Chapter 37
Chapter 37:
Early the next day, Helena and Alden arrived at the private hospital where Valeria worked, walking side by side.
A row of glossy doctor profiles lined the wall outside the psychology wing, and Alden scanned them with a discerning eye.
“So, this Valeria—she’s your friend?” he asked.
Helena offered a small smile. “She is. So you can relax. Valeria would never betray a confidence p>
It caught her off guard that Alden had insisted on coming along.
Right then, a woman in a crisp white coat emerged from her office, and the moment her eyes landed on the man beside Helena, her posture stiffened.
Before the tension thickened, Alden stepped forward. “I’m Alden Wilson. Helena’s husband p>
Without changing her expression, Valeria smoothly angled herself so Helena was now behind her shoulder.
“This session is private, Mr. Wilson. I’ll have to ask you to wait outside p>
Even though her tone brimmed with resistance, Alden didn’t bristle. He gave a courteous nod and made his way toward the waiting area, settling into a corner seat.
Helena felt the tension crawl up her spine. “I thought I already explained what’s going on with Alden and me p>
Valeria didn’t bother responding. She looped her arm around Helena and led her firmly into the office, shutting the door with finality.
A faint smirk played at Alden’s lips as he watched the scene unfold. Dorian’s warning echoed in his mind—Valeria was the woman he had talked about. But Alden wasn’t bothered. Whatever attitude she gave him wasn’t personal. She was just guarding someone she cared about.
In some odd way, her loyalty brought Alden a strange sense of relief.
Meanwhile, inside the softly lit consultation room, Helena couldn’t shake the feeling that Valeria was looking at her strangely, making her a little uneasy.
Without a word, Valeria gestured for her to take a seat on the plush sofa.
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⧽ⱼ𝗰𝗈𝗺
“Would it be alright if we spoke as friends for a bit before the session begins p>
Cradling a warm cup of water, Helena gave a sincere nod. “Sure, go ahead p>
Valeria’s tone was deadly serious. “Did you sleep with Alden p>
Helena’s eyes widened, and she almost choked on her water. Where in the world did that question come from?
Helena didn’t hesitate. She gave a quick, firm shake of her head. The reaction made Valeria exhale, though the crease on her forehead returned just as fast.
“That means there’s been no progress with your intimacy issues, has there p>
There was a pause before Helena answered, “It’s… not true p>
She began explaining how things had shifted—how being near Alden no longer triggered her usual panic. Instead of pulling away, she had started getting used to him. Small touches didn’t feel strange anymore. Sometimes, she even reached for him first.
Valeria blinked, absorbing the unexpected wave of sentiment. “That explains why someone mentioned how happy you and Alden are p>
That comment made Helena perk up. “Who told you that p>
A familiar face flashed in Valeria’s mind. Dorian, wearing that smug grin like he always knew more than he let on. He had contacted her using the number she had given him. But when she tried to bring up Alden, he changed the subject or acted like he hadn’t seen the name.
Valeria brushed the thought aside. “Forget it. Let’s get down to business. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten today’s main agenda p>
Drawing in a steadying breath, Helena shook her head with quiet determination. “I remember. Let’s begin the hypnosis p>
During past sessions, Valeria had linked Helena’s fear of intimacy to fragments from a part of her past that she had forgotten since twenty years ago. Every few weeks, Helena returned for hypnosis, hoping to uncover what her memory had buried.
She stretched out on the sofa, sinking into the cushions as the soft hum of music filled the room.
“Picture yourself stepping into a grand hall of memories. There are doors everywhere, each one leading to something you’ve forgotten p>
Breath by breath, Helena relaxed, her body going still as the trance took hold.
Valeria continued softly, “Now you’re standing before the door that holds your memories from when you were twelve. Take your time, then open it p>
Helena’s brow furrowed, and she looked pained.
“Can you see anything?” Valeria asked, keeping her tone even.
Helena opened the door, thinking she’d step into her childhood home, maybe even catch sight of her parents. Instead, a strange building stood in front of her—one she didn’t recognize at all.
Out of nowhere, a towering figure emerged from the shadows, its grip snatching at her ankle, yanking at her dress with violent force.
A sharp snap of Valeria’s fingers sliced through the air, dragging Helena out of the trance.
“Are you okay p>
Covered in sweat and breathing hard, Helena struggled to sit up. “Yeah. Same as before. That ruined house. That dark figure. Nothing new p>
A gentle hand landed on her shoulder as Valeria gave her a comforting pat. “Did you realize you said Alden’s name p>
That caught Helena completely off guard.
With a slow nod, Valeria confirmed it. “You called out for him right before you came out of it. I thought maybe those memories involve him somehow p>
Helena shook her head immediately. It didn’t make sense—Alden had been abroad back then. There was no way their paths had crossed when they were kids.
“But think about this,” Valeria said, her voice thoughtful now. “Maybe it’s not about the past. Maybe he’s the person your mind clings to because he makes you feel safe. When you panic, you reach for him p>
A warm flush rose to Helena’s cheeks. “Valeria, don’t be ridiculous p>
With a casual shrug, Valeria said, “Hey, it’s my professional opinion. If he doesn’t make you panic, then maybe he’s the right one to help you work through this. Get closer to him. Really close, if you’re willing. But Helena… protect your heart while you’re at it p>
Valeria’s voice shifted to something firmer.
Helena understood what Valeria was worried about. Their marriage wasn’t built on love. It was a business arrangement, signed and sealed with a deadline. Letting her feelings tangle into that would only end one way—with her on the losing end.
Her voice turned quiet, almost bitter. “I won’t fall for Alden. Never p>
At that exact moment, just outside the door, Alden reached up to knock. His hand froze mid-air, and for once, his usual calm shattered.