Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 235

Chapter 235

LUMINA

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Dr. Sloane’s office was exactly what I’d expected from a child therapist, it was warm, welcoming, not just that, it also had soft lighting and colorful artwork covering the walls, making it look less than a interrogation room and more of a child’s playpen. Comfortable

chairs were arranged in a circle, and there was a play area in one corner filled with toys and books. Despite the inviting atmosphere, I

could feel the tension radiating from both boys as we settled into our seats.

“Thank you all for coming today,” Dr. Sloane said, her voice gentle and professional as she looked at each of us in turn. She was a

middle-aged woman with warm blue eyes and her hair pulled back in a neat bun to display a professional at work.

“I thought we’d start with a general conversation so I can understand your family relationships better.”

Riley immediately positioned himself in the chair closest to the large windows that overlooked the hospital’s courtyard, his attention

was not fixated on a particular thing, his eyes kept moving, from the glass panes to the ceiling and the sliding door that led to the

balcony.

I noticed him silently noting what seemed to be like escape routes in his head-doors, windows, this was one of his behaviours that

made my heart hurt with the reminder of how unsafe he still felt.

“Riley,” Dr. Sloane said softly, “can you tell me a little about yourself? What do you like to do?”

Riley glanced briefly at th etherapist, not even interested in her before returning to the window. “I like to read,” he said quietly, his

voice barely audible.

“What kind of books do you enjoy?”

This time Riley didn’t answer at all, his attention apparently captured by something happening in the courtyard below. I could see his fingers tapping against his leg in what I was beginning to recognize as an anxiety response.

“That’s okay,” Dr. Sloane said easily, not pushing him for more. She turned to Ollie instead. “What about you, Ollie? What are some of

your favorite activities?”

“I like building things,” Ollie said immediately, his voice clear and confident in contrast to Riley’s whispered responses. “And I like playing soccer with my dad. And I like reading too, but different books than Riley. He likes boring grown-up books.”

“What makes them boring to you?” Dr. Sloane asked with genuine curiosity.

Ollie shrugged. “They don’t have pictures, and they’re about things that don’t make sense. Like why would someone want to read

about how to be perfect all the time? That’s not fun.”

I felt my chest tighten at Ollie’s innocent observation. The books Riley preferred were likely the training manuals and behavioral guides that Sophia had used to condition him. To Ollie, they seemed boring, but to Riley, they represented safety and familiarity of his life

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Chapter 235

before he was rescued by us.

‘Riley, do you want to tell me about these books you enjoy?” Dr. Sloane asked, trying again to engage him.

ล

Riley’s attention snapped back from the window, and I could see him considering his answer carefully. “They help me understand

things,” he said finally. “How to be good.”

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“What does being good mean to you?”

Another long pause. Riley’s eyes drifted toward the balcony door, and I watched him note the lock mechanism and the height from

the ground. “Following the rules,” he said eventually. “Not causing problems.”

Dr. Sloane nodded thoughtfully and turned to me, as she flashed me a brief smile before talking. “Lumina, how would you describe the

boys’ relationship with each other?”

I glanced between my sons, choosing my words carefully, trying to tell the truth but in a way that wouldn’t hurt anyone.

“They’re still adjusting to being together. Riley came to live with us recently, Ollie had been used to living as an only child, so now he

is aware that he doesn’t have our full attention anymore and it’s been a big change for everyone.”

“How do you feel about having a brother, Ollie?”

“I always wanted a brother, even when Grandma asked me how I felt about having one” Ollie said immediately. “But I thought he’d want to play with me and do fun things with me. It’s not really fun to play by yourself in a huge house especially when my mama and papa are super busy with the city and taking care of it So Riley was a happy surprise for me and I felt not lonely anymore.. Instead, he just sits by himself and talks about Sophia all the time, and everyone gets upset when he does.”

“Why do you think people get upset when Riley talks about Sophia?”

Ollie’s expression grew serious, and I could see him struggling to find words for complex emotions, that he wasn’t sure enough to

explain properly.

back.

“Because she was mean to him, but he doesn’t remember it right. She made him sick and hurt him, but he still wants her to come

“That’s not true,” Riley said quietly, but with more force than he’d shown all morning. It was the first time he’d engaged directly with anything anyone had said. “She took care of me. She taught me things.”

“She hurt you,” Ollie insisted, turning in his chair to face his brother directly. “You had marks on you when you came home, and you

were so skinny, and you couldn’t even eat normal food!”

“She was helping me be better,” Riley said, his voice getting defensive. ‘Just because you don’t understand doesn’t mean it was

wrong.

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Chapter 235

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I could see Dr. Sloane making mental notes as she observed the exchange. This was exactly the situation that had been playing out at

home – Riley’s fierce defense of Sophia clashing with Ollie’s frustrated attempts to make him see reality and stop living in a fantasy world,

where Sophia was a ain’t.

“Riley,” Dr. Sloane said gently, “it sounds like Sophia was very important to you.”

Riley nodded, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. “She was my mama. She’s the only one who ever wanted me.”

“What makes you think she was the only one who wanted you?”

Riley looked confused by the question, his eyes darting between me and Dr. Sloane. “Because… because I was a bad baby. That’s why

my real mama didn’t keep me.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. “Oh, sweetheart,” I said, leaning forward in my chair, “that’s not true at all. I wanted you so

much. If I had known that you were out there, I would have looked for you every single day.”

Riley’s expression remained skeptical, and I could see years of Sophia’s lies and manipulation written in his green eyes. How could I

compete with someone who had spent five years convincing him that he was unwanted and worthless?

“Riley,” Dr. Sloane continued, “you mentioned that Sophia taught you things. Can you tell me about some of those lessons?”

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Reborn From Regret A Second Chance at Luna’s Heart