Page 37 of One Last Regret

He leans back in his chair. “Hmm… That’s much the answer I expected.”

I blink and frown at him. “What do you mean, you expected? I thought we were talking about the children.”

“You’re their caretaker. Your mental health is vital for their own recovery.”

“I didn’t agree to be seen by you.”

“If you do, then I assure you, we will dive far deeper into your psyche than I am now.” Before I can reply, he lifts his hands to quiet me. “Let me explain, though. You seem very strong-willed, Mary. You are very protective of those you care for, and you are very firmly rooted in your interpretation of reality.”

Two for three, doc, I think somewhat pettily. “Yes? And?”

“And you don’t like losing, because losing means one or more of three things: one, it doesn’t matter how strong you are; two, you aren’t able to protect those you care for; or three, your interpretation of reality is false.”

I stare at him for a moment. His expression no longer seems kindly to me. Behind his rosy cheeks and gentle eyes, he’s just as smug as all psychologists. “I assure you, I am quite grounded.”

“Yes, you are,” he agrees. “Which means you are vulnerable when the ground underneath you isn’t solid.”

I stiffen and demand, “What exactly is it you’re trying to say?”

Instead of answering my question, he asks one of his own. “What is your interpretation of what’s happening to this family? If you had to give it your best guess, what would you say?”

I want to tell him to do something vulgar to himself, but heisthe children’s doctor, and my performance upstairs has made it clear that the children need help I can’t give. I have to put my personal opinions aside and focus on their wellbeing.

“I would say that they’ve never recovered from Marcel’s death,” I reply. “Losing their grandfather, father and husband devastated them. He was the glue that held this family together, and with him gone, the family is unraveling. Josephine is struggling with a business she likely never expected to manage and navigating a rivalry with… navigating business rivalries—”

“There is no need to be coy,” Dr. Yarrow interrupts. “I’m well aware of the rivalry between the Lacroixs and the Durands.”

I nod. “I don’t think Josephine enjoys it. Not just the rivalry. The business, the legacy, the shadow of Marcel… I think if she could manage it, she would be free of all of it. But she feels trapped by her love of Marcel and the responsibility she feels she has to maintain his legacy.”

“I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. I don’t even know if she loved Marcel or only worshipped him. I trust I don’t need to tell you the very crucial difference between the two emotions.”

“No.”

He nods. “And Etienne?”

I frown again. “Why are you asking me for my opinion? Why not ask them?”

“I will. And they’ll stonewall me. You’re very observant, and I must know the situation in which the children find themselves. If I hadn’t heard Philippa quit rather convincingly, I would be asking about her too.”

I purse my lips and sip more of my tea. "Etienne feels conflicted. He doesn't want to leave his mother to fail on her own, but he doesn't want his children to suffer anymore. He wants to leave the house, leave the Midnight Melody, and start a new life free of the darkness surrounding his father. I suppose he feels trapped too. After all, he's still here despite his many attempts to leave."

Dr, Yarrow nods. “Yes. I agree with that too. Has he shown any anger since you’ve been here?”

“Anger? No. Frustration at times, but nothing that rises to the point of violence. Nothing that makes me feel threatened at all. In fact, the only—”

I stop myself, but not in time. Dr. Yarrow raises an eyebrow, and when I don't continue, he prods, "The only what?’

“Nothing. I… No. Etienne is perfectly safe.”

“But you’re not?”

I frown at him. “Is that a question?”

“Is there an answer?”

“Stop being coy,” I snap. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Do you feel safe here, Mary? Do you feel all right?”

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