Chapter 77
Hope Hospital’s psychiatric wing had been cleared long before Ares’ car arrived.
No waiting patients. No lingering noise. Only polished floors and controlled silence.
Jack was already outside the clinic, posture straight, expression neutral.
“Everything is arranged, Boss p>
Ares nodded once.
Lara stepped forward with Shay between them, each holding one of the child’s hands. To any outsider, they looked like a picture-perfect family—wealthy father, gentle mother, fragile daughter.
The illusion was flawless.
Lara paused when her gaze fell on the name etched into the frosted glass door.
Virgie Chavez, PhD Pediatric Psychologist.
An assistant opened the door immediately.
“Good morning, Princess,” the young woman greeted Shay brightly.
Shay gave a restrained nod. No sparkle. No childish chatter.
Lara felt that small reaction like a bruise on her heart.
They were ushered into the inner office.
The room was warm and elegant—soft beige walls, muted paintings, plush rugs, child-sized chairs shaped like animals.
But the environment couldn’t hide the fact that this was a place where broken memories were examined.
Two women stood inside.
The older one had silver hair pulled into a neat bun and intelligent, assessing eyes. Authority radiated from her.
Beside her stood a younger woman.
Striking.
Wine-red hair cascading over her shoulders. Skin pale and luminous. Sharp nose. Full lips. A dimple that appeared when she smiled.
And when she smiled—
It wasn’t professional. It wasn’t neutral. It was intimate and seductive.
Her green eyes lit up as if she had just found something she had lost years ago.
Lara followed the direction of that gaze.
It wasn’t for her. It was for Ares.
For a split second, he looked… stunned.
“Ares,” Dr. Chavez said smoothly. “It seems I don’t need to introduce my intern p>
Ares cleared his throat, but his eyes didn’t immediately leave the red-haired woman.
“No need,” he said evenly. “We go way back p>
The woman stepped forward.
Lara instinctively shifted aside.
“Long time no see, Ares,” she said softly.
There was history in her voice. And longing.
She extended her hand.
Ares hesitated—just barely—before taking it.
“Yes. It’s been a long time, Scarlet p>
Scarlet.
The name lingered in the air like perfume.
She crouched gracefully in front of Shay.
“And this must be your daughter?” she asked warmly. “Hi, Sweetie. I’m Scarlet. Your father and I were very close in high school p>
Very close.
Her fingers brushed Shay’s hair.
Shay stepped back immediately, clutching Lara’s hand tighter.
Scarlet’s smile didn’t falter—but something colder flickered in her eyes.
“You’re so pretty,” she cooed. “You got your looks from your daddy p>
“Come, let Aunt take you inside p>
Shay’s small fingers dug into Lara’s palm.
“No. I want Mommy p>
The word sliced cleanly through the room.
Scarlet’s smile faltered. Her gaze snapped toward Lara—sharp, measuring.
Before the tension could stretch further, Ares spoke.
“Don’t misunderstand. Larissa Reyes is her governess. Shay just likes to call her Mommy p>
Not someone important. Just a governess.
The clarification was quick. Almost defensive.
Lara kept her expression neutral. But something in her chest shifted.
Is she his past love? The thought came uninvited.
“Oh,” Scarlet replied sweetly. “I see p>
But the sweetness felt artificial now.
“Sweetie, only you and the doctor can go inside. Even Daddy can’t join p>
Shay looked torn but eventually nodded.
Before going in, she turned to Lara again.
“Mommy, wait for me p>
“I will,” Lara whispered.
Scarlet’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Ares and Lara were led into the observation room.
From behind the tinted glass, they could see and hear everything.
The session lasted an hour.
Lara watched Shay carefully. But she also watched Ares.
His expression was focused when Shay spoke.
But sometimes—just sometimes—his gaze drifted.
To Scarlet.
And when it did, he looked distant. As if revisiting another time.
That look didn’t escape Lara.
So she was someone important.
When Shay came out, Scarlet held her hand gently, almost possessively.
“Sweetie,” Scarlet said brightly, “how about lunch? I’d love to catch up with you and your daddy p>
Shay frowned slightly and reached for Lara.
“Mommy should come too p>
For a fraction of a second, Scarlet’s smile cracked.
“Of course,” she recovered smoothly. “As your governess, she should always be nearby p>
The word was coated in honey. But Lara could taste the poison beneath it.
Before she could respond, Ares spoke.
“Larissa has her own appointment. She’ll join later p>
His tone left no room for debate.
Lara lowered her gaze. So he didn’t want her there.
“Then I’ll go ahead,” she said softly, brushing Shay’s hair.
She turned and walked across the hallway toward another clinic.
The name on that door read:
Yannis Fenn, MD
Before she could knock, the door opened.
Yannis stepped out, white coat over a pale pink polo, electric blue eyes lighting up instantly.
“Larisa,” he said warmly. “You finally came p>
The familiarity in his tone was unmistakable.
Across the corridor, Ares stepped out of Dr. Chavez’s office just in time to see how close Yannis stood to her.
Too close.
Their eyes met for a split second.
Something dark flashed across Ares’ expression.
Then the door closed.
Yannis’ clinic was quieter. More intimate. Less corporate.
Warm lighting. Deep wood furniture. Landscape paintings on the walls.
He led Lara past the reception area into a private examination room furnished with a plush leather recliner that screamed money and influence.
He asked routine questions first.
Sleep patterns. Headaches. Dreams.
Then came the hypnosis.
“Relax,” he instructed gently.
A soft hum filled the room. Electrodes were attached to her temples, wrists, and collarbone.
Her breathing slowed.
A faint pressure built behind her eyes. Images flickered, memories, or maybe impressions.
Marble floors that were cold beneath her feet.
Whispers lowering when she entered.
A throne room heavy with incense.
A crown placed on her head—not ornamental, but a symbol of power and responsibility.
She saw flashes—robes trailing behind her. Men kneeling. Generals bowing. Advisors smiling some with deceit.
Judges delivering verdicts at her nod. She didn’t recognize their faces.
But she understood their intentions instinctively.
Because she had lived it. Her fingers twitched.
Yannis stared at the monitor.
Brainwave spikes. Unusual neural patterns. Recognition responses without trauma markers.
Fascinating. His gaze drifted to her face.
For a moment, he was not a doctor.
He was a man. Entranced.
He reached out unconsciously, fingers hovering near her cheek—
Then he froze.
No.
He exhaled sharply and straightened, professionalism snapping back into place.
When the session ended, Lara’s eyes opened slowly.
Hazel eyes that were clear, steady, and grounded locked with blue ones.
Bright as day… more than they had ever been since she woke up from her coma.
“I understand now,” she murmured.
Yannis leaned forward.
“Understand what p>
She looked at her hands.
At this body. At this life.
’I was reborn, ’ she said quietly.
Into Larissa Reyes.