[Insider Exclusive] The Therapist Ch. 02 (Patreon)

Hey Friends! Hope everyone is having a great start to the year.

Chapter 2 is finally here! I started outlining it just days after posting Chapter 1. Path 3 won with a decisive 49% of the vote, so Nathan's taking the darker route. Once Hannah and I wrapped Window to Temptation, I dove straight into writing this.

Of course, my "roughly 5k words" goal nearly doubled. What can you do? 🤷‍♂️

I've also been chipping away at the Newlyweds Epilogue between writing sessions. I'm about 2/3 done and planning to finish it this weekend before jumping into EP.

Alright, enough from me. Can't wait to see what you think of the chapter and which path you'll choose for Ethan!

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The next twenty-four hours went by in a flash. Nathan spent the day getting the office in order, setting up his computer and the private server that would hold patient files. In Florida he had an office that was the size of a small house, here, he had 150 square feet to make it feel safe.

It was already mid-afternoon by the time he got everything in place. He took a step back and admired his handiwork. The room looked almost identical to the one he had in Florida. It was clean, cozy, safe. Then, he turned his attention to the four small boxes sitting on his desk.

Nathan mounted the camera on the wall above the leather couch, adjusting the bracket until the angle was perfect. This one was obvious and professional-looking, about the size of a deck of cards, with a small red recording light that would blink when active. The kind of equipment legitimate therapists used for session documentation.

He stepped back, walking to his side of the desk and bringing up the camera feed on his computer. The angle mattered more than anything. He needed plausible deniability just in case things went south... again. From this vantage point, the camera would capture Mei from the neck up. Next, he tested the microphone, making sure it picked up their conversation clearly. Everything was set up exactly as it should be. Anyone who saw the footage would see nothing more than a normal session between patient and therapist.

He'd tell Mei about the camera before her session later that day. He hoped it would put her mind at ease slightly about being alone with Nathan. Therapists recorded sessions all the time for note-taking purposes. Nothing unusual about it.

The other three were different.

He opened the the next and lifted out a camera disguised as a smoke detector. This one would mount on the opposite wall, giving him a different angle of the seating area. A profile views, and most importantly a full shot of her body the main camera might miss. The third rested in his palm, no bigger than a bottle cap, designed to tuck into the bookshelf at eye level. It would capture every micro expression on her face. The final camera would go in front of the Zen garden on his desk. It would provide a more intimate point of view during his sessions.

All of this was for research, of course. If Mei showed signs of instability like Grace had, he needed to be aware of them early on so he could plan accordingly. He would study her transformation, frame by frame and ensure the conditioning was having the intended affects. Perhaps even compare them to his sessions with Grace to watch for any anomalies.

He folded the step ladder and carried it to the closet, then paused at the diploma wall. He ran his fingers along the underside of the University of Florida frame until he found the edge of the wall safe hidden behind it. His heart began to race as he entered the six-digit number. The chirp of the password being accepted and the soft click of the lock releasing sent a rush of endorphins through him, the same thrill he used to feel before a first date.

Inside, arranged in neat rows like specimens in a collection, sat seven external hard drives. Each one contained hours of footage that no ethics board would ever see. He closed his eyes and let his fingers glide across each one, a satisfied smirk forming on his face as he felt his cock begin to swell.

When he opened his eyes, his hand was hovering over the third drive, conspicuously labeled 'GH-03'. This was her breakthrough session and he remembered it like it was yesterday. Grace walked into his office with a confidence he hadn't seen in her before. When he asked her about her weekend, her fingers went to the buttons on her shirt. Normally, she gripped the fabric, try to hold the shirt in a way that didn't show off her chest, but on this day she was casually popping the buttons open. It wasn't until the second button was undone that she seemed to understand what she was doing and reverted back to her normal behavior.

His hand clenched into a fist. That was also the first piece of evidence called at trial claiming that Nathan was manipulating her. They looked at that video and tried to paint it as proof that he knew she was attracted to him and he should have passed her off to another doctor. He chuckled at the absurdity of it all. Why would he pass her off after seeing exactly how much his methods worked? After months of failed intimacy with her husband she was starting to regain her libido after just a couple short sessions. Why did they frame that as a negative?

She'd been weak. That was the problem. Mentally fragile in ways he hadn't anticipated, prone to fractures he couldn't have predicted. Maybe he should have been more cautious given her background. Maybe he was blinded by his own ambition. But he had been so close to greatness, before she ruined it all unable to handle the gift he'd given her.

He closed the safe and rehung the diploma. Straightened it until the frame sat perfectly level.

Mei was different. She had a stronger foundation. Grace had already been fractured when she arrived. Not just with what happened on the island but also childhood trauma, depression. Mei was just repressed. Repression could be undone. Repression was exactly what his methods addressed.

This time, I'll prove what I've always known.

He crossed to the window and parted the plantation shutters. Right on time. Ethan and Mei stood on the front porch as he gestured toward Nathan's house. His mouth moved, encouraging words Nathan couldn't hear. Mei's arms were crossed tight over her chest, her shoulders hunched forward like she was bracing against wind that wasn't there.

Ethan leaned in and kissed her forehead while saying something that made her nod. Then, his hand slipped from her back and Mei started across the lawn.

Nathan watched her for a second, catching the way her gaze stayed on her feet, the way her hands clasped and unclasped at her waist. She wore loose fitting jeans, and a t-shirt of some band he didn't recognize. While not as buttoned up as she was yesterday, it was clear it wasn't her decision to be here.

Ethan is the key to making this work. He'll defend the process, make sure she stays comfortable.

He tore himself away from the window and began gathering the last of the boxes, tossing them into the waste basket under his desk. He took a deep breath as he scanned the room one more time for anything that looked out of place. When the doorbell rang, he counted to five before exiting the makeshift office and opening the door with a warm smile.

***

Mei stood at the door, her head bowed slightly, unwilling to make eye contact. He looked across the lawn where Ethan stood watching his wife like it was his child's first day of school.

"Mei. Welcome." He stepped aside, gesturing her in. "I'm glad you decided to join me today."

"Thank you." Her voice soft, like she was fighting the urge to run back the way she came. He guided her toward the office, watching as her eyes darted around the unfamiliar space.

"It's... different than yesterday," Mei noted as they stepped into the office and Nathan closed the door behind them.

"Just some minor adjustments, to make it feel more welcoming. Have a seat, please."

Mei stood in front of the couch, chewing on her lip. "You replaced the chairs?"

"When I practiced in Florida my clients always said the chairs were too stiff. They preferred the couch." She hesitated, unsure of where to sit, like even that was too intimate for her.

"I can drag this thing out and grab the chairs if you'd rather—"

"No." She sat awkwardly on the middle cushion. "Please, don't trouble yourself."

"Very well then. Can I get you something to drink? Water? Tea?"

"No... no thank you." She slowly adjusted her posture, making herself more comfortable.

"Very well." He walked to his side of the desk. Normally, he'd position his chair on the same side as his patient, but he sensed that Mei wasn't ready for that yet.

"Please, try not to be nervous." He settled into his seat, giving her a warm smile. "I appreciate you giving me a chance to help you today. I'm sure it wasn't easy coming alone."

Mei gave a weak smile.

"Before we begin, I want to make sure you understand that I record all my sessions. It helps me review and provide better care. Everything that happens in this room stays completely confidential—the recordings are for my professional use only. Is that okay?"

Mei glanced at the camera behind her, then back at Nathan. She nodded.

"I need verbal consent, Mei."

"Yes." She swallowed. "That's fine."

"Good." Nathan picked up his notepad, more for show than necessity. The cameras would capture everything he needed. "I thought we'd start with something simple today. Tell me about how you and Ethan met."

Mei's posture softened at the request. She sat up a little straighter, sitting back into the couch to get more comfortable. Her gaze found Nathan's and he smiled at her. She was relaxed, good, he needed to build trust with her for this to work.

"We had a few classes together in college. I was shy, and kept to myself, but Ethan," she giggled. "Well, you've met him. He would constantly overshare."

"I may have noticed that about him."

"Anyway, one day after class, he walked up to me and said he'd been working up the courage all week to ask me out. His roommate thought he was crazy. He must have rambled for at least 10 minutes." She giggled, a small dimple appearing in her cheek. "He took me to this Italian place, it was nice, and Ethan was, well, being Ethan. He was talking fast and using his hands a lot when he talked." She shook her head, laughing hard enough that tears welled in her eyes.

"He swung his arm a little too wide and sent the marinara sauce flying. It splattered all over the guy in the table next to us."

Nathan chuckled, and that seemed to be all the encouragement Mei needed to relax. Soon, they were both howling and spent the next five minutes trying to get their laughter under control.

"The best part," she continued, "was that the guy couldn't even be mad. Ethan apologized immediately, then spent the next five minutes telling him his life story and how he was blowing the date. I think he became just as enamored with Ethan that night as I did."

"That's quite the story. I'm sure you can't wait to tell that one to your kids."

She nodded, the smile still wide on her face.

"It sounds like you've always felt at ease with Ethan, even early on."

"I did. He was... easy. Does that make sense? Like, I didn't need to try with Ethan. I could just be."

"That's a beautiful foundation." Nathan made a note on his pad. "How did the date end? Was that your first kiss? Anything more?"

She sank down into the sofa slightly. Her smile flickered as her gaze dropped to the floor. "No." Her hands folded in her lap, thumb rubbing against palm.

Nathan let the moment sit, to see if she was going to expand on her answer. When it was clear she wasn't, he pressed.

"So, when was your first kiss. Tell me what that was like."

"It was... nice." He brought her bottom lip between her teeth, not daring to look up. "It was at his apartment. After our third date."

"Was Ethan your first kiss?"

"No." She looked up at Nathan, for a moment, it almost sounded like she was insulted. "I mean... There were other boys. Before him. A few."

"That's perfectly normal."

"But, it isn't like I was some kind of slut or something." Color rose to her cheeks. "It's not like I had a roster of guys I was running through. I just... I dated. A little. Like normal people do. I wasn't a prude."

Nathan tilted his head slightly. "Mei, why would I think that?"

"What?"

"You said you weren't a slut. I never suggested you were. Why was that the first place your mind went? Are you worried that people may view you a certain way?"

Her mouth opened, then closed. She looked over Nathan's shoulder, where light barely filtered in through the closed slats on the shutters.

"You mentioned your mother yesterday. Is she the one that—"

"I don't want to talk about my mother."

"That's okay." Nathan's voice remained soft, unthreatening. "We don't have to. Let me ask you something different." He waited until her gaze returned to him. "When did you know you wanted to marry Ethan?"

The tension in her shoulders released slightly. Not all the way, some of the earlier ease had been lost, but enough for him to notice.

"Thanksgiving," she said quietly. "His family's Thanksgiving. His mom made this huge meal and everyone was laughing and talking over each other and..." She trailed off, her eyes growing distant. "It was chaos. But it was loving. His dad told embarrassing stories about Ethan as a kid, and his sister kept stealing food off his plate, and nobody was..." She swallowed. "Nobody was keeping score. Nobody was waiting for someone to make a mistake so they could point it out."

"Was that different from your childhood?"

"It felt like what families looked like on tv." Her voice had gone soft. "I looked at Ethan across the table and I thought... I want this. I want to feel like this forever."

Nathan made another note. Seeking safety. Seeking belonging. Validation?

"When did you and Ethan first become intimate?" He watched her eyes go wide. How far into the relationship was it before you two had sex"

Her fingers tightened around each other, her jaw setting. "It was... we'd been dating for about six months. He brought it up. Said he wanted to, but only when I was ready."

"And were you? Ready?"

"I thought I was." Her fingers twisted together. "I... yeah. I think so."

"Do you enjoy sex with your husband now?"

The color in her cheeks deepened. "I... Sorry, is this really important? I mean, can't we talk about something else?

Nathan clicked his pen twice. It was a habit he'd picked up years ago. A way to break the silence in a room without being direct. "I think it is. Does it make you uncomfortable talking about sex?"

"I just... I don't understand why it matters if I enjoy it."

"Well," Nathan took a breath ensuring he was keeping his tone even. "Not wanting to be more adventurous with your husband could be your subconscious way of saying you don't enjoy sex."

"That's not it."

"So, you enjoy it?"

Sometimes. Parts of it." Mei flinched, realizing she'd been tricked into answering.

"Which parts?"

"I don't..." She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. "I like being close to him. I like when he holds me after."

Nathan made a note, she'd avoided the actual question and skipped straight to aftercare. He wanted to press her, to see if she even realized she'd done it, but her defenses were already high. Instead, he decided on a different tactic.

"Do you ever just catch him staring at you afterward?" He leaned forward. "Admiring your beauty after intimasy."

"I... no."

Nathan studied her for a moment, dancing around what he wanted to ask. "What about pictures? Most young married couples love to send flirty messages. Does Ethan ever ask for pictures?"

Mei shook her head. "I couldn't. I don't—" She let out a frustrated sigh. "No."

"Why not?"

Her hands pressed flat against her thighs. "I don't like... being looked at... like that."

"By Ethan?"

"By anyone." She looked directly at the Zen garden and Nathan's pulse quickened. "When we're together, I keep the lights off. I know he doesn't like it, but I can't... I don't like all the attention."

Nathan made a note, then looked up with a gentle expression. "Tell me about your wedding night. Was that different? Did you let him see you then?"

She went completely still. Nathan watched her hands begin to tremble in her lap. Her breathing had gone shallow, her chest barely moving. He actually thought she was going to run out the door, like he pushed too hard.

"I can't."

"Can't what?"

"I can't... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Her eyes darted to the door, then back to her lap. "I thought I could do this, but I can't. I'm sorry. Ethan wanted me to try, and I'm trying, but I can't talk about—" Her voice cracked. "I'm sorry."

Nathan set down his notepad and sat up straight in his chair.

"Mei. Look at me."

She lifted her gaze, her eyes glassy with tears.

"You don't have to apologize. What you're feeling right now, this overwhelming anxiety, it's your mind's way of protecting you from something painful." He watched her absorb what he was saying. "But it's also keeping you stuck. Keeping you from the intimacy you want with your husband."

The wind picked up outside, and a light rain began to fall. They listened in silence for a moment as the drops beat against the window picking up speed.

"There's a technique I use with clients who struggle to access difficult memories. It's called guided hypnosis. It allows you to explore these feelings without the anxiety overwhelming you."

Mei's brow furrowed. "Hypnosis? Like... making me cluck like a chicken?"

Nathan smiled appreciating her attempt at humor. "A little more subtle than that. Think of it more like deep relaxation. A way to quiet the noise in your mind so we can have a conversation without your defenses getting in the way."

"Is it... safe?"

"Completely. You'll be aware the entire time. If anything feels wrong, you can simply open your eyes and we stop."

"Will it hurt?"

"Not at all. Most people find it quite pleasant, actually."

She chewed her lip, glancing at the door again. "What will I remember?"

"Everything important. There may be some gaps due to the relaxed state of your body, but it won't be anything to worry about." He held her gaze, his voice steady and reassuring. "Mei, I know this feels scary. But Ethan sent you to me because he thought I could help. This is the best way of doing that. It will help make you the wife you want to be for him."

"Okay," she whispered. "I'll try."

"Good." Nathan rose from his chair and dimmed the lights slightly, leaving just the warm glow of the desk lamp. "Why don't you lie down? It will help you relax."

Mei glanced at the length of the sofa, then back at Nathan. "I'd rather sit. If that's okay."

"Of course." He didn't push. Not yet. "Whatever makes you comfortable. Just sit back. Let your hands rest in your lap."

She obeyed, settling deeper into the cushion.

"Now, I want you to focus on your breathing. In through your nose... hold it... and out through your mouth. Good. Again. In... hold... and out."

Her chest rose and fell in slow rhythm. His eyes darted to smoke detector, ensuring the angles would work.

"I want you focus on the clock on the wall. Watch the seconds hand as it ticks. Each tick makes you relax a little more. Watch is as you feel your anxiety begin to melt away." Her gaze stayed focused on the clock, each blink of her eyes lasting longer than the last. "Keep breathing. In... hold... out. Feel your body getting heavier with each breath."

Her eyelids fluttered.

"Your arms are heavy. Your legs are heavy. Every muscle in your body is releasing, letting go of all that tension you've been carrying." His voice had dropped into a lower register, each word flowing into the next like water. "You're safe here, Mei. Nothing can hurt you. You can let go."

Her hands went slack in her lap.

"Your eyes are getting heavy now. So heavy. It's okay to let them close. Let them close when you're ready."

Her eyelids drooped, fought to stay open, then finally surrendered. Her breathing had deepened, her chest rising and falling in slow, even waves.

"Can you hear me, Mei?"

A small nod. Without take his eyes off of her, he hit a few buttons on his keyboard, bringing up the camera feeds while pausing the feed. Later he adjust the footage as needed in case there were any questions.

"Good. Very good." Nathan studied her face. Her jaw was slack, her lips parted slightly. "When I count to three, you're going to feel yourself sinking deeper. Deeper and safer. One... two... three."

Her body seemed to melt into the couch, and she tucked her feet under her small frame.

***

"Mei, I want you to raise your right hand."

Her hand lifted from her lap, hovering a few inches above her thigh.

"Very good. Now lower it."

It dropped back down, limp and obedient.

Nathan's pulse quickened and he glanced toward the UF diploma on the wall. "I'm going to ask you some questions, and I want you to answer honestly. You're safe here. Nothing you say will be judged. You'll feel more free when you answer, like a weight has been lifted. Do you understand?"

She nodded slowly, laying back on the sofa and resting her hands in her lap.

"When you're intimate with Ethan, do you keep your eyes open or closed?"

"Closed." Her voice was distant, dreamy.

"Why?"

"So I don't have to see him looking at me."

"What are you afraid he'll see?"

Nathan watched her tongue slip from between her parted lips, gently wetting them. "That there's something wrong with me. That my body is... That I'm tainted. That I'm a whore who doesn't deserve his love."

The word choice was so out of character for Mei that Nathan actually flinched.

"Why are you tainted?"

"Before Ethan there were others. Not a lot, but a couple. My mother caught us once and..."

Her body began to shake, her breathing growing more rapid.

"It's okay, Mei. We don't have to discuss that." He jotted a quick note on his pad, her trauma went deeper than he thought. "Take a deep breath. You're relaxed here, calm."

The rapid movement of her chest began to even out.

"How did your mother catch you?"

I was being too loud. Home for winter break. I thought she was at work. The anger in her eyes, the disappointment." Her hands began to clench and unclench.

"It's okay, Mei. You're mother isn't here now." He moved to the other side of his desk, perching on the corner. "You should feel comfortable with your body, Mei. It's not tainted it's perfect. You should get enjoyment letting others see it." He paused, closing her eyes and taking another breath to contain his excitement. "Would you like me to help you with that, Mei? Would you like to feel comfortable with your body again?"

"Yes."

"Good." Nathan's mouth had gone dry. "I want you to stand up for me."

She rose from the sofa in one fluid motion, her eyes still closed, her arms hanging loose at her sides. The lamplight caught the curve of her cheek, the delicate line of her collarbone where it disappeared beneath her t-shirt.

"How do you feel?"

"Relaxed."

"Good. You're doing so well." He almost reached out, she was close enough now he could touch her, but he needed to show restraint. "Part of your healing is learning that your body is nothing to be ashamed of. That being seen is flattering, exciting even. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"I want you to take off your shirt."

Nathan watched her for any sign of resistance, a twitch of the hand, a furrow of her brow, but there was nothing. Her hands moved to the hem, then stopped. Hovering. Her fingers curled into the fabric but didn't lift. Her first sign of resistance.

"It's okay, Mei. This is part of your healing. Your body is beautiful. Nothing to hide."

Her fingers tightened into fists, lifting a fraction of an inch before pausing again. Then her grip loosened and she pulled the shirt over her head in one smooth motion. She stood before him in a plain white bra, her dark skin contrasting it in a way that made Nathan adjust himself. Her chest was larger than he'd first thought, behind those layers of clothes.

"How do you feel, Mei?"

"Good."

"Not anxious? Not ashamed?"

"No."

"Good. That's very good." His voice remained steady, but he could feel his heartbeat in his throat. "Now I want you to remove your jeans."

Her hands went to the button without hesitation. The zipper slid down. She pushed the denim over her hips and let it pool at her feet, stepping out of it without a second thought. White cotton underwear, to match the bra

She's responding perfectly. No resistance. Complete trust.

"You're doing beautifully, Mei. I want you to know that. Your body is nothing to be ashamed of. I can see why boys paid attention ton you in college."

The faintest smile formed on her lips. Nathan made another note. Vocal during sex in college before being caught by mother. Subconscious shows signs of enjoyment when complimented.

"Now. Remove your bra."

Her hands reached behind her back. The clasp released with a soft click that made Nathan's mouth go dry.

The bra slid down her arms and fell to the floor. Her nipples were the color of dark caramel against her golden skin, so different from Grace's pale pink ones. Smaller, too. Tight little buds that hardened in the cool air, drawing into peaks that begged to be touched.

Grace's breasts had been larger, heavier, nipples the size of quarters that flushed red when aroused. He'd spent hours with those recordings, studying every response. Were Mei's as sensitive? Would she gasp the same way when they were touched?

He shook his head trying to focus on the task at hand. He studied her face again. Her face remained neutral. She was completely desensitized proving his theory that exposure therapy was the correct path for her.

Exposure therapy. Desensitization. This is exactly what she needs.

"And your underwear."

She hooked her thumbs into the waistband. They trembled there. Her whole body trembled, actually, despite the room was warm. Nathan glanced at the camera above her shoulder he'd have to edit all of this out. She was more strong-willed than he'd given her credit for. A slight miscalculation he wouldn't make again.

"Mei. You're doing beautifully. One more step and you'll be free. Completely free of all that shame."

Her thumbs pressed down but the fabric didn't move. Some final wall trying to hold.

"Your mother was wrong about you. Your body isn't shameful. It's beautiful, and you should want to show it off."

The shiver stopped. Her thumbs pushed down and the underwear slid over her hips. Down her thighs. She stepped out of them carefully, standing naked before him.

She kept herself trimmed but not bare, a neat triangle of dark hair that did little to hide the soft swell of her mound. It was almost quaint. Grace had been waxed smooth, most women her age were, and he'd grown accustomed to that clean vulnerability. But there was something about Mei's modesty that stirred him in a different way. She groomed herself just enough to feel put-together, but not for anyone else's benefit. Not for Ethan. Certainly not for a lover's gaze.

He could see the faint shadow between her thighs, the soft crease where her legs met her pelvis. If he told her to spread them, she would. Without hesitation. Without memory. He wondered if he would find her wet.

The thought sent a pulse of heat straight to his groin.

Not yet. Establish the foundation first. Build the conditioning.

But God, it was tempting. She was so perfect standing there. Grace had always carried tension in her body and there was always a certain sexual energy with her. It came from years of conditioning, from her time with The Father, from being sexualized at such an early age. Some part of Grace had always been ready. But Mei... fuck, Mei was perfect. She was just wild enough when she was younger for her body to remember the joys, but conditioned long enough for her mind to reject the idea. The thought of severing that made his mouth water as his cock strained against his pants.

"How do you feel, Mei?"

"Light." She giggled softly. "Like I'm floating."

"That's wonderful. You should feel proud of yourself. You've taken an enormous step today." He kept his voice warm, even as his pulse hammered in his ears. "This is how you should feel when others see you like this. It should be freeing. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. When you get home tonight. I want you to make love to Ethan. I want you to enjoy it, the way you enjoyed it before your mother caught you."

"Okay."

"Good, now get dressed and in a moment I'll start counting backward. Then you wake, you'll feel refreshed and calm. You'll remember that we talked about your anxiety, and that you felt safe here. Do you understand?"

She nodded.

"Remember this moment, standing here, feeling free in your body, feeling proud of it. This feeling will stay with you. You'll begin to feel more comfortable being seen. By me. By Ethan. By others. It won't happen all at once, but it will happen. Do you understand?"

"Yes." She was already back in her panties and slipping her bra over her chest. Nathan was almost disappointed to see her dressing, but he knew it needed to be gradual. This wasn't something he could force. It was gentle suggestion, enhanced by positive reinforcement. If he pushed too hard... he wouldn't. He couldn't. Not again.

Mei sat back down on the sofa fully clothed. Nathan did a quick check around the office, ensuring there wasn't anything out of place. When he was satisfied he walked back to his side of the desk and sat.

"I'm going to count from five to one. With each number, you'll feel yourself rising back to full awareness. When I reach one, you'll open your eyes, feeling rested and peaceful. Five... four... beginning to rise... three... two... almost there... one."

Mei's eyes fluttered open.

For a moment, she simply sat there, blinking in the low light.

"How do you feel?" Nathan asked as she looked around the room slightly confused.

Mei stood slowly, like she wasn't sure if her legs would work. "Good... I feel... good."

"What do you remember?"

"I remember talking, about Ethan about..." she looked at her feet. "Oh God."

"It's okay, Mei. This is a safe place."

"About my mother and getting caught."

"You made really good progress today, Mei. You did beautifully."

Mei nodded like she was unsure if she believed him. "You won't... Ethan won't find out about what we talked about, right?"

"Of course not. Everything we discuss here is under strict doctor patient confidentiality."

She released a breath she'd been holding. "Okay."

Nathan rose from his chair and offered her a smile. "Same time next week?"

Mei nodded slowly, still looking dazed. "Okay. Yes. Same time."

He walked her to the door and watched her cross the lawn toward her house, where Ethan waited on the porch. She moved differently than when she'd arrived less guarded, somehow. Or perhaps just confused.

Nathan closed the door and returned to his office. The cameras had captured everything. He settled into his chair and loosened his tie, finally allowing himself to acknowledge the erection that hadn't faded.

Progress, he told himself. She's already making such great progress..

He sat at his computer and rewatched the session.

***

Ethan kept his voice low, he could feel the goosebumps on Mei's back, she was nervous. She hadn't moved from the porch in nearly a minute, despite telling Ethan she was walking next door for her session.

"Just give him a chance," he said softly. "One session. If you still think it's a bad idea after today, I won't ask you to go again."

Mei chewed her bottom lip. "Promise?"

"Promise." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "It means a lot to me that you're trying. I know it's hard."

She nodded, and finally stepped off the porch. Ethan watched her cross the lawn, her stride so small it took her as least twice as long to reach the front door. He hoped he wasn't coming across as pushy. He knew how hard it was for her to open up, but Dr. Coleman was the best in his field. He knew that if anyone could help Mei get through her issues it was him

She glanced back at him one last time as she reached the door. He gave her a thumbs up and what he hoped was an encouraging smile. Then, the door opened. Nathan appeared and Mei disappeared inside.

Ethan stood on the porch for another moment, unsure what to do with himself. He'd taken the day off because Mei had been so nervous this morning. He woke to her pacing the kitchen, barely touching her breakfast, asking twice if he thought this was really a good idea. He didn't want her to feel like he was hovering, but the thought of leaving her alone felt wrong. She'd always been like that with new people, he rationalized. Once she got comfortable with Dr. Coleman it wouldn't be a big deal.

He went inside and grabbed his laptop from the kitchen counter. Settled onto the couch. The screen woke, his browser still open from that morning.

GRACE HART RELEASED: Alleged Stalking Victim or Victim of Malpractice?

He'd meant to close his browser earlier, before Mei could see. Now, with an hour to kill and his wife next door with the man at the center of the controversy, he found himself reading.

The article was a standard recap. It talked about Grace's history with the Holy Isle cult, her marriage, her treatment with Dr. Coleman, the eventual breakdown and accusations. He skimmed past the parts he already knew, past the speculation and the quotes from "experts" who'd never met either of them. Then, even though he knew better than to get sucked into the rabbit hole, he found himself clicking the link at the bottom of the page that promised exclusive interviews and never before told stories.

He regretted the action as soon as he made it. The redirect took him to Reddit.

r/TrueCrime - The Grace Hart Case: What Really Happened?

He knew better than to trust Reddit for anything, but curiosity and a lack of anything productive to do won out.

The thread was a mess of theories and armchair psychology, but buried in the comments was a link to an interview he hadn't seen before. A local Florida news segment from two years ago, back when Grace was still in treatment and everything seemed to be working.

When he clicked play, he was greeted by a man whom he assumed was Grace's husband. He looked older than Grace, maybe late forties with thinning hair and glasses. The interviewer asked about the therapy, about the changes he'd seen.

"It's been incredible, honestly. I first met Grace at church, six months after the horrific stuff that happened on that island. Despite her being pretty reserved, we hit it off instantly. It was love at first sight and we married less than a year later despite her inability to be intimate. She'd started seeing Dr. Coleman during that time..." He shook his head, is disbelief. "The results were amazing. And now, she's like a whole different person. More confident. More... free. She initiates things now. She's adventurous in ways I never expected. Whatever he's doing, it's working."

Ethan paused the video, his heart beating a little faster. That was exactly what he wanted for Mei. Not the adventurous part necessarily, though he wouldn't complain, but the confidence. The freedom.

He scrolled further, scanning comments, clicking links. Most of it was garbage, conspiracy theories about Nathan actually being The Father, accusations that Grace had made everything up for attention, debates about whether hypnotherapy was even real. He ignored the noise, looking for more accounts from people who'd actually known them.

A Buzzfeed article caught his attention. "Grace Hart's Inner Circle Speaks Out."

The piece was mostly fluff, just old friends saying Grace had always been "intense," coworkers describing her as private. But near the bottom, a quote from someone identified only as "Grace's childhood best friend" made him pause.

"The therapy changed her, but not in a good way. She'd come back from sessions and couldn't remember anything. Like the whole hour was just... gone. A black void. She'd ask if she'd already gone to her appointment, what Dr. Coleman said about her. It scared me. I told her to stop going, but she said he was helping her. He had her complete brainwashed."

That was strange. He'd read Nathan's books, watched his TED talks. Hypnotherapy wasn't supposed to work like that. People remembered their sessions, even if the memories were fuzzy. Total amnesia was—

The front door opened and Ethan closed the laptop, not wanting Mei to see anything about the scandal. He stood as she walked in, anxious to see how it went.

"Hey." He crossed to her, hands finding her waist. "How'd it go?"

"Good." She leaned into him slightly, which was more than she usually did. "It was... good."

"Yeah? You feeling okay?"

"I think so." She pulled back to look at him, a small crease forming between her brows. "He made talking a little easier than I expected."

"Well that is what he gets paid for." Ethan smiled and pulled her close, his hands sliding down her back to the hem of her shirt.

"Why's the back of your shirt tucked in?" He tugged it free, fingers finding bare skin.

"Is it?" Mei pulled back and for a moment looked genuinely confused. "I must have done that when I went to sit. Didn't want it riding up."

"What kind of stuff did you guys talk about?" He felt her tense in his arms.

"Just... stuff. He asked a lot about you. How we, met, when I knew I wanted to marry you." She paused. "He... he hypnotized me. Said it would be easier for us to talk."

Ethan waited, hoping she'd continue. when she didn't he asked. "What was that like? Did you..." he thought about the article he just read. "Do you remember it happening?"

"Yeah, mostly."

"Mostly?"

"I remember," she said with a little more force. "It was like I was floating. Like I was there, but just listening to someone else having a conversation."

"What kind of stuff did he ask?"

"Just..." She pulled away, arms crossing over her chest. "Just stuff."

"Okay, I won't push. As long as you're feeling good about it. Does that mean you want to keep seeing him?"

"I am." She stepped away looking Ethan in the eyes. "I think you were right. It may really help."

"Good." Ethan ignored the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Want to grab lunch? I'm starving."

***

The bedroom was quiet as Ethan sat in his pajama pants, scrolling through his phone as Mei finished brushing her teeth. After Mei got home from her appointment with Dr. Coleman, it progressed like any other. They went out for lunch where she talked about all the chores she needed to do around the house, despite it already looking immaculate. She hid behind her menu as Ethan order for them, and then, later in the evening they had a quiet dinner at home.

All-in-all it was a good day, a normal day. Then, the bathroom door opened and Mei stood in the doorway, her cheeks pinker than normal, wearing nothing but one of his oversized t-shirts that hung just past her thigh.

"Hey," she said softly, as she walked toward the bed.

"Um... hi." He must have looked ridiculous, he was sure his mouth was hanging open as he tried to catalogue what was going on. It wasn't just that Mei was nearly naked, a rarity in itself, it was that she seemed so confident as she made her way to his side of the bed.

"Sorry, I um... I didn't realize you were coming out like... like that. I'll kill the light." He set his phone on the nightstand and reached for the light.

"It's okay." She swung a leg over his hips, her hands resting on his chest. "Leave it on."

"Are you sure? I know you don't like—"

"Thanks you," she said, cutting him off. "For pushing me to go today. I know I was being difficult."

"You weren't. You were nervous."

She smiled and pressed her lips to his. "You're sweet. You always take such good care of me." Her fingers ran through the soft patch of hair on his chest. "I should take better care of you."

Ethan's hands slid under the hem of her shirt, grabbing her hips. Her skin was warm and as his fingers pressed into the soft flesh of her back she let out the slightest moan, before letting her hands slide around his neck, her lips parting as her tongue pressed against his.

As her body pressed further onto his and the kiss deepened Ethan's manhood continued to grow pressing into the warmth between Mei's thighs. He glanced at the light next to bed, waiting for Mei to break the kiss and reach over to turn it off. But she never did. If anything, she seemed to press down on his hardness and he found himself wondering how far he could take this before she remembered the light.

His hands slid up her sides, slow enough that she could stop him if she wanted. When his thumbs brushed the bottom of her breasts she sucked in air and her hips rocked against him. His cock was fully hard now, he wasn't sure what had gotten into her, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Ethan pulled back just enough to look at her. Her eyes were half-lidded, her lips swollen from kissing, her cheeks flushed.

She chewed on her lip at sat up straight. Ethan expected her to lean over and turn off the light once and for all now that she wasn't so caught up in the moment. Instead, she grabbed the hem of her shirt and lifted it over her head.

She wasn't wearing a bra. Her breasts were bare, small and perfect, her dark nipples already tightening in the cool air. Her dark hair was spilled across her shoulders obstructing his view of her chest just enough to make it look even more erotic.

"Fuck, Mei. You're so beautiful."

She tucked her chin and turned her head bashfully. "You're making it weird, Ethan." she went to cover her chest with her hand but Ethan reached out, grabbing her wrist. When she turned her head to look at him, he pulled her back into a kiss. He felt her body start to relax, her hand falling back to Ethan's chest as she moaned into his mouth as her hips began to move.

Ethan moved with caution, it wasn't that he was unfamiliar with his wife's body, or even that they didn't have an active sex life, but she was never the aggressor. Whatever she and Nathan talked about today worked and he didn't want to spook her. His hands moved slowly to her breasts and she gasped against his mouth. Then, as his thumbs brushed her nipples she froze, her whole body going rigid.

For several awkward seconds they both sat there frozen in time. Then, Mei's shoulders dropped and she exhaled. Her mouth went to his neck kissing it gently. "I love you, Ethan."

He smiled, his thumbs circling her nipples as she gasped in his ear. She kissed his neck again, with more urgency than before as her fingers trailed down Ethan's body and wrapped around his shaft through his pajama bottoms.

This time it was Ethan that gasped, his whole body jerking.

Mei pulled back immediately, her eyes wide. "Sorry. Did I hurt you?"

"No." He laughed, a little breathless. "No, that was... you just caught me off guard."

"Oh." Her cheeks flushed darker. "Sorry. I just thought that—"

"Mei." He cupped her face, tilting it up until she met his eyes. "It was perfect. Just... unexpected."

Her face was bright red and she looked at Ethan's chest. She chewed on her lip then with a shaky hand slid her fingers into his pajama bottoms.

Her fingers wrapped around him and Ethan groaned again, his head falling back against the headboard. She stroked him slowly, like she was afraid of hurting him, then firmer as she heard the soft moans coming from him. Her mouth returned to his neck, her kisses trailing up to his ear, and he felt her smile when his hips bucked into her hand.

"That feels incredible," he breathed.

She hummed against his throat, her thumb sliding across the tip of his cock. He was fully hard now, straining against her palm, and every stroke sent heat pooling low in his stomach.

His hands traveled along her naked body, abandoning her chest as he grabbed the swell of her ass. Her underwear was soft, and didn't cover her entire bottom. He throbbed in her in hand. Was she wearing cheeky cut panties? His touch shifted, moving toward the soft skin of her inner thigh. When his fingers brushed between her legs, she inhaled sharply but didn't pull away. She was wet. Wetter than he expected. The thin fabric of her underwear was already damp against his fingertips.

"Mei..." He slipped his fingers beneath the fabric and to his surprise she pressed her hips into his palm. "You're so wet."

Her stroking stopped, her hand resting idly on his cock as she rolled her hips to his touch.

"I know." She kissed along his jaw, her hand still working him. "I want to."

"Off," she murmured, tugging at his waistband. "Take these off."

He lifted his hips and she helped him push his pajama bottoms down, kicking them somewhere toward the foot of the bed. Then her hands went to her own underwear, hesitating for just a moment before sliding them down her thighs.

She was naked on top of him. Completely bare. The soft glow of the light all but forgotten as she positioned herself on top of him, one hand braced against his chest. He could feel her heat hovering just above his cock, close enough to make him ache. Then, with one swift motion, she sank down onto him, taking him fully as they both moaned.

She took him slowly, inch by inch, her eyes fluttering closed as her body adjusted. Ethan gripped her hips, watching her face. The slight furrow between her brows. The way her lips parted. The soft exhale when she'd taken all of him.

"Ahhh—" Her hand flew to her mouth, like she couldn't believe it came from her. Slowly, she lowered it, placing it back on Ethan's chest before she started to move.

Ethan wanted to keep his eyes open, to watch his wife in the pale light of the room as she slowly worked him. But every time she drove her hips down, he found his eyes fluttering closed, the sensation of her heat sucking him deeper too much for him to bear.

Her pace was slow at first, like she was still figuring out the logistics. Ethan could count on one hand how many times they'd had sex any way other than missionary, and he resisted the urge to thrust into her and take over.

Her hips rolled and they both groaned. She did it again, more confident this time, and a quiet moan slipped past her lips.

"You feel so good," he said. "And you look so beautiful."

She opened her eyes.

That was the mistake.

His gaze was traveling over her body. Looking at her breasts, her stomach, the place where they were joined. He wasn't leering, wasn't doing anything wrong. He was just... looking. The way a husband looks at his wife, but it was too much for her. Her smile faltered and her rhythm stuttered before stopping completely.

"Can we..." She didn't finish. Instead, she lifted herself off him and lay back against the pillows, her arms crossing over her chest.

Ethan's heart sank, but he tried his best to not sound disappointed. "Hey. It's okay."

"I'm sorry." She wasn't looking at him. "I thought I could, but—"

"Mei." He shifted onto his side, his hand finding her cheek, turning her face toward him. "You have nothing to apologize for. That was... do you have any idea how amazing that was?"

"I ruined it."

"You didn't ruin anything." He kissed her forehead, her cheek, the corner of her mouth. "We can stop if you want."

"No." Her fingers pressed against his chest. "I don't want to stop. I just... can you be on top?"

"Of course." He shifted between her legs. "Do you want me to get the light?"

Mei chewed on her lip glancing at the light then back at her husband. "No. I'm... I'm okay." She reached down, grasping him gently, and smiled as his eyes fluttered shut. She guided him back inside her.

Her hands ran over his back, pulling him closer as they sighed into each other's mouth. His pace quickened, his fingers digging into Mei's thigh as her soft moans grew louder. He sat up, on his knees, the sight of her naked body accepting him made him push harder, driving deeper inside her.

"Oh—" her hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes went wide with embarrassment. Ethan smiled, slowing his pace grounding his body against her clit in a way that made her lift her hips.

"You feel incredible," he breathed against her neck.

Her nails dug into his shoulders in response as the smell of sex filled the air. Her teeth scrapped against his neck, another muffled moan that she tried to suppress. He could feel her tightening around him, her thighs trembling.

"Mei—" His voice was strained. "I'm close. I can't—"

She didn't answer with words. Instead, she clenched around him and the last thread of his control snapped.

"Ohhhh, fffffuck." He buried himself deep, his hips jerking as he came. She held him through it, her hands in his hair, her lips pressing against his temple.

When the aftershocks faded, he realized she hadn't finished. "Let me—" he started, his hand sliding between them.

"No." She caught his wrist. "I'm good." She gave a lazy smile and kissed his lips. "It was perfect." She struggled to catch her breath. "Right now I just want to lay here and fall asleep with you."

He rolled off her carefully, settling onto his back. She curled against his side, her head on his chest, and pulled the sheet up, but only to her waist. Her breasts rose and fell with each breath, bare in the lamplight. She made no move to cover them.

Her eyes were already closing, her lips curved in a small smile. She looked peaceful. More relaxed than he'd seen her in a long time.

Ethan lay there, replaying the last twenty minutes as he watched her drift off to sleep.

Holy shit.

It wasn't the night he'd imagined when she climbed on top of him. She'd retreated, pulled back to safer ground when the exposure became too much. But she'd tried. And even now, she wasn't hiding from him the way she usually did.

One session. One hour with Dr. Coleman.

He didn't know how long he lay there. Long enough for her breathing to deepen into sleep. Long enough for the sweat to cool on his skin. Long enough to replay every moment, the victories and the retreat, over and over in his mind.

His mind raced as he turned off the lamp and tried to fall asleep.

***

The Decision

## PATH ONE: GRATITUDE

"Whatever Nathan did, it's working. I need to thank him properly."

One session. Just one, and Mei had already shown more progress than he'd dared hope for. She'd initiated. She'd kept the lights on. She'd made sounds he'd never heard before. Suddenly, the video he wanted to make with her felt like a real possibility.

This was exactly what he'd wanted when he'd suggested therapy.

Tomorrow, he'd text Nathan. Invite him back to Murphy's. Buy him as many beers as the man could drink. Whatever he was doing with Mei. Ethan didn't need to know the details. He just needed it to continue.

His wife was finally becoming comfortable in her own skin.

---

## PATH TWO: UNCERTAINTY

"Tonight was incredible. But something about it doesn't quite add up."

The sex had been amazing. Better than amazing. The kind of sex he'd fantasized about since their honeymoon. But the speed of the change nagged at him. One session. One hour. And Mei had gone from missionary in complete darkness to nearly riding him with the lights on.

He thought about her vagueness when he'd asked what they talked about. The way she'd tensed when he pushed for details. The tucked-in shirt she couldn't explain.

She'd come back from sessions and couldn't remember anything. A black void.

He pushed the thought away. Mei said she remembered. That wasn't the same as how the friend explained Grace.

But something felt off. Some piece that didn't quite fit.

He'd give it one more session. See if the progress continued. And if things still felt strange after that, he'd press Mei for details.

For now, he'd let himself enjoy what had happened.

---

## PATH THREE: SUSPICION

"Tonight was everything I've ever wanted. So why can't I stop thinking about those articles?"

Ethan stared at the ceiling, his wife's bare chest rising and falling beside him.

The sex had been incredible. But lying here in the aftermath, all he could think about was Grace Hart's husband on that news clip.

She's like a whole different person.

Tonight, Mei had been like a different person. More confident, more eager, more free.

Wasn't that exactly what he'd wanted?

But the friend's words kept circling back: The therapy changed her, but not in a good way.

He looked at Mei sleeping peacefully beside him, more relaxed than he'd ever seen her. What had Nathan done in that office? What had they talked about that she couldn't, or wouldn't, share?

Tomorrow, he'd dig deeper. Find more articles, more interviews. Maybe track down the childhood friend who'd spoken to Buzzfeed.

Someone out there knew what Dr. Coleman's methods actually involved. And Ethan was going to find out.