I suspect came from Ian's personal pocket.“So your memories are still in pieces?” She asks.“Yeah. I don't remember much, but Ian was very supportive and helped me explain some missing pieces. Like how I was in a wheelchair because I took a bullet fo
SLOANE Dr. Elara dims the lights until the room is soaked in shadows, just soft enough to feel safe.She moves her chair closer with a notebook on her lap. On my side, is Ian, who is holding my hand with a gentle squeeze, making me feel safe. Her voice lowers into that calm, steady rhythm I remember from earlier. “Take a deep breath, Sloane. Let it out slowly. Feel your body relaxing, heavier with each breath… Ian is here, holding your hand. You are safe.”I squeeze his hand instinctively.Safe.That word means more with him next to me.“Close your eyes now,” she says, her voice soft and anchoring. “With each breath, I want you to drift a little further. Like you’re floating through fog. It’s quiet and peaceful. Your body stays here, but your mind will travel. To moments of happiness. When we are finnished, you will not remember my instructions, only the memories.”I breathe in.Then out.I breathe in again.Then out.Slowly, I begin to fall.The weight of the world slips off my che
SLOANE “Dr. Quinn.” Elara stands from her chair like it suddenly caught fire. My husband walks further into the room, looking as calm as ever. I sit up from the leather chair and look at him, my heart pounding in ways that can't be explained. “Ian?” I croak out.“Hi, Silver.” He responds.I bite my bottom lip, trying my best not to cower, “What are you doing here?”He walks over to me and runs his hand gently into my hair. “Anderson told me he saw a strange car at the entrance and my wife happened to be entering it.”What? I made sure to be extra careful and even avoided the CCTV since I know the blind spots, so how did he see us?“What should I have done when you forbid me from coming to your office to ask for permission.” I bite back, trying to throw the ball back at him. His hands move from my hair to my face before he pulls back and places his hands in his pockets. “I’m not mad at you.” He announces before turning to face Dr. Elara, “Can I have a word?”Oh, hell no.I jump o
SLOANE If you're provoked, is murder still considered illegal?That's the thought I have running in my head as I watch Ian walk into his stupid office. How dare he?How dare he accuse me of keeping secrets, of siding with my brother, when I just spent the last thirty minutes defending him like a damn fool?I could’ve told Noah everything. I should have. But I didn’t. I protected Ian. I made excuses for him. I made myself the villain in a story I didn’t even write, just so he wouldn’t have to deal with the fallout of his own choices.And what do I get in return?“You’re deflecting. You’re lying. Sloane the martyr.”I feel the sting in my chest like a fresh slap. It keeps replaying in my head like some awful loop I can’t switch off. His tone, his face, the way he pulled away from me like I was some stranger who couldn’t be trusted.“Did your precious husband tell you everything? Did he tell you what happened two years ago?” Noah’s words echo in my head. What happened two years ago? W
IANI step into the doorway, and my eyes lock onto Noah’s.My wife's dumb brother has his jaw tight like he's ready for a fight which is funny considering the fact that he's never really been man enough in any situation and therefore hasn't earned any ounce of respect from either me or Alex.Noah is not only sketchy, he's a coward, and I'd rather chew glass than believe he's changed. Which is why I don't like that he's in our home. “I didn't know my brother-in-law would be visiting us today,” I say slowly, my voice calm but laced with steel. “If I did, I would’ve canceled our reservation.”My beloved brother in law looks at me like he wants to kill me but is wise enough to keep his hands to himself. Would you look at that? He's not that dumb after all.“What kind of game are you playing, Ian?” he snarls.Sloane tries to step between us, but I pull her to my side instead.“I didn't know I was playing games.” I retort calmly.“Noah was just leaving.” My wife says, “I'll call you.” She
SLOANE “I've missed you.” Noah says as he looks at me with a worried expression. “Has he been good to you?”My brother, who I've been avoiding since I woke up, decided to show up at my front door. In my defense, I wasn't going to hide forever. I just didn't know what had happened in the last nine years. Noah and I were separated at a young age. While he was sheltered and shown love by mum and dad, I was sold off to make money that paid for his school. Honestly, the only feeling I remember having towards him is resentment. How could he have life so easy?But as we sit and I watch the look on his face, it tells me we have reconciled and genuinely care for each other.“Yes. He has been good to me.” Noah sighs, runs a hand through his hair, and then sighs again.“If he starts treating you badly, you need to tell me Slo. You've already been through so much, I just want you to be happy.”I laugh, finding him a little dramatic, “ Besides the kidnappings, I'm very fine and happy.”“What kid