He falters for a moment, then accuses, "Like you're more than her therapist."
Blue inhales sharply.
Skylar's head snaps toward him. "Adrian."
"What? Don't tell me, printsessa, you don't see what's going on here!"
The words lodge instead of echo, becoming a slow constriction, tightening low in my chest. The room sharpens at the edges. I adjust in my chair by a fraction, a corrective movement meant to look like comfort, while Blue's attention registers as heat without contact.
I refuse to meet it. Metal blooms on my tongue as I stack procedure and policy in my head like a barricade, holding Adrian's stare without flinching, aware of how neatly his accusation fits the room.
I remain still. "Blue, I want you to hear this question without reacting. Answer honestly."
She nods, jaw tight.
My heart races so fast, I'm sure Adrian can see it thumping against my chest. I question, "Do you believe our relationship has crossed any boundaries that make you uncomfortable?"
The room freezes.
Her eyes lock onto mine. Almost too fast, she denies the allegation. "No."
I don't let it pass. "Take a breath. Answer again."
She inhales, then exhales. She repeats firmer, "No."
Adrian scoffs. "Of course she'd say that."
"That's why this question matters. Trust in therapy isn't about secrecy. It's about transparency," I state.
"How convenient," Adrian mutters.
"Adrian!" Skylar reprimands again.
"I understand it's hard for those coming into therapy to understand the trust a patient has with her therapist," I offer.
"Convenient again."
"Adrian!" Skylar scolds through gritted teeth.
"What if we were?" Blue asks.
I freeze.
What is she doing?
Adrian's face turns red. "Were what?"
"What if we were lovers? Would that be so bad? Like if a man actually wanted me, would that be an unimaginable, horrible thing?" Hurt blooms on Blue's expression.
"He's your therapist!" Adrian booms, curling his fist tight to his side.
"That's not what I asked!" Blue shouts.
"Adrian, sit down," Skylar orders.
He meets her eyes, and defeat mixes with his anger.
"Sit," she repeats.
