My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 454

Chapter 454

“You just described an emotional communication problem.”

“No. I described a transmission error.”

For some reason, that made him smile. I didn’t appreciate it.

The therapist set his notebook down on his lap,.”Raphael, I’m going to tell you something and I need you to resist the urge to argue with me for at least ten seconds.”

I immediately frowned, “That’s an unreasonable request.’

“Try anyway.”

I considered leaving. Unfortunately, curiosity won.

The therapist folded his hands, “Everything you’ve described today points to a pattern. You’re extremely good at identifying what you think.”

“Obviously.”

“You’re extremely good at identifying what other people might do.”

“Also obvious.”

“But every time this woman becomes involved, something changes.”

I leaned back against the couch, “That’s the problem.”

“No,” he said calmly, “That’s the clue. You describe conversations, events and risks, even her looks with remarkable detail. But when I ask what was happening inside your head during those moments, you either change the subject, start pacing, make a joke or begin explaining something completely unrelated.”

I opened my mouth.

He pointed his pen at me, “That wasn’t an invitation to demonstrate.”

I closed my mouth again.

“I’m not diagnosing anything today,” he continued. “That would be irresponsible but I am telling you that one appointment isn’t enough.”

I sighed, “That’s unfortunate.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t enjoy this.”

His expression remained neutral, “Most people don’t enjoy discovering blind spots.”

I frowned, “I don’t have blind spots.”

“Everyone has blind spots,” he added confidently, “If you want help understanding these lapses, I need more information. I need to observe patterns over time. I need context. One conversation isn’t enough.”

“How many?”

His eyebrow lifted, “How many what?”

“Sessions.”

“We’ll see.”

“I dislike vague answers.”

“And I dislike patients who try to turn therapy into a business transaction.”

I considered informing him that all transactions were business transactions before I could, my watch vibrated)

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