“I told you I would,” I remind her gently. We’ve kept in touch over the years, even though she’s no longer officially my patient.
“I know, I just…” she lowers her voice to a whisper, “after… you know… I wasn’t sure if you’d changed your mind.”
Carina is my biggest regret as a therapist. My one true shame.
But it’s not her fault I failed her. Which is why I’ve kept her secret.
“I don’t blame you for what happened,” I say quietly. “It’s my fault I didn’t see how much anger you still carried.”
She shakes her head, eyes shimmering with tears.
Our texts have become more sporadic since the incident.
“You have no idea how much you helped me.”
I’m not naive enough to believe that what I witnessed ather father’s mansion was the first time something like that happened. I fear Carina has more skeletons than I’ll ever know.
But right now, strangely, there’s something comforting about that.
Something that makes me open up to her, knowing she won’t judge me. Knowing she’ll be able to help.
By the time I finish recounting everything—including the box with the severed finger—her mouth hangs open in disbelief.
“Holy shit,” she breathes. “That’s wild.” She leans in. “Do you think you’re in danger?”
I pause.
“No… I don’t think they want to hurt me.”
Even as the words leave my lips, I hear how ridiculous they sound.
Here I am, claiming I’m not naive—while simultaneously defending the stalker who sent me abody partas a gift.
“What are you going to do about it?”
I shrug. “I don’t know. I should probably have told the police, right?”
Carina tilts her head, considering. “Maybe… but I mean, Nate stalked me a little in the beginning.” She laughs. “Actually, he probably still does.”
She pulls out her phone and starts typing.
Not thirty seconds later, Nate appears at our table, looking like a kid caught with his hand in the biscuit tin.
“Hi, princess,” he murmurs, leaning down to kiss her. Then he turns to me. “Hey, Emily. Long time.”
“It has been. I hear you’re still treating her right.”
He grins. “Always. You haven’t RSVP’d to the wedding. You coming?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t miss it. Sorry, I completely forgot to reply.”
“Good!” He winks, then adds with a chuckle, “I’ll leave you to your girl talk. Time to return to my hiding spot.”
He strolls off, and I turn back to Carina.
“You don’t mind that he followed you?”
“Mind?” Carina snorts. “I love it.”