I’ve kept my appointments with Dr. R because although girls were recovered from the docks—in this part of the country it’s being hailed as one of the largest trafficking busts in decades, and Yuri and others are dead, Gregor disappeared into the wind and that makes me nervous. But she’s helping me channel my anger and anxiety regarding that one loose end and it’s working. The past weeks have seemed more turbulent than the actual ordeal itself, but I might also still be compartmentalizing my emotions; so here I am, relaying all the nitty gritty details of the last few months to the fine Doctor.

Dr. Richardson’s expression as I relay the truth of all that happened, now that Mike is in the clear, is quite humorous. It’s not often you get to witness an expert psychiatrist slack jawed. It makes me wish I’d brought Nora with me today because she would absolutely get a kick out of this moment. I make a mental note to give her a detailed play by play later on.

“Mike slept with me here, home, after, and lied about it. I knew without doubt that the jungle happened after Mike’s reaction to that night. So you see, it all happened, but I couldn’t tell you anything until we were safe.”

“I’m so sorry, Aubry.” Dr. Richardson genuinely means what she says.

I grin at her. “It’s okay. I knew and that’s all that matters. I couldn’t risk telling you until now.”

“Still, it makes me feel foolish thinking I misdiagnosed you. That, as your therapist, I didn’t believe you. That I tried to convince you what you experienced wasn’t true. That would drive anyone mad.”

I pull my sleeves over my fingers. “Like I said, it’s okay. It wasn’t just you, everyone was working against me because of Mike lying.”

“And how are you and Mike?”

I look at the books, spines spread out across a ceiling to floor bookshelf and smile. “We’re great.”

“Are you? Any lingering issues to work through? It’s never easy when you’ve gone through what the two of you have.”

“You know, I couldn’t forgive him at first. All I felt was anger. But I didn’t know why he bothered lying once I was home. I didn’t understand why he was doing what he was. We were back, both alive.”

“What changed?” she asks. She looks good today, happy. I wonder what happened in her life recently that has her glowing.

“Nora.” She raises her brows at me. “She didn’t even know she was helping me really. But she made me realize that love isn’t finite. That when you love, it doesn’t have to fit inside any boundaries to be legitimate. I wanted Mike, but I couldn’t reconcile what he was doing with my love for him.”

“How’d you finally accomplish that?” She’s watching me curiously.

“I decided love mattered more than his actions—but before you go saying that’s not smart—let me remind you that I knew Mike before his actions became shady. Instead of trying to work out the puzzle ahead of time, I let myself love and accept him until he was ready to fork over the missing puzzle pieces.”

“And if he hadn't? What would your love feel like then?” she asks.

“If he wasn’t capable of explaining his actions I wouldn’t have fallen for him in the first place. I believe that right down to my core, just like I know without doubt that Mike is a good man.”

She scribbles notes down at a furious pace. “Interesting.”

“You don’t have to take notes anymore, Doc, because I think I’m ready to graduate therapy.” Dr. Richardson laughs as she looks from her notepad to me.

“Usually, Aubry, when a person thinks they’re done with therapy is when they need it the most. Humor me and give me four more sessions with you.”

Sighing, I lean back into the chair and purse my lips. “I really am okay.”

She half smiles at me. “Let’s shoot for fabulous instead of okay. I’m only asking for one more month of your time.” She gives me a warm but knowing look that implies she knows something I don’t. That makes me wonder if, belatedly I might have feelings to talk about. Not about Mike, but about other things. I cross my arms over my chest but my defiance doesn’t intimidate her.

“Fine. One more month.”

Her lips curl up into a wide smile.