Ashley closed her eyes, focusing on regulating her breathing until the sting of tears faded away.
When she opened them again, her gaze was clear and determined.
She knew what she had to do. She had to undergo psychological therapy at the hospital to confront her aversion to Gabriel, specifically, her fear of his touch.
Otherwise, she would never be able to move forward.
The next morning, Ashley headed to the hospital.
Her posture, stiff and straight, mirrored the tension within her.
Taking a deep breath, she approached the doctor.
"Dr. Tyler," she called out, interrupting him as he started to write a prescription. "I'm not here for medication. I need to start therapy," she stated firmly.
Tyler looked up, surprised. "Had a change of heart?" he asked. Ashley nodded.
For Chris' sake,
