Page 36 of Dark Therapy
“I’m not going anywhere, Millie,” he said softly, his voice almost a whisper but thick with determination. “Assign me to someone else all you like. But you and I both know I’ll find a way back to you.”
He wasenjoyingthis—pushing me to my limits, breaking down my resolve piece by piece. And despite every rational thought in my mind, I couldn’t deny the pull, the strange and twisted fascination that kept me rooted in place.
“You don’t get to make this decision,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt inside. “I do. And I’m telling you—this ends here.”
He looked at me, his eyes glittering with amusement and something far darker. “Then go ahead,” he murmured, his tone daring. “Cut me loose, Millie. Let’s see how far you get before you realize you’re in deeper than you think.”
I swallowed hard, his words sinking in like a stone in water. But I didn’t flinch, holding his gaze. He thought he could break me, that he could force me to lose control. But I was determined to prove himwrong—no matter how much my own resolve felt like it was slipping away under his unyielding stare.
In an instant, Damien closed the space between us, his proximity overwhelming. Before I could react, he leaned in, his face so close that I felt his breath against my skin. He tilted his head slightly and inhaled deeply, as though savoring every detail, taking in the scent of my hair, the tension in the air. The audacity, the sheer boldness, made my pulse race, but I stood my ground, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me waver.
He lingered there, his presence suffocating, his eyes half-closed as he took in that final breath. And then, he pulled back just enough to look at me, his eyes gleaming with a dark amusement. A small, satisfied smile played on his lips, a silent acknowledgment of the power he held over this twisted dynamic between us.
“You smell… exactly like I remembered,” he murmured, his voice low, almost intimate, as if he were sharing a secret meant only for us.
My spine stiffened, and I forced myself to keep my face impassive, showing him nothing, giving him no reaction. But the truth was, his words, hisintensity—it all seeped beneath my skin, lingering in ways I didn’t want to admit.
He studied me for a beat longer, his eyes scanning my face as if committing every detail to memory. Then, with a final smirk, he took a step back, the distance feeling both a relief and a strange loss. He turned, his back to me now, his movements unhurried as he walked toward the door. Just before he reached it, he paused, glancing over his shoulder with a smile that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Goodnight, Dr. Harper,” he said smoothly, almost as if this had been nothing more than a casual meeting. Then, without another word, he disappeared through the door, leaving me alone in the quiet of my office, his presence still lingering like an unsettling shadow.
As the door clicked shut, I exhaled, releasing the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. The silence that followed felt heavier than ever,thickwith unspoken words and undeniable tension. And despite everything I’d told myself, I knew one thing with a certainty that terrified me.
This was far from over.
?????????
As I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the necklace around my neck, my phone sat on the counter, Emily’s voice filling the room over speaker.
“So, how are you feeling about tonight?” she asked, her tone teasing but warm. “I still can’t believe you said yes to Jake. He’s been waiting forever.”
I smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, I know… I think it’ll be nice. He’s been so patient, and—”
“Patient? That man’s practically asaint,” Emily interrupted, chuckling. “Seriously, he’s one of the good ones, Amelia.”
I exhaled, nodding slightly, though she couldn’t see me. “You’re right. I think I need this. Something…normal.” As the words left my mouth, I realized just how much they resonated.
“Are you nervous?” she asked, picking up on the slight hesitation in my voice.
“A little,” I admitted. “It’s been a while since I’ve let myself… I don’t know, get close to anyone.”
“You deserve it, Amelia. You’ve been through so much,” Emily said gently. “And Jake’s kind, caring—everything you need. Just enjoy yourself tonight.”
I smiled, a small warmthsettling in my chest. “Thanks, Em. I’ll try.”
“Good! And don’t overthink it. Just have fun.” Emily’s voice was bright, encouraging.
I took a final look in the mirror, smoothing down my dress and taking a deep breath. “Alright, I think I’m ready.”
“Perfect,” she said, her tone playful. “Now go make Jake’s night. He’s been waiting long enough.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”
“Absolutely. Have fun, Amelia,” she said, and with that, the call ended.
As I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my purse, I felt a mix of anticipation and a strange underlying anxiety. Tonight was supposed to be a break from everything—the tension, the nightmares, the increasingly complicated sessions with Damien. Tonight, I was going to allow myself to be with someone who genuinely cared about me.
A soft knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts, and when I opened it, there stood Jake, looking effortlessly handsome in a tailored blazer, his warm smile instantly putting me at ease.