Page 12 of Toxic Salvation
Kovan flinches like she’s slapped him.
“The solution isn’t to cut more people out of his life,” Dr. Paige goes on. “It’s to rebuild the support system that made him feel safe.”
“His support system is his family. The Krayevs. That’s it.”
“With respect, Mr. Krayev, that hasn’t been working very well.”
Dr. Paige looks at Kovan without blinking. Kovan stares at Dr. Paige as if he’s considering whether to intimidate her intosubmission or simply walk away. Dean Thomas looks like he’s trying to disappear into his chair.
And I sit there all alone, feeling like my heart is being slowly torn in half.
“I need some air,” Kovan mutters at last, yanking the door open.
Both Dean Thomas and Dr. Paige look confused as Kovan strides away. But apparently, no one is prepared to physically restrain him or force him to see sense.
I doubt I’ll have much luck either, but I’m sure as hell going to try.
Problem is, I don’t get a chance to try anything—words or violence—because I walk out of the principal’s office just in time to see Kovan nearly collide with someone in the hallway.
Someone I recognize immediately.
Eliza Murphy, the social worker.
Oh, shit.
This can’t be good.
5
KOVAN
Just what I fucking needed.
Of all the people to run into, today of all days, it has to be Eliza fucking Murphy.
I thought I’d seen the last of her when Judge Latimer handed down the custody ruling. But then again, nothing in my life has ever been that simple.
“Ms. Murphy,” I say, forcing my voice into something resembling civility. I can feel Vesper behind me, close enough that her presence makes my skin burn. “What brings you to Cordingly Prep?”
Her eyes slide past me to land on Vesper, and I know we’re fucked. Vesper has every reason to destroy me right now. One word from her about our breakup, and Murphy will have Luka back in Yana’s custody before the day is over.
“It’s not a coincidence, Mr. Krayev,” Eliza says. “I’m here for Luka. Court-mandated follow-ups are part of your custody agreement, as I’m sure you recall.”
My jaw clenches. “Of course.”
“Dr. Fairfax.” Murphy turns to Vesper with what passes for warmth from her. “Good to see you again.”
Vesper takes Eliza’s appearance in stride. “Eliza, what a surprise,” she says as she steps next to me. “I assume you’re here to check on Luka’s adjustment?”
“Among other things.” Murphy’s gaze bounces between us. “Though I have to say, finding you both here suggests things might not be going as smoothly as I’d hoped.”
I’m fucking spiraling inside. This is it. This is where Vesper gets her revenge. Where she tells Murphy exactly what kind of man I really am and watches my world crumble down around me.
Instead, she smiles. “Luka’s been having some trouble with bullies at school. You know how cruel children can be.”
I stare at her, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Waiting for her to add,“Oh, and by the way, Kovan’s a lying piece of shit who threw me away like garbage.”
But she doesn’t.
