Page 79 of Shadows of Recovery

Charlotte's eyes remained fierce, her anger palpable. "I can't stand seeing her like this, Chris. She needs a stable environment, maybe another facility. This place... it doesn't seem to be helping."

Chris nodded, acknowledging her concerns. "I know you want the best for Sophie, and I want that too. I'm here to help you with whatever decision you make. But I want to point out something important. Sophie didn’t let go of Tristan’s hand. It showed that she trusts him. She wants that connection, and it's a significant step forward."

Charlotte's face softened slightly, but her voice was still tight with emotion. "You think Tristan can help her?"

Chris leaned forward, his eyes sincere. "I truly believe he can. He’s a skilled physician, but he’s functioning as her boyfriend—a man she trusts. If you'll allow me to work with Sophie, and Tristan, I have a treatment plan in mind that I think could make a real difference."

Charlotte hesitated, but then nodded. "Tell me about this plan."

Chris took another deep breath. "The first step is to create a safe and predictable environment for Sophie. This means hand-picking staff who will be consistently involved in her care. Only those staff members will interact with her, to build trust and familiarity. We'll start with trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy to help her process her experiences in a safe space. Gradually, we'll incorporate exposure therapy to help her face her fears in a controlled and supportive manner."

Charlotte's eyes remained sharp, but a flicker of hope appeared. "Alright, let's give this a chance. But know this—I will not tolerate any more setbacks. Sophie deserves the best, and I will make sure she gets it."

Chris reached out and gently took her hand. "We had no time to get her settled before Kay flipped her world upside down. I think the plan will work. But it's going to take time, patience, and a lot of support. If we can give her that, I believe Sophie can start to heal."

Charlotte squeezed his hand, her anger giving way to a cautious hope. "Alright, I'll trust you with this. But you have to promise me, only the staff you hand-pick will be near her. No one else."

Chris nodded firmly. "You have my word. We'll do everything we can to help Sophie."

She raised a brow. “I have one more question. Why did you tell me Kay’s name? You opened the Institute up for a lawsuit.”

“I’ve found honesty is the best policy.” He smiled.

With a sigh, Charlotte wiped away her tears. "Thank you, Chris. For everything."

He gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll get through this. For Sophie."

Thirty

Sophie wept and whimpered, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The man tightened his grip, but his voice was soothing. "Hey there, you're safe now. I'm Tristan."

Could she believe him? Her mind was filled with fear and confusion, the nightmare's grip tightening with each passing second. The fear was suffocating, an invisible weight crushing her chest. Her pulse pounded in her ears as she tried to calm the frantic beating of her heart. She felt Tristan let go, and panic surged through her.

"No, please stay," she begged, her voice trembling. She believed him.

Tristan opened the door and called out, "Chris! We need help in here!"

Moments later, Chris entered the room, accompanied by a woman. Sophie blinked. Was her mind playing tricks on her? Was this her mother? She wanted it to be, needed the comfort of a familiar face.

“Momma?”

“Yes, I’m right here. Momma is here.”

Chris approached her gently. "Sophie, we're going to help you feel better. We’re going to give you some Ativan. You can trust us."

She thought about it, the rational part of her mind reminding her that Ativan would ease the suffocating panic. She nodded weakly, clutching Tristan's hand as if it were a lifeline.

Chris took her hands, his voice steady and calm. "You're doing great, Sophie. We're here for you."

Another man entered the room carrying a syringe. He introduced himself with a kind smile. "Hi, Sophie, I'm Matt. I'm going to give you some medicine to help you relax, okay?"

She glanced down and noticed the IV lock in her arm, something she hadn't noticed before. Matt moved slowly, ensuring she could see everything he was doing. As he injected the medication, a wave of drowsiness washed over her. She held on to Tristan's hand.

Her eyelids grew heavy, and the dark edges of her vision began to blur. The fear receded, replaced by a growing sense of calm. She clung to Tristan until she couldn't anymore, her grip loosening as sleep took over.

In those final moments before sleep claimed her, Sophie felt a glimmer of quiet. Maybe, just maybe, she could trust these people. As the darkness of the nightmare faded into the background, she drifted into a deep, restful sleep.

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