Page 70 of Echoes of Obsession

He runs a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “I just don’t know if it’s safe.”

I squeeze his hand, trying to convey my determination. “I’ll be careful. I’ll take my meds religiously, I promise. But I can’t stay here any longer. I need to be surrounded by the people I love and in a place I feel safe. And I’m sorry to remind you of this, but I will have more seizures. Many, many more. There will even be some that we won’t even realize have happened. That’s the life you have to look forward to if you want to stay with me. Want to back out?”

“Not on your life,” he glares.

“I’ll be fine,” I smile.

Ghost looks at me, conflict raging in his eyes. Finally, he sighs, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “Alright, Snow. We’ll go home. But you have to promise me you’ll let me help you. Let me be there for you.”

A small smile tugs at my lips. “I promise. We’ll get through this together.”

He nods reluctantly, pulling me into a gentle embrace. “Let’s get you home then. You know I’m not letting you return to that apartment, right?”

“You're not?” I tease. “Where am I going to go, a motel?”

“Home, Snow. We’re going home, where our daughter and our dog are very anxious to see you.”

“Our?” I smile.

“Fucking right, baby. Ours. You going to fight me on this? Miles got Venom certified to marry people. I’ll take you to the clubhouse right now and slap my last name right on your first.”

“That wasn’t a very good proposal,” I laugh. “I’m going to slap my last name right on your first?”

Ghost smiles as I try to control my giggling. But as the laughter fades, a shadow crosses my mind, and the weight of what happened threatens to drag me down.

As we settle into the car and start the drive back home, I can’t shake the thoughts swirling in my head. The closer we get, the more the anxiety builds. Finally, I can’t keep it inside any longer.

“Ghost,” I say softly, my voice trembling. “What if... what if you look at me differently now? After what Hunter did to me...you might think I’m dirty.”

He glances at me, his eyes filled with pain and tenderness. “Snow, don’t ever think that. What happened to you wasn’t your fault. You’re not dirty. You’re the strongest, bravest woman I know. And nothing will ever change the way I feel about you.”

“ButIfeel different about me,” I admit, tears welling up. “I feel broken.”

He pulls over to the side of the road and turns to face me, his expression serious and filled with love. “Babe, listen to me. You’re not broken. What Hunter did... it was monstrous. But it doesn’t define you. You’re still the woman I fell in love with, the mother of our daughter, the one who makes my heart beat faster every time I see you.”

“But how can you look at me and not see... that?” I whisper, the tears spilling over.

He gently cups my face in his hands, his touch warm and reassuring. “Because when I look at you, I see strength. I see the woman who fought to stay alive, who came back to us. I see the love of my life, the mother of our child, the one who completes me. You’re not defined by what happened to you. You’re defined by how you rise above it. And I’ll be here, every step of the way, to help you heal.”

His words sink in, and I feel a flicker of hope amidst the pain. I lean into his touch, drawing strength from his unwavering support.

“I love you, Ghost,” I say, my voice choked with emotion.

“I love you too, Snow,” he replies, his eyes shining with sincerity. “Forever and always.”

With that, he starts the car again, and we continue our journey home. The road ahead is uncertain, but with Ghost by my side, I know we can face anything. Together, we will find our way, one step at a time.

Chapter Twenty-One

Amara

Several months have passed since that night. The nightmares have lessened, and the counseling has helped me rebuild the pieces of myself that felt shattered. Ghost has been my rock through it all, never pressuring, always supporting. We’ve built a new sense of normalcy, a routine that feels safe and loving.

Today, though, I feel different. Stronger. Ready.

As we sit on the couch together, watching some mindless TV show, I turn to Ghost, my heart pounding with a mix of nerves and anticipation. “Ghost,” I say softly, catching his attention. He mutes the TV and looks at me, concern flashing in his eyes.

“What’s on your mind, babe?”