She laughed her usual hearty laugh and winked at me. “So, you two crept in late.”
‘It’s not like that, we just talked.”
"Wait, where is Tara, and who is this nice person in her place?"
"Ha! Ha!" I said, rolling my eyes.
We enjoyed breakfast in comfortable silence.
* * *
Dr. Lucy Blakesmiled at me once we’d settled in her office. “I must say, you look incredible. Being out of the hospital has done wonders for you.”
"I feel good, stronger. I've made a lot of progress. I didn't even think it was possible a few months ago."
“How are things in your new apartment, are you settled in?”
“Better than expected and, well, Tilly has been great. I’ll be sad to see her go. I’ve gotten pretty fond of the babying.”
“And otherwise?”
My chest constricted a little. "It isn't easy not seeing my baby. It's been three months, and it hurts like hell."
She looks at me, thoughtfully. "You realize you just volunteered your feelings, right?"
"I know, it's the only way for you to help me, Dr. Blake. I can't expect you to understand if I give you nothing to work with."
She nodded and brought out her notepad.
"I guess I am going to need this then."
I spent the next hour telling her everything, things I hadn’t divulged during our in-hospital sessions. At the end of the hour, she took a deep breath.
“I think we’re ready to find you a lawyer.”
“I think I know one.”
Chapter 17
Tara
Present Day
Isat at my dining room table, tapping my nails on the clear surface. I hadn't seen my brother, Devlin, in years. The last time I did, we didn't part ways pleasantly. He was telling me to leave Reid and that he wouldn't stand to witness someone he cared for living the kind of life I was. He'd seen it with Sarah growing up, and he didn't want the same thing for me. I asked him to stay out of my life, and he had. He didn't want to be involved, he didn't want to see me hurting. I regretted that decision since the day I made it. Maybe if I'd reached out he would have been able to help me? What is it with women and fear? We wrap ourselves tightly in it until we're suffocating.
I was scared of what Reid was capable of, the power he and his father had. Maybe if I'd been braver sooner, he wouldn't have been able to win. I kept everything behind closed doors, and in the end, that was my downfall.
"Mom," she looked at me, her pretty hazel eyes boring into my soul. She was almost fourteen, but she was an old soul who understood things that most adults didn't. She had openly declared that she wanted to remain with me, but the court ruled against it based on the case.
"It's not going to be for long, okay? You'll be with Dad, and I'll come to see you." I couldn't stop the sobs. I could barely get the words out.
“No, I want to live with you,”
“I know sweetheart, you will, I promise.”
Thinking about that day brought tears to my eyes. I wiped them away and took a deep breath.
I could do this.
