My Cheating Mate (Emma and Jeremy) novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

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Don’t think too long. Because Em, if you’re going to try to rebuild with him, you need tools. You need healthy coping mechanisms and communication strategies and ways to process your anger that don’t involve pushing it down until it explodes. Aria’s expression softened. “I love you. I want you to be happy. But I also want you to be healthy. And right now, you’re neither.

eremy stirred, his hand tightening around mine. His eyes opened slowly, unfocused and glassy from the medication.

Emma?” His voice was rough, barely audible.

I’m here,” I said, leaning closer. “How do you feel?”

Like I got hit by a truck.” He tried to smile but it came out as more of a grimace. “Again.”

That’s what happens when you reopen surgical wounds by being stubborn,” I said, trying to keep my tone light even though i wanted to yell at him for scaring me.

Worth it.” His eyes found mine, clearer now despite the drugs. “Had to finish. Had to tell them everything ”

You did. You told them. Now you need to focus on healing. Actually healing this time, not pushing yourself until you collapse.”

Okay.” He was already drifting again, the medication pulling him back under. “Stay?”

It was a question, not a demand. He was giving me the choice, even drugged and barely conscious.

‘I’ll stay,” I promised.

A small smile crossed his face before sleep claimed him again.

Aria watched this exchange with a knowing expression. “You’re allin, aren’t you? Even if you’re not ready to admit it.”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “But Aria, you’re right about therapy. We can’t do this alone. I can’t carry all this hurt and anger by myself, and Jeremy can’t carry all his guilt. We need help.”

“Good.” She stood, gathering her things. “I’ll text you some names. Dr. Sarah Chen specializes in mate bond trauma. She’s expensive but supposedly excellent.”

“Mate bond trauma is a specialty?”

“Em, you’re not the first wolf whose mate betrayed her. You’re just the first one brave enough to try to work through it instead of accepting a rejection and moving on.” Aria kissed my forehead. “Get some rest. Even if it’s just in that chair. You’re no good to anyone if you collapse from exhaustion.”

head.

After she left, I settled back into my chair, Jeremy’s hand still in mine. Mate bond trauma. The phrase rattled around in my That’s what this was. Trauma. Not just hurt feelings or a relationship rough patch. Actual, clinical trauma that would require professional help to heal from.

And Jeremy had his own trauma to deal with-the guilt, the self-destructive behavior, the need to punish himself by pushing his body past its limits.

We were both broken. Both damaged by what had happened.

But maybe broken things could be repaired. Maybe with the right tools, the right support, the right commitment, we could build something new from the pieces.

pulled out my phone and sent Aria a text: “Send me Dr. Chen’s contact info. For both of us.”

response was immediate: “Already done. Proud of you, Em.”

sure proud was the right word. Terrified seemed more accurate. Hopeful but cautious. Committed but uncertain.

Chapter

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But I was frying: That had to count for something.

Jeremy shifted in his sleep, uronsciously moving closer to me even while unconscious. His wolf seeking his mate, even dissolved bond or not.

And my wolf responded, settling contentedly for the first time in months.

Maybe Aria was right. Maybe I was all in.

The question was whether all in would be enough.

Whether love and therapy and commitment could overcome betrayal and trauma and broken trust.

I didn’t have the answer yet.

But I was willing to try to find it.

And that, for now, was the bravest thing I could do.

I closed my eyes, exhaustion finally winning, my hand still holding Jeremy’s.

Tomorrow we’d talk about therapy. About healing. About what came next.

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