جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 170

The ring haunts me for three days.I found it by accident. Looking for a phone charger in Damien's nightstand. A small velvet box tucked in the back of the drawer.I didn't open it. Didn't touch it. Just saw it and closed the drawer.But now I can't stop thinking about it.Wednesday evening, emergency call with Maggie."He has a ring," I say without preamble."What? How do you know?""Found it. In his drawer. I wasn't snooping, I was just—""Elena. Breathe. Okay, so he has a ring. That means he's planning to propose.""Yes. Obviously. But Maggie, are we ready for that? We've been back together for fifteen weeks. We've broken up four times. Is that enough foundation for marriage?""That's not for me to answer. Are you ready?""I don't know. Part of me is excited. Part of me is terrified we're moving too fast.""What does your gut say?""That I want to say yes. But also that wanting something doesn't mean it's right.""Have you talked to Damien about marriage? Like, in general?""No. We

Week eighteen. December 20th."My mother wants us to come to Christmas dinner," Damien says casually over breakfast.I nearly choke on my coffee. "What?""She called yesterday. Said she wants to extend an olive branch. Have us over for the holidays.""The same mother who told me I was destroying your life? That mother?""Yes. That mother.""And you think this is a good idea?"He sets down his fork. "No. I think it's a terrible idea. But I also think we should discuss it rather than me making the decision unilaterally.""I appreciate that. But Damien, she hates me.""She doesn't hate you. She's threatened by you. There's a difference.""Semantics. The result is the same—a hostile Christmas dinner.""We could go for an hour. Show up, be polite, leave. It might help ease the tension.""Or it might give her another opportunity to tell me I'm inadequate."He reaches across the table. "I will not let her attack you. If she starts, we leave immediately. But Elena, eventually we have to deal

I don't tell Damien about Melissa's visit immediately.Not because I'm hiding it. But because I need to process it first.Tuesday evening, therapy with Dr. Chen."Melissa showed up at my office yesterday.""What did she want?""To warn me. Said Damien is performing change. That he'll revert to his old self and I'll be trapped.""How did that make you feel?""Shaken. Angry. But also—what if she's right? What if I'm seeing what I want to see?""Elena, what evidence do you have that Damien is performing versus genuinely changing?"I think. "Evidence of genuine change: consistent therapy, maintained boundaries, defended me to his mother, accepted help in his own growth, respects my autonomy. Evidence of performance: I can't think of any.""So Melissa's warning is based on what?""Her experience with him. Which was years ago. Different circumstances.""Exactly. She's projecting her past onto your present. That doesn't make it true.""But what if she sees something I'm missing? What if she

Week twenty-two continues. The cybersecurity investigation moves quickly.By Tuesday, they have preliminary findings.Damien calls me at work. "Can you meet me at my place tonight? The investigators want to brief us both.""They found something?""Yes. And you're not going to like it."My stomach drops. "What time?""Six PM."I arrive to find Damien with two investigators—a woman named Sarah and a man named Marcus."Ms. Torres, thank you for coming," Sarah says. "We've traced the source of the leaked therapy notes.""Who was it? Melissa?""No. Though we initially suspected her. The actual source is someone closer to home."She pulls up a laptop. Shows me IP addresses, timestamps, digital footprints."The files were accessed from within Dr. Morrison's practice. By someone with legitimate login credentials.""A staff member?""Not exactly. The credentials belonged to Patricia Chen."My blood runs cold. "Dr. Chen? My therapist?""No. Patricia Chen is Dr. Morrison's practice manager. Also

Week twenty-seven. Early April.I'm at work when James calls me into his office."Elena, we need to discuss something sensitive."My stomach drops. "Okay.""The board received a complaint. Anonymous. Alleging that you're showing favoritism to organizations with connections to Damien.""What? That's not true. Every decision has been merit-based—""I believe you. But we need to address it formally. There's going to be an internal review of all your decisions since you started.""Who filed the complaint?""Anonymous. But between us? The timing and language suggest Melissa Voss."Of course."She won't stop, will she?""Apparently not. But Elena, if your decisions are clean—and I believe they are—this review will vindicate you.""And if it doesn't?""Then we deal with it. But I have faith in your integrity."I leave his office shaking.Immediately call Damien."The board is reviewing all my decisions. Anonymous complaint alleging favoritism.""Melissa.""That's what James thinks. Damien, w