Page 63 of The Amendment

“Of course,” I assured her.

“Okay, great. Should we get started then?”

She liked when I told her what to do.

“Yes. I’d like that.”

She smiled.

She’d liked that, too.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

AINSLEY

Ipulled up outside Joanna’s office a week after our first session. We’d agreed not to go back—not wanting to be seen and remembered by her secretary—but I couldn’t resist the urge to see her again.

Peter was ready to kill her. To take her out and be done with it all, but I just wasn’t.

Meeting her had changed my mind.

I could never explain it to my husband, but in the strangest way, I felt as if Joanna was me.

With a twist of fate, I could’ve been her. If one of the husbands, boyfriends, or fathers of any of his victims had killed my husband, I’d be the woman left behind.

The liability.

Perhaps they would’ve killed me simply for loving him.

Even if I was oblivious to his crimes.

WasJoanna oblivious? Surely she didn’t know what he was doing. Not to children… She was a therapist. Of all people, she understood the ramifications.

It was why I needed to go back. To look her in the eye without Peter there, to talk to her honestly and try to get a better read on who she was as a person.

“Annie?” The door to her office opened, and she stepped out, her eyes washing over me. “I’m so glad you could come.” Her smile seemed so genuine I wanted to believe her.

Then again, it was her job to make me believe her, wasn’t it?

How many of her clients did she actually like?

How many did she dread seeing?

I stood, following her lead as she ushered me into the office. “Thanks for fitting me into your schedule. You’re probably wondering why I’m here alone…” I sat on the sofa and watched as she moved to sit in front of me, her brows knitted together with apparent confusion. “The truth is, I think I might see more benefit from coming to see you by myself than if Pete and I came together.”

“I see…” She studied me.

“He’s not really big on therapy, as I’m sure you could tell, but I think you might be able to help me, even if I can’t get him back.”

She nodded slowly, obviously processing the fact that we weren’t coming back. “What is it you need help with?”

Suddenly, I felt as if I’d overstepped. “Is this okay?” I moved to stand. “If this is out of line, just let me know. You’ve already met the two of us. I can understand if it’s against the rules for you to see me separat—”

“Annie, sit,” she said, holding a hand out. “You aren’t breaking any rules. I’m glad you’re here.”

Whether or not it was true, I wanted to believe it.

“Thank you.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry I’m such a mess. This is kind of overwhelming, you know?”

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