Unmatched Wife: Not His To Claim Anymore novel Chapter 54

Chapter 54

MATTHEW

Dr. Vance’s voice on the phone had been carefully controlled, that meant that something significant had happened.

“Alpha Morrison, I need you to come in today. Theo had a breakthrough in our session this morning, and we need to discuss it immediately.”

A breakthrough. The word should have filled me with hope, but something in her tone made my stomach clench with dread instead.

I’d left Mia at the house, she’d been acting strangely all morning, jumpy and distracted, constantly checking her phone and I hadn’t thought twice about asking her what was going on–and driven to Dr. Vance’s office with my heart in my throat.

Now I sat in her consultation room while she reviewed her notes, her expression grave.

“Theo spoke today,” she finally said, looking up at me. “Full sentences. The first real communication we’ve had since your wife’s death.”

Relief flooded through me so powerfully I felt lightheaded. “That’s good. That’s progress, right?”

“Yes and no.” Dr. Vance set down her notes and leaned forward, her hands clasped on her desk. “Alpha Morrison, what he said… I need you to hear this, but I need you to stay calm. Can you do that for me?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

She pulled out a recording device–something she’d told me she used with permission for cases like Theo’s, where documentation was crucial for treatment planning.

“I’m going to play this for you,” she said. “But first, I want you to remember that children Theo’s age process trauma differently than adults. What he’s expressing is what he thinks is his reality, not the real truth. Do you understand?”

“Just play it.”

Dr. Vance pressed play, and Theo’s small voice filled the room.

“I told Mama I hated her,” he said, and I heard the tears in his voice even through the recording. “I said she was evil and I wanted a new mommy. I said it lots of times. And then she went away forever and she’s never coming back.”

A pause, filled with the sound of his crying.

“It’s my fault,” he continued, his voice so small I had to strain to hear it. “I made her go away. I was bad and mean and I said terrible things, and now she’s dead and it’s because of me. Because I didn’t love her enough. Because I wanted Aunty Mia instead.

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Another pause.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry, Mama. Please come back. I didn’t mean it. I love you. Please.”

Dr. Vance turned off the recording, and I realized I was crying as well, silent dreams rolling down mt cheeks as I looked at nothing in particular.

“He thinks he killed her,” I managed. “He thinks his words… God, he thinks it’s his fault.”

“Yes.” Dr. Vance’s voice was gentle but firm. “And until we help him reframe that narrative, until he can internalize that he’s not responsible for his mother’s death, he’s going to carry that guilt like a weight around his neck,‘

“What do I do?” The question came out broken. “How do I help him?”

Chapter 54

“The usual approach would be continued therapy, gradually helping him process the trauma through play therapy and cognitive behavioral techniques.” She paused.

“But Alpha Morrison, I don’t think normal therapy is going to be enough for Theo. His guilt is too deeply rooted, too intertwined with his sense of self. He’s four years old and he believes he’s a murderer.”

The word hit me like a physical blow. “Don’t-”

“That’s how he sees himself,” Dr. Vance interrupted. “And we need to take that seriously. Which is why I’m recommending a more aggressive approach, something that is not commonly done.”

She pulled out a folder and slid it across the desk to me.

“Dr. Sloane Fisher practices in BloodMoon City. She’s a specialist in childhood trauma, particularly cases involving magical guilt -situations where children believe their thoughts or wishes have directly caused harm to others.”

I opened the folder and found myself looking at credentials that were impressive and almost looking intimidating.

Whoever this doctor, was there were multiple degrees, publications in prestigious journals, testimonials from grateful parents whose children had been helped.

“Dr. Fisher has pioneered a technique called Guided Memory Reprocessing,” Dr. Vance continued. “It’s unique because it involves a combination of normal therapy and magical intervention. The technique doesn’t erase memories–that would be unethical but it helps children reframe those memories, reducing the emotional weight so they can function without being crushed by guilt they shouldn’t be carrying.”

“Magic?” I looked up sharply. “You want to use magic on my son’s mind?”

“I want to give him a chance at a normal childhood,” Dr. Vance corrected. “Alpha Morrison, without intervention, Theo’s guilt could develop into severe depression, anxiety, or worse. The technique Dr. Fisher uses is regulated, monitored, and has an excellent success rate. But it requires intensive sessions over several weeks, which means you’d need to relocate to BloodMoon City temporarily.”

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