Dr. Carter’s office felt like a sanctuary that Maya wasn’t quite ready to leave. Over the past few sessions, the therapist had helped her peel back layers of pain, confusion, and betrayal, revealing a resilience Maya thought she’d lost. Sitting across from Dr. Carter for what was supposed to be their final session, Maya felt a mix of gratitude and apprehension.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Dr. Carter,” Maya said, her voice steady but emotional. “You’ve helped me see things differently, helped me let go of so much anger and confusion. I’m not sure I would’ve gotten here without you.”
Dr. Carter smiled warmly, her voice as reassuring as always. “Maya, the work you’ve done was yours alone. I was just here to guide you through it. And remember, healing isn’t a straight line. If you ever need to talk again, you know where to find me.”
Maya nodded, feeling a sense of closure and strength she hadn’t experienced in weeks. As she walked out of the office, she took a deep breath. It was time to start anew.
---
Returning to work felt like a homecoming Maya didn’t know she needed. Her coworkers greeted her with warm smiles and open arms, their concern for her wellbeing genuine.
“Maya, you’re back!” Leah exclaimed, rushing over to hug her. “We missed you so much. Are you okay now?”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“I am,” Maya said, smiling. “Better than I’ve been in a while, actually. Thank you for checking in.”
Dan and Nina chimed in, their supportive comments reminding Maya just how much her presence mattered to the team. Over the next few days, Maya found herself slipping seamlessly back into her routine, her confidence growing with every task she tackled.
One evening, as she was leaving the office with her coworker Charlotte, the two laughed and chatted about their day. Maya felt lighter, as though the weight of her past was finally behind her.
After dropping Charlotte off at her apartment, Maya turned onto a busy downtown street, the city lights reflecting off her windshield. She was about to take a turn when her eyes caught something—or rather, someone—familiar.
Alex and Sarah.
They stood on the sidewalk, laughing and holding each other in a way that could only be described as intimate. Maya’s heart sank as she saw Alex lean in to kiss Sarah, their embrace a stark reminder of the betrayal that had turned her world upside down.
Without thinking, Maya parked her car and stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement as she approached them. “Alex! Sarah!” she called, her voice steady but filled with unmistakable anger.
Both turned to face her, their smiles fading as they locked eyes with her.
“What the hell is this?” Maya demanded, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “After everything you two put me through, you’re out here like nothing happened?”
Alex glanced at Sarah, then back at Maya, his expression unreadable. But he didn’t say a word.
Sarah shifted uncomfortably but remained silent as well, her gaze fixed on the ground.
Maya’s frustration boiled over. “You owe me an explanation! You both owe me something!”
But neither Alex nor Sarah spoke. Instead, they turned away, walking down the street together, leaving Maya standing alone under the glow of a streetlamp.
Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to cry. Not here. Not in front of them.
Taking a deep breath, Maya turned and walked back to her car. As she sat behind the wheel, she whispered to herself, “I’m done. Truly done this time.”
Driving away, Maya felt a surprising sense of clarity. Their silence had been the closure she needed. She didn’t need an explanation from them, nor did she need their validation. She was finally ready to leave them behind—for good this time.
To be continued....