Page 150 of Begin Again, Part 1

"As well as they can be, I guess," she said, still wringing her hands on her lap. "My parents are divorcing."

Liam breathed in sharply at her announcement, and stared at her, but she looked straight ahead. She didn't think she could handle the pity in his eyes.

"Anyway," she shrugged carelessly, trying her damnedest to pretend she was not in the least affected by everything. "They've never loved each other, but had to pretend for my sake. Now that I'm old enough to handle the truth, I guess there's no need for them to keep up with the facade."

Liam surprised her when he took her hand and held it, refusing to let it go even when she tried to snatch it away.

"How do you feel about their divorce?" Linda asked and carried on scribbling on a new page.

"I don't know. But I think confused, hurt, and angry are the forerunners at the moment." Eden said, smiling a little when she saw the time on the clock.

Just ten more minutes, and it would all be over.

"You have every right to be hurt. It's your family, and it's changing. You are allowed to mourn the loss that comes with those changes," Linda said.

"I'm not even close to them, so I shouldn't feel this way. But I thought they were in love and happy, even though they never looked like they were. But now—" Eden's voice trailed off, and she gripped Liam's fingers harder, grateful for his comfort, however fleeting.

"Now?" Linda prodded.

"It's made me question everything and rethink stuff I used to believe in."

"What kind of stuff?"

Eden shrugged. "I don't know. Love, relationships, marriage—"

"How so?"

"I—Uh—I don't know how to explain it," Eden replied and stared at her hands.

Linda nodded and closed her notebook. "Is there anything else you'd like to share?"

Eden shook her head. She'd shared way more than she wanted and should have.

"Alright, but if you want to talk, I'm just a phone call away," the therapist said as she opened her notebook again and scribbled her contact details, tore off the page and handed it to her before she left her seat to clear the reception area.

Liam turned to her as soon as they were alone. "When did you find out?"

"Last Friday, at La Famiglia," she replied.

He paused for a tense nanosecond before carrying on. "And you didn't tell me?"

"How would that have changed anything?"

"You told Linda," he accused. "I was there with you. I held you when you cried. Do you know how worried I was about you that night? Why didn't you tell me?"

Linda waltzed back in, postponing what could have turned into another tear-inducing fight. She held the door for them as she showed them out. "You're good to go."

Liam walked ahead, barely saying a word to his therapist.

"Remember, Eden, if you want to chat about anything, I'm here," Linda offered as she walked them to the elevators.

Eden nodded, even though she knew she wouldn't take her up on her offer. Not with her insane hourly rates.

"Next week's session, you don't need to come with me," Liam announced when they were in the elevator.

Bewildered, Eden asked. "Why? Did I do something wrong? I know I shouldn't have hijacked your session, and I'm sorry. But Linda tricked me into getting me to talk."

Liam ignored her and stunned her with yet another announcement. "For all future sessions too, Ms McBride."

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