“No one is angry with you,” she assures me.
“London is,” I point out.
“And that upsets you?” She tilts her head to the side, a curious expression on her face.
“It does. I mean, I love him, and to think he’s upset with me, well, it upsets me, too.”
“Before we continue,” Ariel adds, “I have to say that this isn’t a normal practice for therapy. Most therapists won’t have so many people present. This is Snow’s show. I think she just feels better with me asking the questions.”
I incline my head in agreement. “Yes.”
Ariel sits forward, resting her elbows on the table, clasping her hands. “You love London?” she asks, but it’s more of a statement rather than a question.
“Yes, I do,” I reiterate. “I thought I loved Dayton, but if I had, I wouldn’t have treated him the way I did, and he wouldn’t be where he’s supposed to be—with Timber.”
“And Shane?”
I direct my answer to Ever instead of Ariel. “I love him. I know you have trepidations, Ever. But I am not Ivy, and I might be young, but I’m not going to leave him. He’s been there through every nightmare and doubt. He’s helped me heal. He could have turned me away, but he didn’t. I owe him everything, and I will show him every day that I love him and thank him every night for giving me this chance at love—true love.”
Ever wipes a tear from her eye and nods.
“What happened yesterday?” Ariel asks.
“He asked me about something that happened in my past. I told him the truth, then he called me a liar. I didn’t lie, though. I never have. If he or anyone would have asked, I would tell them, but it’s not something to be remembered.”
“And what is that?” she continues.
“I’m not as innocent as people think. I was having sex as soon as I became of age. Group sex. My dad would hand me to his friends to use as they wanted. He told me he would ruin me if I said anything. I should have said something, but I was scared. Even when I was with Dayton. I should have told him, but I didn’t because I didn’t want to hurt him. And then Ben happened. He joined in since he and my dad are best buds. I’m sorry that I didn’t say anything. And I’m sorry I dropped off the face of the planet, but Ben controlled every aspect of my life. Who I could talk to, what I could wear or say? It was hell. The night I ended up here, I thought I was going to die.”
I take a deep breath and hang my head. That was a lot.
“I think you’re a survivor,” Skye says.
“You did what you had to do,” Dayton agrees. “I don’t hate you for it.”
“No matter what, you will always be family,” Silas assures me.
And then I start to cry.
“You broke her,” Axel tells his brother.
I shake my head.
“I think they’re happy tears,” Ariel says to everyone. “She was worried how you would look at her.”
I can only nod in response.
“You won’t be a victim anymore,” Memphis states in a matter-of-fact tone.
“We can teach you some defense moves if it’ll make you feel better,” Brick adds.
“Thank you so much.” I hiccup my reply. I’ve never felt this kind of love before. It’s overwhelming and everything all at the same time.
Shane kisses my head. “No thanks needed.”
“Eat,” I urge.
“Here.” Afton hands me a plate.