Page 44 of Mending Scars

Dr. Lowell scribbled on her notepad. “What’s stopped you?”

Kamden sat up and fixed his gaze on the window. “I deserve it—the pain, the guilt. I deserve to feel every bit of it, not be a coward and hide from it.”

His words stung my heart—I hated that he felt that way. He didn’t deserve any of what he was experiencing, especially when it was because he had been protecting me.

Dr. Lowell set her pen down. “I know it’s hard right now, and things will probably get worse before they get better. But, they will get better. Time heals all wounds.”

Did she really just say that?

I hated that stupid saying. “Is that what they tell you to say to everyone? That’s such generic bullshit. I can be the first to tell you that it doesn’t. Time just allows scars to form over your wounds that you never forget.” I crossed my arms over my chest and huffed in frustration. I didn’t care if I looked like a bratty child.

I hate therapists.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a smirk tilt Kamden’s lips. “Kaiya is an expert on wounds.”

Dr. Lowell directed her attention to me. “It’s not just time that heals your wounds. It’s a combination of various things. Support from your loved ones is a big part of it, too. You being here with Kamden is an example of that. Believe or not, you are helping so much with his healing process just by being here.”

I didn’t believe that, but then Kamden looked at me and gave me a small, but genuine smile. “She’s right,sorella.You’re the main reason that I’m doing this.”

I stared into his eyes—those familiar, stormy eyes that had kept me from completely losing it when my demons tried to pull me under. Reaching out, I placed my hand on his thigh. “I’m going to be there for you, Kam, just like you were for me. No one else ever has been.”

Silence settled over the room as Kam placed his hand over mine. After several seconds, Dr. Lowell broke it by saying, “The bond you two have is very strong. The love between you is apparent. I want to know more about how your relationship developed into what it is today. Tell me more about your family life when you were younger.”

I stiffened apprehensively and tightened my grip on Kamden’s leg. My eyes widened as they locked on his, and his jaw tensed as he swallowed deeply and rubbed my hand.

I darted my gaze to Dr. Lowell. “How is that relevant?”

She held my stare. “No matter how much you hate your past and family, they’re still a part of what made you who you are today. The source of most issues stems back to a specific part of someone’s past. You need to face them in order to move on.”

When neither one of us said anything, she directed her attention to Kamden and continued, “We’ve discussed your mother and brother extensively. Tell me more about your father.”

Kamden stilled his hand over mine. “Our dad left shortly after Kaleb was committed. I think that broke the last thread he was tied to us by.”

Dr. Lowell wrote on her notepad. “Was your father involved in your lives before that?”

Kamden shook his head and tightened his grip on my hand. “He was there, but not really there, you know? My mom didn’t make life easy, and I can’t imagine what he had to deal with being married to her. I think it was too much for him.”

Thinking about my father, or lack thereof, made me angry. I pulled my hand away from Kamden and crossed my arms over my chest again. I felt that my dad should’ve protected me from my mom and Kaleb, prevented any of what they’d done to me from ever happening. He was a complete failure as a father in my eyes.

“Kaiya, do you have anything that you would like to add?” Dr. Lowell inquired.

My eyes watered. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and avoided her gaze. I didn’t want to have another meltdown like when we talked about my mother, and typically anything involving my past triggered my outbursts. “I agree with what Kamden said—he described our father pretty accurately.”

“How does that make you feel?”

Damn it. This woman does not know when to quit. Fucking therapists.

Giving in, I sighed. “Angry. I think so much could’ve been prevented had he been more involved.”

“Do you think this had any effect on your relationship with Kamden?”

I glanced at Kamden before meeting Dr. Lowell’s eyes. “No. I kept everything to myself before everything happened with Kaleb. Our relationship didn’t develop until after that.” Looking over at my brother, I smiled softly. “He’s kept me from falling apart ever since.”

Kamden grinned and put his arm around my shoulders before pulling me into him. He kissed the top of my head and squeezed me tightly. He whispered softly against my hair, “Thank you for not giving up on me,sorella.”

Winding my arms around him, I returned his embrace. “I could never give up on you, Kam. Ever.”

Dr. Lowell spoke, “The support you give one another will be what pulls you through. I have no doubt in my mind that you will overcome this. Both of you.”

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