Screw My Childhood Sweetheart His Alpha Brother Marked Me First novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

“Apologies for the noise. This wing is for our more severe cases,” Max explained.

“And Abigail needed to be here?” I asked.

Max’s mouth pressed into a firm line. “She attacked two orderlies on her first day here. It’s standard procedure to keep someone in maximum security for two weeks after a violent incident. But she’s doing much better and has been given additional privileges like this visit.”

Caspian dropped my hand, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “And you’re sure she’s stable enough for that?”

Max came to a stop outside another door. A woman who looked to be in her fifties opened it and stepped out. She gave me a kind smile. “I’m Dr. Barton.” She turned that smile to Caspian. “I wouldn’t have invited Senna here if I didn’t believe Abigail was in a stable place.”

Caspian nodded but didn’t look convinced.

“How is she?” I asked.

There was a hint of sadness in Dr. Barton’s expression. “I’ll be honest. She’s been through a series of traumas. She hasn’t opened up to tell me what those are, but her mind is fractured. She has moments of Riveridity and moments where she is agitated or confused. I’m hoping that seeing you will help us put some of the pieces together.”

My hand fisted in Caspian’s T–shirt. “Is there anything I should or shouldn’t do?”

‘Don’t argue with her. You can gently correct if she’s saying something untrue, but don’t become combative. Keeping an even keel will be helpful.”

It was like dealing with a child, I realized. Those calm corrections over and over. “I’ll do my best.”

‘All right.” Dr. Barton opened the door and ushered us inside, leaving Max in the hallway. “Abigail. You have some visitors. Senna ind…”

‘Caspian,” he supplied.

Senna and Caspian are here to see you.”

The room was a sunporch of sorts, with lots of windows and a world of plants around the edge of the space. Abigail sat on a wicker couch, a blanket tucked around her. She blinked a few times as if trying to bring me into focus. “Senna…”

Hi.” It was all I could think to say. I wasn’t ready to call her Mom, and Abigail or Abbie seemed odd too.

Dr. Barton motioned to an empty couch catty–corner to Abigail. Caspian and I lowered ourselves to the cushions, while Dr. Barton

ook a seat in a chair.

‘How are you?” As soon as I asked the question, I felt like an idiot.

Caspian’s hand moved to my thigh, his thumb sweeping back and forth in soothing strokes.

There was chocolate cake with lunch,” Abigail offered.

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Corow Machithand…

Chapter 121

I did my best to force a smile. “That’s one of my favorites.”

Dr. Barton nodded encouragingly.

‘What other desserts do you like?”

Pudding.” Her mouth curved. “When I was pregnant with you, I couldn’t get enough pudding. Chocolate vanilla swirl was my Favorite.”

Abigail’s eyes traced over my face. “You’re not supposed to be here. I hid you.”

My fingers dug into the couch cushion. “I know. Why?”

If there was even a chance at getting a real answer from her, I had to try.

Abigail began fidgeting with her blanket, her fingers moving in jerky motions. “He would’ve taken you. He would’ve used you. Bled you dry of everything you had.”

‘My father?” It was the only assumption that made any sort of sense.

She bobbed her head up and down.

‘Who is he?”

Abigail’s eyes went wide. “No. No. No. You can’t say his name. He has ears everywhere. He’ll come for you. He’ll come for me. Can’t

say his name.”

I held up my hands. “All right. We won’t say his name.”

Her shoulders relaxed a fraction.

‘Did he hurt you?” I asked softly.

She swallowed, her throat working with the motion. “I thought I loved him. I knew he wasn’t my mate, but he made me feel so special. He told me that sharing our power would make us closer.” Her face hardened. “He didn’t share. He only took. He took and

ook until he almost killed me.”

A tear slid down her cheek. “I knew I’d never be free unless I ran.” She looked up and into my eyes. “You gave me the courage to run.

knew I had to hide you.”

Where did you go?”

‘I kept moving. Never stayed anywhere longer than a few weeks. I waitressed until I was too pregnant to carry a tray. I thought at irst I could keep you. That we would just hide together.” Abigail began to tremble. “But one of his men found us. I barely got away. I knew there was only one choice.”

A burn lit along my throat. “So you put me up for adoption.”

The lawyer said it was a good family. He promised.”

The Blakes had been a good family. The best. Until it had all gone so horribly wrong.

“They were good to me.” I moved my hand to Caspian’s, weaving our fingers together. “But it wasn’t my place. I’m finding that now,

Chapter 121

with my bond.”

Abigail shook her head frantically. “You can’t. Your mates will only make you stronger. He’ll want you that much more.” She leaned forward, clutching my arm, her fingernails digging into the skin there. “You have to run. Ifide. You have to be alone. It’s your only

hope.”

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