Chapter 28

Adler had told me I should be assertive, right? He had said not to flinch, speak my mind, and even demand what I want.

But what if that person was everything your trauma embodied? What if you couldn't help but want to create enough distance because you never really moved on from him?

"Honey," Clare's calm voice reached me as my fingers clutched tightly at my gown, and my knuckles turned white. "Are you okay?"

Was I okay? No, I wasn't. I turned to her and nodded, lips curving as usual, "Yes, I am fine," I bent down to pick up the book I had let go some seconds ago, holding it as if it could protect me.

Greg let his eyes roam on the walls, the ceiling, and even the senior citizens and my well-to-do cousin did not hesitate to show the disdain he held for every one of them.

Finally, his attention was back on me, and he motioned to the door with his pupils, "Come on, somewhere private."

I would have said no, told him to leave, call security on him, but knowi