Page 54 of Endless Harmonies

That would have hurt.

“No,” she screams. “I will not do this!”

“Who is in charge, Lennon?” Dr. Bradley asks from the safety of the other side of the room. I don’t blame her. My girl is fucking fierce.

“Me,” she says before slapping the fuck out of me. I welcome the sting as she hits me. “I could have killed you, you asshole!”

Her pupils are going back to normal, and I can tell that I have my Lennon back.

“Killing me was never in the cards, Baby,” I smirk. “You’ve survived me torturing you, Xav attempting to control you, and now the goddamned pineapple.”

Lennon flinches but stills as she realizes that she hasn’t gone dark.

“Oh my God,” she whispers.

“We’ll do more work together to ensure this isn’t a fluke,” her therapist says from the safety of her corner.

“O,” she breathes.

“I was an asshole,” I admit. “I needed it to be a surprise when I triggered you. I had your consent, but the timing had to be right.”

“I was raw already,” she agrees. “It was easier to push because I was surrounded by memories of Hidden Hills.” The tears still glitter on her cheeks, her eyes gray storm clouds.

“Aye,” I rasp. I’m spending too much time with Roark and Turner apparently. “I wish I could have thought of a different way.”

“I know,” she says softly, sobbing in a breath.

It hurts my heart to hear that much sorrow and relief so close together. My arms tighten around her and I stare up into her eyes.

“I wish I could say I’m sorry,” I tell her honestly. I’m not, that’s the sad part. I can wish that it wasn’t necessary, but I can’t find remorse for this. It’s part of what makes me broken. Lennon needed closure, and this is the only way I could think of to help her.

She nods, burying her face in my neck. I do the only thing I can: hold my girl.

“I’ll be billing you for the hole in the wall,” Dr. Bradley mutters under her breath.

All I can do is smirk because I deserve it. Lennon is one step closer to trusting her freedom. Every day she earns it by staying in the light, and loving us all.

My darling girl isn’t a slave to her past. The nightmares may still make an appearance, but that’s okay. We’ll always be there to pull her out of the pits of darkness.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

Lennon

“Ican’t believe the wedding is in two days,” my sister squeals, making me grin. Everything is done. The guys have their tuxes, all of the details are set, I just have to pick up my dress from alterations.

“This boutique made miracles happen with this fast of a turnaround for your dress,” Uncle Jordan murmurs as he drives us.

He insisted on a girls’ day before I got married, and I was happy to oblige. Saira is even with us in the car seat, and I kiss her toes from where I’m sitting next to her in the back seat. Uncle Jordan said he would wear her in the baby carrier while I’m getting fitted for my dress to make sure it’s perfect.

I’m the last person to begrudge my uncle some baby snuggles. It’s even cuter when he reaches for the diaper bag once Saira is situated in the carrier.

“You’re a natural,” I sigh happily as I close the door behind him.

“It’s been a while since I’ve taken care of a baby, but I remember how.” He grins, glancing at Layla.

“Dad and Uncle Jordan were close when I was little,” she says as we begin walking down the sidewalk toward the boutique. “I remember that they used to take me to a lot of park dates. Uncle Jordan also sprung for ice cream.”

My lips quirk up because that sounds nice. I don’t have any memories like that, but I won’t begrudge her for them. My little sister deserves all of the best things in life. I’m genuinely happy that she had this with my uncle and sperm donor.

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