Chapter 474
She didn’t rush to answer.
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She just rubbed my back slowly, rhythmically–the way I imagined a mother would comfort her child after a nightmare. The way someone who loved you deeply would.
After a long moment, she asked softly, “Do you want to talk to someone? You’d really need that right now p>
I nodded against her shoulder. “Yes. But not a therapist from here. ” I pulled back, wiping my face. “If I ask Reginald for one, he’ll send someone loyal to him. Someone who’ll report everything I say. I won’t do that p>
River thought for a moment.
“I can be your therapist,” she said.
I blinked at her. “You? ”
She shrugged, smiling. “ I studied psychology. I’m not licensed, obviously. But I know enough. And I know you p>
A weak laugh escaped me despite everything. “You definitely know your way around my head, don’t you p>
“I’m getting familiar,” she teased.
“Thank you, ” I whispered.
She squeezed my arm. “We’ll include Roman too p>
I frowned. “How? ”
She tipped her chin toward his bed. “Come. I’ll show you p>
She took my hand and led me across the room. The moment I stepped closer to Roman, my chest tightened the way it always did–like my heart was bracing itself for pain it already knew was coming.
River gestured for me to sit on the chair to the left of the bed. She took the one on the right. Roman lay between us, pale and still, his
lashes casting faint shadows against his cheeks.
“ Just like a therapist,” I muttered nervously.
She smiled. “Exactly. Take a deep breath p>
I inhaled shakily, then exhaled. “Sorry. Roman usually helps me with breathing exercises. ”
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Chapter 474
Her expression softened. “I know p>
She tilted her head. “What else does he help you with? ”
I glanced up, startled. “Have we started already? ”
She shrugged. “We have p>
I looked back at Roman, at his hands resting limply on the sheets. I played with my fingers, anxiety crawling under my skin.
“Everything,” I said finally. “He helps me with everything. Big things. Small things.” My throat tightened. “Even stupid things like taking
off my shoes when I’m too tired p>
River nodded, encouraging me to continue.
“And what do you help him with?” she asked gently. “If the roles were reversed–if someone asked Roman what you do for him – what
would he say? ”
I opened my mouth. Closed it. Tried again.
Nothing came.
Panic bloomed in my chest. “I–I don’t know,” I whispered.
River didn’t rush me.
“I mean… I love him,” I said weakly. “I support him. I p>
She waited. The silence stretched, broken only by the monitor’s steady rhythm.
“I don’t do enough,” I said finally, the truth landing like a blow. “He carries everything. He protects me. Grounds me. Holds me together.” My voice trembled. “And now I can’t even do that for him p>
Tears spilled freely.
“I feel useless, ” I sobbed. “He’s lying here and I can’t fix it. I can’t wake him up. I can’t even tell him I’m scared p>
River leaned forward and gently took Roman’s hand, then guided my own to rest over his.
“You’re here, ” she said softly. “That matters p>
“But it’s not enough p>
“It is,” she insisted. “You’re carrying his child. You’re fighting his father. You’re surviving.” Her voice softened. “ You think Roman would
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Chapter 474
call that nothing p>
I squeezed Roman’s hand, my tears dripping onto the sheets. “I need him,” I whispered. “I need him so badly p>
“I know,” River said.
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And for the first time since he’d fallen into that awful, unnatural stillness, I allowed myself to believe something else. That he needed me.
Even like this.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.