Page 94 of Liberating Bells
We’ll get through this. I know we will.
“I think I really like her,” Bells says, looking at me over the rim of her coffee cup. “She’s really gentle and easy to talk to. I hope she’ll be able to help me work through this.” She sighs audibly. “I’m tired of being scared.”
I reach my hand over the edge of her seat and rub her back. Izabel leans into my touch and closes her eyes. “Do you want to go home?” I ask.
She gives me a small nod, and I gather up our things. Bells is quiet on the car ride home, and I can tell she must be contemplating whatever they spoke about while in session.“When does she want you back?” I ask when we’re settled in the car.
“She said she’d like to see me two times a week for a while,” Bells says, looking out at the passing trees and houses.
“How do you feel about that?”
She shoots me an amused look. “I think it’s good. I’ve never really done therapy just for myself before—I went a few times to couple’s counseling with Mark, but I know regular therapy helps a lot of people. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”
“You’re so brave, Bells,” I say.
Izabel scoffs. “No, I’m not. Not even a little bit.”
I frown at her. “Why do you say that?”
“I let him control me,” she replies sadly. “I didn’t see what was happening right under my nose. I alienated my family, my friends, you. And I just let it happen, for so long.”
“Maybe that’s true,” I say carefully. “But from my perspective, I see a beautiful, strong woman who broke free from a manipulative situation. The timeline doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re out. You’re free.”
Izabel still has a forlorn expression on her face. She grips her coffee between her hands and stares out the window. My heart aches. I wish there was more I could do to help her through this, but I know this is something she needs to work out on her own.
I watch her from the corner of my eye and suddenly can’t resist. “Tell me something I don’t know, Bells.”
She looks up at me, and a second later, a huge smile splits across her face. “I love you, Ryan.”
I nearly swerve the car, but luckily, we make it to the stoplight. “Really?” I ask her once we’re at a complete stop. I hate that I sound so surprised, but it doesn’t seem to faze her.
She fiddles with her fingers in her lap and looks up at me from under her eyelashes. “Really. You know you’ve always been important to me, but these last few days, it’s just hit me that Idon’t want to go another minute of the day without you knowing exactly how I feel about you.”
While we’re still stopped, I cross the console in a swift movement, capturing her face in my hands. I kiss her like a madman, pouring every bit of how I feel into it. She lets out a little moan and kisses me back with just as much fervor.
We’re both breathless when the light turns green. “I love you too, Bells,” I say softly. I can’t wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the drive.
We head back into the condo, and Izabel goes straight to my bedroom rather than the guest room. She’s been sleeping with me every night this week, so I think it’s safe to assume she’s moved out of guest status. Most of her personal items are still stashed in there, but maybe I could convince her to move those today or tomorrow.
I stand door frame and cross my arms as I watch her get settled on the bed. When she sees me watching her, she gives me a smile. “What?”
“I just like the sight of you in my bed,” I say as my chest swells with warmth. I cross the room, closing the distance between us. When I’m on the bed, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer to me. Izabel presses her cheek against my chest and wraps her arms around my waist. We hold each other for a few quiet moments before she takes in a shaky breath.
“What is it?”
“My therapist said that I should consider getting the rest of my things from Mark’s house,” Izabel recounts to me hesitantly. “She says that as long as I still have part of my life there, I won’t be able to fully move on.”
I frown, even though she can’t see my face. “Have you told her he’s hurt you? I don’t know if it’s safe…” I trail off. I hope I haven’t crossed a line.
“She suggested going at a time when I know he won’t be there. Like a weekday, during work hours.” Izabel nuzzles into my t-shirt. “I know what she’s saying, though. I want my life to continue to move forward on this path, but a part of me still feels like I’m stuck back where I was.”
I exhale, frustrated. “Well, I need to go with you. I don’t want you there alone.” I feel her nod against me, and I tighten my hold. “Maybe we could go Thursday. I want to give it another week,” I tell her. “Does Mark work Thursdays? Can you wait that long?”
“I have plenty of things I can wash until then. And yes, he’s usually at the office all week until late.”
“How much stuff do you have?” I ask. “I could get a truck if we need it.”
She nods again. “That would be good. I never unpacked all my stuff from my apartment, so it’s all still in boxes. But I don’t think it will fit in your car.”
