Chapter 008

The number sat in her phone's contacts like a thorn beneath her skin. Elena hadn't called it yet, but the act of saving it felt like crossing a fragile line she'd avoided for too long. That night, after Daniel's letter, she barely slept—every creak in the house had her sitting up straight, every rustle of the wind sounded like footsteps.

When dawn finally bled into the sky, she looked at herself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back. Her eyes were tired, puffy from holding in tears. Her skin looked dull, lips chapped. Even her posture spoke of someone exhausted not just physically, but from carrying the weight of a war no one else could see.

She dialed the number just after 9 a.m.

A soft voice answered. "Dr. Lisa Voss office. How can I help you?"

There was a pause, the kind that hangs in the air like a held breath.

"I… I was referred," Elena finally said. "By Mara—Mara Ikenna. She scheduled something under my name, I think."

"Yes," the voice replied warmly. "You're Elena, right? We have you down for an open intake this Friday at 11 a.m. Would that time still work for you?"

Elena didn't know why her voice trembled. "Yes… Yes, that's fine."

"We'll see you then, Elena. Thank you for calling."

She hung up and stared at her phone. Just like that, it was real.

The rest of her week passed like she was wading through honey. Sticky. Slow. Heavy.

Nathan remained attentive, though quieter now. She caught him watching her more than usual—his gaze soft but probing. Like he was trying to piece together a puzzle she wasn't letting him solve.

On Wednesday night, after dinner, they were curled up on the couch. The TV played some crime drama they weren't even watching. Elena had her head on his shoulder, but her body was stiff, tense—like even comfort had become a burden.

Nathan turned down the volume and said, "I've been thinking."

She glanced up, heart already rising with caution. "About what?"

"About us."

Elena didn't respond, waiting.

"You've seemed off for a while now. I didn't want to push because I thought maybe it was work. Or family. But now… I don't know, Elena. I feel like you're here, but not really here with me."

She swallowed hard. "I'm just tired, Nate. That's all."

"You called me Daniel the other night."

The words sat there between them like broken glass.

Her throat tightened. "I told you… it was a slip. Nothing more."

"I believe you," he said gently. "But I also think something's bothering you more than you're letting on. And I can't help if you won't let me in."

Elena wanted to tell him everything. About the letter. About the memories clawing at her brain. About the dreams that felt more like messages. But she couldn't. Not yet.

"I've been thinking about therapy," she whispered instead.

Nathan turned to her, surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah… Mara suggested it. She set something up. I think I'm gonna go."

He placed a hand on hers, his warmth grounding her. "I think that's a good idea. And I'm proud of you."

Her lips twitched in a smile, small and weary. "Thanks."

But inside, she felt anything but steady.

Friday came too quickly.

Dr. Lila's office was nestled in a quiet compound surrounded by leafy trees. It didn't look clinical or intimidating. In fact, it looked more like a cozy reading room. That almost made it worse. She had no excuse to bolt.

Dr. Lila herself was in her early forties, with soft eyes and the kind of calm presence that made you feel seen even in silence. She welcomed Elena with no judgment, no pressure. Just a soft invitation to sit, and a cup of tea if she wanted it.

"So, Elena," she began after a few minutes, "why do you think you're here today?"

Elena laughed dryly. "I honestly don't know where to start."

"Start wherever you want. This is your space."

There was a long pause. Then the words came—not all at once, but slow and trembling.

"I… left someone. Years ago. Someone I loved in the worst way. He was toxic. Controlling. There were good moments, but mostly… he broke me."

Dr. Lila nodded, patient.

"I rebuilt myself. Moved away. Changed my number. Started a new life. Met someone kind. I got married. But lately… it's like he's back. Not physically—at least I don't think so. But in my head. My dreams. My thoughts. And now…"

She trailed off.

"Now?" Dr. Lisa prompted gently.

"I got a letter. Two, actually. One from you, thanks to Mara. The other… from him. Daniel."

There it was. Said aloud.

"Elena, do you believe Daniel knows where you live now?"

"I don't know," she said, eyes glassy. "I mean… I moved here for a fresh start. I never told him where I went. But the letter was… specific. He said he saw me. Said I looked beautiful in blue. And I wore blue that day. The same day I got the letter."

Dr. leaned in slightly. "That must have felt terrifying."

"It did. Still does. I don't know if he's playing mind games or if he's really in town."

Dr. Lila's expression didn't change, but her tone grew firmer. "We'll take this one step at a time. You're safe here. And we're going to help you feel safe again, everywhere else."

That night, Elena sat in bed while Nathan was in the shower. The bathroom light glowed beneath the door, casting long shadows across the floor.

She stared at the third envelope that had arrived earlier that day.

This one was left in her car.

She hadn't told Nathan.

Inside the note were only four words:

"Still think of you."

No name. No signature.

But she knew.

Her fingers trembled as she folded the note back in.

Reality and memory were colliding now. The Daniel in her head had a voice again. The world she'd run from was pressing at the edges of her new one.

But she wasn't running anymore.

She'd started therapy.

And now?

Now she was going to find out if Daniel was really back—or if her own ghosts were playing games with her sanity.

Either way, she would find the truth.

Even if it broke her.