Page 66 of I See You

She let it go to voicemail but made a mental note to call her back later—when she could mask her emotions better.

Finally, she forced herself to move, stepping out of the car and making her way into the clinic. Her usual warm energy was absentas she walked through the doors, her smile forced, her nods barely there as she greeted her boss and the other therapists. She wasn’t in the mood for cheerful greetings or small talk. She just needed to get to her office, close the door, and be alone.

"Boss—" Micah’s voice cut through her thoughts, hesitant, like she had something urgent to say.

"Not now, Micah. Whatever it is, tell me later. Just give me thirty minutes." Sevyn waved her off, her tone firm but exhausted.

"But, Sev—"

She didn’t let Micah finish. She had already walked into her office, shutting the door behind her before her assistant could say another word.

As soon as she was alone, she leaned against the door, eyes shutting for a brief second as a long sigh escaped her lips.

The memories of Braxton’s office played in her mind like a slow- motion car crash, each moment twisting the knife deeper. The silence of her office felt suffocating, pressing against her chest, making it harder to breathe.

Asingle tearslippeddownhercheek.She didn’t botherwiping it away. Her makeup was ruined, but it didn’t matter. Nothing could compare to the ache in her heart.

"Tears?"

The voice was calm, smooth, but as always, cold. It cut through the silence, snapping her eyes open, her body instantly tensing.

She didn’t have to look over to know who it was. But she did anyway. And the moment her gaze landed on Hassan, her heart pounded louder, faster, like it was trying to break free from her chest. But she refused to let him see it. She straightened, pushing herself off the door, quickly wiping her tears as she walked to her desk, ignoring him for just a second, forcing herself to focus.

"Why are you here? And without an appointment again." Her voice was steady, her tone distant, shielding the storm brewing inside her.

She kept her back to him, pretending to be occupied as she grabbed a tissue, blotting away the evidence of her pain.

Silence. He didn’t answer. Not immediately. Then—

"Look at me."

The command sent a shiver straight down her spine.

She stayed still, her body defiant, refusing to give in.

"I have a session in a few. You should leave." She avoided his gaze, because she knew what it would do to her.

Another stretch of silence. The air between them felt thick, heavy. Then—

"I don’t repeat myself." His voice was even, controlled, but sheheard it—that softness beneath the ice.

Sevynexhaledslowly,leaningonherdesk,stillnotturningaround.

"I don’t answer to you, either." Her response was sharp, calculated, meant to keep control.

A chuckle rumbled from his chest, deep and low, sending another wave of something dangerous through her body.

Sevyn finally turned around.

"Sure did follow though." His voice was taunting, his eyes locked onto her, unwavering.

His jaw clenched the second his gaze met her red-rimmed eyes, his entire body tightening. It sent butterflies straight to her stomach, but she forced herself to stay composed.

"What do you want, Hassan?" Her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes locked on his.

"What’s wrong?"

The words slipped out so naturally, but the look in his eyes—the brief flicker of surprise—told her even he couldn’t believe he’d asked it.

---