Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234

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“So tell me about this Dr. Sloane,” I said to Lyn, hoping to fill the silence with adult conversation. “Lynn mentioned she specializes in

childhood trauma cases?”

“She’s supposed to be one of the best in the region,” Lyn confirmed, driving through the morning traffic with ease. “She has worked with abused supernatural children before, so she understands some of the unique challenges they face, and some of the truths that they don’t want to accept. Lynn thought she’d be perfect for Riley’s specific situation.”

I nodded, feeling both hopeful and anxious about the upcoming appointment. Part of me was desperate for professional help in understanding how to support Riley, but another part of me was terrified about what the therapist might uncover about the extent of his

trauma.

From the backseat, Ollie’s voice cut through my thoughts. “I still don’t understand why I have to be here. I’m not the one who needs

therapy.”

“Everyone could benefit from therapy,” I said automatically, using the response I’d rehearsed. “Dr. Sloane wants to understand our

whole family so she can help Riley better.”

“I don’t need help,” Riley said quietly, his voice muffled because he was speaking toward the window. “I’m fine.”

“Sure you are,” Ollie shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm that was far too sophisticated for a five-year-old. “You know what I think, that bump on your head from our school accident, when we fell off the stairs is still hurting you, because you’re still fixated on

Sophia.”

The silence that followed Ollie’s words was deafening. I saw Lyn’s hands tighten on the steering wheel, and I felt my own chest

constrict with a mixture of heartbreak and frustration.

“Ollie,” I said firmly, turning in my seat to look directly at him. “That’s enough. We don’t talk to family members that way.”

“But it’s true!” Ollie insisted, his green eyes bright with tears of frustration. “Riley keeps acting like she was good to him when she

wasn’t! She hurt him, and he won’t even admit it!”

‘I don’t want to talk about it,” Riley said, his voice so quiet I could barely hear him. “Please can we just not talk about it anymore?”

The pain in Riley’s voice broke my heart. I could see him withdrawing further into himself, building walls that would make it even harder for the therapist to reach him. But I also understood Ollie’s frustration – it had to be confusing for a five-year-old to watch his

brother defend someone who had clearly hurt him.

“Boys, we’re not going to fight about this in the car,” I said, using my firm mom voice that usually ended arguments. “Both of you have feelings that are valid, but we’re going to discuss them appropriately with Dr. Sloane, not by hurting each other.”

The rest of the drive passed in tense silence, broken only by the sound of Riley’s fingers tapping against his tablet screen and Ollie’s aggressive rustling of the snack bag I’d packed for him. I found myself dreading the therapy appointment more with each passing mile,

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Chapter 234

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wondering if Dr. Martinez would be able to break through Riley’s defensive walls when none of us had been successful.

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As we pulled into the hospital parking lot, I caught sight of Riley’s reflection in the window. He looked so small and lost, still

clutching his tablet like it was the only thing keeping him anchored to the world. How was I supposed to explain to a traumatized five-

year-old that the woman he was desperately missing was never coming back? How could I tell him that Sophia was dead when he was still

clinging to the hope of her return?

The questions felt impossible, and I was running out of time to find answers before they destroyed what little progress we’d made in

helping Riley feel safe and loved with his real family.

“We’re here,” Lyn announced unnecessarily, parking in a spot near the hospital’s main entrance.

I took a deep breath, gathered my courage, and prepared to face whatever revelations the therapy session might bring. For Riley’s

sake, I had to be strong enough to handle the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

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Reborn From Regret A Second Chance at Luna’s Heart