“What do you hope to get out of coming to sessions?”
“I want to get better. I want to not be sad all the time, and I want to not be a burden to anyone.”
“Okay, I would like to see you again next week. In the meantime, I’m going to give you a journal. There are questions in here to guide your journaling. I would like you to try to write in this at least once a day, more if you’re feeling up to it.” The doctor stands, walks over to the desk, and picks up a purple hardcover journal. It has a butterfly on the cover and gold edges along the pages.
Is the butterfly a coincidence? Or is it fate and I was always supposed to be here right now with Ares? Is this the start of me getting better?
Chapter Twenty-Six
Idropped Zara off, again at the front gates because she didn’t want me driving up to the actual house. She seemed distant, drained. I wish I could have just taken her home andkept her with me. I’m sure if I tried to do that, I’d have her father banging down my door looking for her in no time.
The last thing I need is to piss off Dominic McKinley any more than I already have. He’s my uncle’s best friend, and one of the wealthiest men in the country. I’m sure if he really wanted me out of Zara’s life, he’d have means to make that happen, despite who my family is.
I’d take the risk for her, though. If she wanted to stay with me, I’d find a way to make that happen too. Luckily, I have reasonable parents who will do anything to help us. Although my dad has his reservations about my relationship with Zara, he’s still going to be supportive of my choice.
As I pull into the driveway, I groan, almost wishing I’d stayed out longer. There are cars lined up. All belonging to my uncles. Why is everyone here? I swear this family is too fucking close to each other sometimes.
I walk inside and it’s utter chaos, loud, and not what I want to be trapped into dealing with right now. I make a right turn and jog upstairs before anyone can see that I’m here. Cara’s bedroom door is open.
Peeking my head inside, I find her sitting on her bed. “Hey, how was school?” I ask her.
“It was okay. Lots of pretentious rich girls like Zara said there would be.”
“You’re a rich girl too. Don’t let them intimidate you.”
“I’m a De Bellis. They all look scared of me as soon as they hear my name.”
“Good, as they should be,” I tell her.
“Where have you been? Didn’t you hear? There’s a family gathering happening today.”
“Any idea why?”
“Nope, I haven’t ventured down yet.”
“You two need to get downstairs and say hello to everyone. Don’t think I don’t know you’re hiding away up here,” my mum says, stopping in Cara’s doorway.
“I just got home,” I tell her.
“I know,” Mum replies. “Downstairs, now. Both of you.”
“Be right there,” Cara says.
I nod, but don’t bother responding.
When my mum’s footsteps die off, Cara looks at me. “They’re all going to ask why I’m back.”
“You know you should just tell them. They’re not going to think any differently of you, Cara.”
“Yes they are,” she says.
“I don’t and I know,” I remind her.
“It’s not the same. I could murder the Pope and you’d help me bury the body. You’re my ride or die, Ares.”
“Always.” I smile. “I’m going to get changed.”
Shutting myself in my room, I pull out my phone and text Zara.
