Page 54 of Penalty to the Heart

But maybe I was wrong.

Maybe he considers his scars too ugly to show to the world.

Along with a deep sense of disappointment, I also find myself feeling extremely sad for him.

If he doesn’t take steps to ease the guilt and the pain he’s carrying, I’m afraid he’ll lose himself in his despair.

Feeling depleted of all my energy, I start to pack everything away so I can head home, too. As I hold his file in my hands, ready to place it back in the filing cabinet, I pause to take a minute to look at his picture.

I brush my fingers over it and let out a sigh.

With his playful grin and a mischievous glint in his eyes, Caleb looks free of any burden the world may hold.

Whoever this man was, he’s not the one I’ve met.

“Is that my file?” I hear Caleb ask behind me, causing me to jump and let the file drop on the floor.

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” He smiles softly, rushing to pick the scattered sheets of paper off the floor.

“I… um… no… you didn’t,” I stammer as I go to my haunches to help him.

“Liar.” He grins, a flash of his roguish personality coming through. “We really need to stop meeting like this.”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.” He shakes his head and hands me the papers in his hand.

Once I have everything neatly packed, I place his file on top of my desk.

“I didn’t think you would come,” I tell him honestly.

“Yeah, well… neither did I.” He frowns while running his fingers through his brown curls.

“What changed your mind?”

“You.”

I swallow the lump that jumps to my throat at the vulnerable sincerity in his eyes.

“Well, I’m glad you came. I truly am,” I reply, thankful that my voice remains even and professional.

“Let’s see how glad you are about it in a few weeks’ time. I’m sure you’ll get tired of my face soon enough.”

Doubtful.

I shrug that curious thought away and give him a reassuring smile.

“Shall we begin then?”

“Might as well.” He shrugs, walking over to the couch. However, instead of plopping on it like he’s become accustomed to, he surprises me by sitting on the floor, preferring to lean against it, and hugging his knees to his chest.

I don’t ask why he prefers the floor to the couch and instead turn to grab my things off my desk so we can start our session.

But just as I’m about to sit down on the armchair, Caleb stops me.

“Do you mind if you sit next to me?”

My jaw goes agape at the peculiar request.

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