Chapter 35
Ihadn’t realized I’d find such comfort in therapy.
They say stigma is a powerful weapon when wielded correctly.
Michael was excellent at using it to keep me under his control—making getting help feel counterintuitive, as if the only thing wrong with me was that I didn’t trust him, that I didn’t love him, that he wasn’t my everything like he swore I was to him.
Brittany recommended her group sessions but also suggested I speak with one of her colleagues one-on-one. She said it wasn’t good for her to be my direct psychologist, considering she was Keo’s. I agreed wholeheartedly.
The therapist I just finished with is incredible. We share a lot of the same interests, which makes talking to him incredibly easy.
“See you next week, Ayden,” Don says as I step into the lobby of the small psychology section of the hospital. I feel like I’ve been here too often this past month, but at least this time it’s for my own benefit.
Today was Keoni’s first day back at work, and I had aligned my schedule so he could drop me off before heading in. These next three days are going to suck—royally. I haven’t been without him twenty-four-seven in four weeks, and to say I’m anxious is a massive understatement.
This first session was meant to tackle what I wanted to get out of seeing my therapist. Instead, it was him easing my nerves about something happening to Keo while on the job.
Pulling out my phone, I open my messages. I’ve only got two; one from Alysa wishing me luck with therapy, and the other from Keo.
Keo
I know I said it when I dropped you off, but I hope your session goes as you hope. You’ll feel lighter afterward, and if you need to talk, just call me. I’ll always answer.
I have to physically stop myself from showing my giddiness.
A few email notifications had popped up alongside the texts. I normally wouldn’t check them immediately, but one is from Dr. Yadav. Before responding to my sister, I decide to see what it says.
Hi, Ayden,
This is Dr. Yadav. Can you please contact me? I’ve tried to call you, but it seems as though your phone has been turned off. My number is below.
Signed,
Dr. Markus Yadav
San Francisco General Hospital
ER/OR
I step between the two sliding doors to the outside, staying within the warmth but out of earshot of anyone passing by. Tapping the number at the bottom of the email, I press my phone to my ear and listen as it rings.
I’ve been sort of waiting for this call, so even with my heart thundering in my chest, I feel ready.
“This is Dr. Yadav.”
“Hey, it’s Ayden Pierce.”
A sigh of relief filters through the speaker. “Ayden, it’s so good to hear your voice. How’re you doing?”
I lean against the wall, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Good… things have been a bit hectic, but I feel like I’m doing better. How’re you? How’re things?”
“I’m doing alright, busy as ever. Things here are… interesting.”
“Suppose that’s San Fran for you.”
He lets out a short, pitched chuckle. “Yeah.” As he takes a deep breath, I brace myself. “Did you put in your letter of resignation?”
There it is.
“I did. A few days ago. I’m sorry I didn’t call and let you know in advance.”
It’s not really protocol—he isn’t my boss—but I’d like to say he’s a friend. I worked closely with him during my residency, and he was there for me during my recovery from the accident. He deserved to know; I just didn’t know how to tell him.
“It’s alright, you don’t need to apologize. Does that mean you’ve moved, or are you still in San Francisco?”
“No, I moved into my family’s cabin.”
The sigh he lets out isn’t one of relief… and I’m not sure what it is, but it makes my chest tighten. “Where exactly?”
“Colorado.” I trust him, but even still, telling him where I am makes my stomach twist. “Why?”
He exhales sharply. “Ayden… Michael reported you to the hospital.”
My chest caves in. He’d threatened that before, but I thought it was just an empty threat. I’ve done nothing wrong—I mean, at the time he was here, I hadn’t. Honestly… I still haven’t. Nothing, other than an image, about what I’m doing with Keoni is wrong.
And I’ll die on that hill.
“What… did he report?”
He groans. “I’m not supposed to say anything, but I know it isn’t true. To be frank, if you’d started looking for a job or found one here in California, I would’ve told you to wait.”
“What did he say, Dr. Yadav?”
“That… you’re… participating in incest—”
“What?!” My voice comes out too loud, echoing around the small space, and I know everyone heard me in the lobby. Heart racing, I rush through the second set of sliding doors and out into the freezing air, moving down the side of the building until I’m alone. “That’s not true! I would… never!”
“Ayden, I know. You don’t have to convince me of anything.”
“With who? I don’t understand. Keoni isn’t a blood relative.”
Silence stretches over the line as I round the corner, pressing my back against the cold stone wall.
“He reported that you did it with your sister. Who’s—”
I nearly drop my phone, but I can’t stop my legs from giving out, causing me to collapse to the ground. Shaking overtakes me, so violent and uncontrollable.
“Ayden? Is Keoni your stepbrother?”
I’m going to be sick.
“Y-Yes…”
Dr. Yadav curses under his breath, then sighs heavily. “Listen, I’m already telling you more than I should. You need a lawyer—a good legal team. He claims you sent your stepbrother after him when he confronted you, and that he threatened to kill him.”
“No… no, no! That’s not what happened at all!”
“I know. I believe you.”
My stomach twists into tight, fiery knots, acid burning up my throat. The breakfast I’d made this morning claws its way up, threatening to paint the icy grass beside me.
“I-I have a lawyer already. I’m… getting a restraining order. He came here. He attacked me!”
“Did you report it?”
“Yes. I had help.”
“Good. Jesus Christ, I always knew that guy was a piece of shit.” Another sigh, ragged this time. “Did Michael point a gun at him?”
“Yes…”
“Do you have evidence? Video?”
“I do.”
“He reported that he was using the gun in self-defense, probably because he knew you had it.” Maybe, technically, it was. But Keoni had every damn right to do what he did.
“How do you know this?”
He sighs. “I’ve got my resources. Did you get any more of the incident recorded?”
“No. I didn’t…” I draw my knees up to my chest and bury my face into them. “Fuck… What’s going to happen?”
“They were going to let you go from SF General, but take a deep breath, please.” I do, and I’m so fucking glad to have someone like Dr. Yadav on my side.
Knowing he believes me lifts a weight I know would be too unbearable to keep from squashing me right now.
“Because you put in your resignation, they’ve accepted it but made it immediate.
You won’t be able to stay on leave as you requested. ”
“That’s fine…”
“Because these are just allegations, it’s been decided to allow the legal system to take the appropriate actions. They won’t be reporting it to the board… for now. It’s why I said you need to get a good legal team, Ayden.”
I nod, even if he can’t see it. “I understand.”
“I’m going to do what I can here for you. I’ve got resources, and friends that can help.”
Dropping my head back against the wall, heat builds in my eyes. “Thank you…”
“I’m so sorry.” The ache in his tone has tears falling across my temples.
I bite hard on the inside of my cheek, and only when I taste metal, do I stop.
“I want to tell you what’s going on so you understand.
” With a shaky breath, I clear my throat.
“I lost my dad and stepmom a few months ago… and after their funeral, I decided to stay here in Colorado. My stepbrother, Keoni, moved into the cabin before me…” I pause, and swallow down my fear.
“You need to know that I am seeing him. Michael had police here in Colorado following me, he was tracking my phone. They saw me with Keoni, and that’s what brought him here to me. We… we aren’t doing anything wrong!”
He doesn’t say anything. Complete and utter silence.
“I met him when I was fourteen, before our parents introduced us as soon to be step siblings. He… I wanted to be with him then, and because their love, their happiness, mattered more, I had to suffer for it. Please don’t see me as fucked up, Markus, please it’s not—”
“I would never. I understand the law, and I know you. There’s zero judgement from me.”
“Ayden?”
My head snaps up to see Brittany standing just a few feet away, her eyes wide.
“Oh my god, Ayden!”
I shake my head quickly and raise a hand, finger pointed at my phone. She nods but continues to rush over to me.
Markus’s voice fills my ear. “Look, who you love isn’t anyone’s business as long as it’s legal.
Which this is. Michael is psychotic, but he has resources.
” His tone of sincerity reminds me I did have friends, and someone that could’ve helped me if I had spoken up…
“Whoever just called your name sounds worried. I’m going to save your number. Am I okay to call when appropriate?”
“Yes… of course.” My throat is raw, but I manage the words.
“Let’s leave all of this out of texts.”
“Probably for the best. Thank you… Dr. Yadav.”
He lets out a soft laugh. “Call me Markus. We’re friends. Take care of yourself, Ayden. Get that team together. We’ll figure this out.”
“I will. Speak soon.”
“Bye.”
The line clicks dead just as Brittany drops to her knees in front of me, pulling me into a hug so tight it knocks the air from my lungs.
“Are you alright? What happened? Should I call Keoni?”
I shove my phone into my pocket and fold my arms around her, giving her a strong hug.
“I don’t know, Britt. I…” I release a heavy sigh. “He’s the one I want to call when shit like this happens. But I can’t keep fucking up his life and career. It’s his first week back.”
She leans back just enough to meet my eyes, her brows knitting together, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Then let’s go to him.”