Page 60 of Merciless Sinner

Virgo seems to drift from one extreme to another. It’s like I'm caught in a game with him, which can get exhausting.

After the appointment, I'm going shopping with Amelia, then I'm headed to Seamus’ house to visit him and Cillian. There, I'll spend the rest of the day. As nervous as I am to see Cillian, the break from Virgo is most welcomed.

He continues talking, and my mind drifts further. I recall the last hospital I stayed in. That was when I woke up after the incident. That feeling of not knowing anything is one of the worst possible feelings I could ever have experienced. Every day after that, I feared reliving that same experience.

My mind was a blank slate of nothingness. What was worse was looking at my face and not knowing who I was, where I came from, my name, just nothing.

The doctors and nurses who looked after me were supportive, but that terror I experienced is one I'll never be able to shake from my mind.

The next clinical professional I saw was at the convent. We had various therapy sessions until the money Kevin paid ran out, along with my welcome.

The convent wasn’t willing to continue my treatment, and I couldn't expect them to.

My mind returns to the present when the secretary approaches us with a warm smile that crinkles the corners of her eyes.

"Dr. Belmont is ready to see you now," she says.

Virgo and I stand, and she guides us to Dr. Belmont's office at the end of the corridor.

We walk through an open frosted glass door and find him sitting behind a desk. He's a tall, well-built man with short dark hair and a kind face. I always study people's faces more than usual—their eyes, their mouths, their expressions. It helps me to assess how a person might interact with me. "Hi." He stands, entending his hand to shake Virgo's, then mine. "I'm Dr. Belmont.”

“Thank you for seeing us,” Virgo replies.

“That’s no problem at all.”

Dr. Belmont looks at me as if he's already assessing me, probably because I barely moved my lips to say hello.

He then switches his gaze back to Virgo. "As good as it is to see you here, Mr. Antonov, I prefer to see the patient for our initial consultation by themselves unless they specifically request the company of a friend or family member."

"No." Virgo is shaking his head before he can finish. "I will stay here. It's better if I'm here to help fill in the blanks where necessary and give guidance on various things. I'd also like to know what you discuss."

"I understand that," Dr. Belmont says, "but this first consultation is one where we get to know each other on a one-on-one basis."

"That doesn't mean I don't need to be here."

I touch Virgo's arm, tugging on the sleeve of his shirt. "Virgo, 'll be okay," I assure him.

He gives me a look of displeasure, and his brows snap together. "You need me here," he insists.

"It will be okay to leave me by myself, if that's what the doctor wants us to do." Honestly, I would prefer to see the doctor without him.

“You can just sit outside the room." Dr. Belmont points through the door. "Literally outside the room. I'll call you in if I need you or ifsheneeds you. Can we do that?"

Virgo's shoulders tense. "Yeah. Sure. Okay." He looks back at me, worry filling his face, but he leaves the room and closes the door behind him.

With him gone, I turn back to face. Dr. Belmont, who is already looking at me. "I'm sorry. He can be really intense sometimes."

"No need to apologize. I've come across Virgo Antonov before." He dips his head, and I wonder if he might be someone else I know but don't remember.

"Do I know you?" I check. "I really don't remember anything or anyone."

He gives me look of sympathy and shakes his head. "That's okay. And you don't know me. I'm just a doctor who is used to traveling in the same circles Virgo does."

That means the mafia, I realize.

"How about you sit, and we get started?" He motions to the chair in front of him.

"Sure."

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