Chapter 5 #3
Sevyn knew she was pushing, that this was a touchy subject for Harper, but she needed her to understand. She needed her to see the man she felt in Hassan.
"He’s really strong," Sevyn continued, her voice calm but unwavering. "I don’t know his life story—hell, I don’t even know him. But I felt him, Harp."
The admission sent a strange warmth through her, one she tried to ignore.
"I felt the coldness, the ruthlessness, but most of all, I felt the sadness—the exhaustion of carrying everything and everyone on his shoulders."
She could hear Harper sigh again, but this time, she could tell she was listening.
"It’s not that he doesn’t feel anything—he feels too much," Sevyn murmured, her eyes still focused on the road as she weaved through traffic, heading toward her office. "But he doesn’t bear that weight on everyone else. He carries it because that’s what he’s always had to do. And maybe that’s what you don’t see."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Sevyn didn’t know why she cared so much, why she was so invested in trying to explain someone like Hassan Gaines to his own cousin. But as she continued driving, her thoughts still tangled in the man who had left such an undeniable impression, she realized something.
She understood him.
And that alone made her smile.
"You told me before, it was always just you, him, and your grandmother, right?" Sevyn asked, her voice steady, even as she sensed the emotion in Harper’s silence.
"Yes," Harper said softly, her voice cracking slightly.
Sevyn heard the emotions, but she continued.
"So he felt like he had to always be the man. You're more than just his cousin, Harper—you’re his little sister. He has to protect you. And now that your grandmother is dying, he has to take on the weight of caring for her while also trying to stay strong for you both. That’s a lot on one person.
Add on past trauma? I wouldn’t express shit either. "
Harper didn’t say anything, but Sevyn knew she was listening. "So give Hassan more grace. That is not a broken man, that’s a strong, but tired man. "
Silence stretched between them before Harper finally spoke up, her voice carrying a teasing lilt.
"Damn… bitch, you didn’t have to read my ass like that. You put that shit in Times New Roman, 12pt font. I don’t have no choice but to listen to what you saying. Clock the fuck outta my tea."
Sevyn burst into laughter, shaking her head at Harper’s dramatics. Then, Harper spoke again, but this time, her voice was softer. "He needs you, Sevyn."
Sevyn’s entire body went still. If she wasn’t already at a red light, she might’ve wrecked right then and there.
Hassan Gaines? Needing her?
The light turned green, but her grip on the wheel tightened as she started driving again, the nervousness in her chest refusing to fade.
"I can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be, Harper." Her voice was calm, but inside, something stirred—something she wasn’t ready to name.
"I know… I just hope he comes around. I’ve never seen him that messed up over what someone told him. But with you, he looked… startled. I’ve never seen my cousin scared a day in his life, and whatever you told him had him shook."
Sevyn sat in shock, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
She was relieved when she finally pulled into her office parking lot—because she needed to get off the phone.
"I hope he comes around too, Harp. But that’s his choice. I gotta go, though, just made it to the office."
"Okay, girl. Thank you for the talk. We still on for lunch later?"
A small smile played on Sevyn’s lips as she grabbed her brown Hermès bag and stepped out of the car.
"Yes. I’m definitely gonna need a lemon drop after all the sessions I have today."
Harper laughed, and after exchanging their final goodbyes, Sevyn ended the call.
But even as she stepped out of the car, walking to the building, Hassan’s name still lingered in her mind like a whisper she couldn’t shake.
Sevyn walked into The Haven Center, her brown YSL heels clicking against the polished marble floors as she moved with effortless grace.
The large glass building reflected the early morning sunlight, casting a glow that barely registered in her mind.
She greeted security with a polite nod before making her way toward her office, already mentally preparing for the long day ahead.
The moment she passed Micah’s desk, her receptionist called her over with a bright smile, holding up a large vase filled with sunflowers—her favorite flowers .
"These were sent for you," Micah beamed, her eyes glinting with curiosity as she handed Sevyn the vase.
Sevyn’s brows furrowed slightly as she hesitated before reaching for them. The flowers were beautiful, but her gut already told her she wasn’t going to like where they came from.
"There’s a card too," Micah added with a wink, handing it over as Sevyn took it, already knowing.
She unfolded the small envelope, her eyes scanning the familiar handwriting.
"I’m sorry, baby. Please talk to me."
Her stomach twisted in irritation, and just like that, she knew exactly who had sent them.
Braxton.
The annoyance crept into her expression, but she masked it quickly, not wanting to feed into Micah’s excitement.
"Thank you, Micah," Sevyn said smoothly, though there was a sharp edge to her tone that hinted at her frustration.
She grabbed the flowers, their weight feeling heavier than they should have.
Braxton was trying everything at this point—calls, texts, messages through mutual friends, and now flowers.
His persistence was starting to exhaust her.
He didn’t deserve another conversation. He didn’t deserve anything from her.
Making her way into her office, she placed the vase down on her desk, but the bright yellow petals felt like a mockery of what she had lost.
Even though each day, she had been slowly healing, slowly coming to terms with what had happened, she wasn’t fully there yet. She still felt the sting of betrayal, the wound of Braxton and Ariel’s deception still fresh, even if she refused to let it consume her.
Taking a deep breath, she pulled her gaze from the flowers and focused on preparing for her first session of the day. She had an hour before her client arrived, enough time to settle in and shake off the unwanted emotions stirring inside her.
As she reached for her planner, her phone vibrated against the cold marble surface of her desk.
Braxton.
His name flashed across the screen, as if he knew she had just read his apology, as if he was waiting for her reaction.
Without hesitation, she hit decline.
The beautiful flowers did nothing for her. Not a damn thing.
???
Sevyn was in the middle of a session with Xavier Sanders, a star NFL pl ayer who had just been signed to the Chicago Bears after being kicked off three different teams due to his anger issues.
His talent was undeniable, but his temper had cost him millions, endorsements, and nearly his career.
Now, in order to play next season, he had to complete therapy—so he came to the best in the business, the most recommended therapist money could buy: Sevyn Love.
She caught him checking her out a few times during the session, his gaze lingering on her a little too long, but she brushed it off and remained professional. To his credit, despite his wandering eyes, he kept his demeanor controlled, engaged, genuinely trying to get something out of their session.
"What does it feel like when the anger hits?
" Sevyn asked, her tone smooth, soft, as she crossed one leg over the other.
Normally, she would do physical practices with clients suffering from anger issues— breath work, movement exercises, anything that let them release pent-up aggression in a controlled way.
But Xavier was new, and before she could work through his emotions, she had to understand them. She had to pick his brain first.
Xavier exhaled heavily, shaking his head as if he was searching for the right words.
"I don’t know. It’s just… like a switch." His voice was sharp, yet soft at the same time. "One second I’m cool, and then, boom—I feel like I gotta prove something. Like I gotta shut whoever up before they think I’m soft."
Sevyn noted the tension in his jaw, the way his fingers flexed slightly, like even talking about it triggered something in him. She calmly jotted down notes, keeping her energy relaxed, unaffected.
"I'm just gathering information," she explained smoothly when she caught him watching her write. "Getting to know you, remembering the things that’s important to you."
Xavier nodded, his shoulders loosening slightly. He still wasn’t fully comfortable, but she could tell he was trying—and that was all she needed for now.
"And what happens after?" Sevyn’s voice was soft, her eyes focused on Xavier, waiting for him to dig a little deeper. But before he could answer, the office door burst open, making her jump.
Her head snapped toward the door, her body freezing the second her eyes landed on him.
Hassan.
Her stomach flipped, and for a brief second, butterflies erupted in her chest, a reaction she hated herself for.
Sevyn’s thoughts flashed back to her conversation with Harper earlier—how Hassan had pulled up on her in the middle of the night, demanding answers, convinced they had set him up. Was he here for her? W as he about to kill her?
The sound of Micah’s nervous voice broke through her haze. "I'm sorry, Ms. Love. I tried to stop him, but—"
Sevyn barely heard her. She was too busy watching the way Hassan’s gaze locked onto Xavier like he was a problem that needed to be handled. Xavier wasn’t the type to back down either, and when he mugged Hassan back, the tension in the room tripled.
She swallowed, her heartbeat hammering in her ears, but she forced herself to stay grounded.
"It’s fine, Micah. Thank you, I got this." Her voice was sharp, professional, her glare cutting as she stared at Hassan.