Wren’s fists clenched in her lap as she fought against the tears threatening to spill. "I should have seen the type of person he was before it happened. I’m so stupid."

"No one is stupid, especially not you," Dr. Smythe replied firmly. "How can anyone predict the future?"

Wren shook her head, her voice filled with regret. "Looking back, there were little signs, but I was too blinded to notice."

"Everyone has moments of blindness when it comes to love," Dr. Smythe reassured her. "It’s totally normal."

"I should have known, though," Wren whispered, her voice filled with shame.

"Don’t beat yourself up over what ifs," Dr. Smythe advised. "You have to focus on the now."

Wren’s eyes filled with despair as she looked at the doctor. "I don’t have a now. I just have unbearable misery. I can’t get the images of what happened out of my mind."

The dam broke, and tears spilled down Wren’s cheeks, leaving wet streaks in their wake. Dr. Smythe quickly handed her some tissues while Connor gently rubbed her back, his hand moving in small, soothing circles.

"Shh…don’t cry, sunshine," Connor murmured, his voice tender. "It will be okay."

Wren shook her head, her tears blurring her vision. "It’s never going to be okay."

After giving Wren a few moments to collect herself, Dr. Smythe spoke again, her voice soft and reassuring. "Honey, it’s okay to feel upset and to have these feelings, but you need to quit blaming yourself."

Wren’s voice was small, almost childlike. "I don’t know how."

"That’s why I’m here to help," Dr. Smythe replied with a kind smile.

Wren’s eyes filled with doubt as she looked at the doctor. "Can I be helped?"

"Sure you can," Dr. Smythe said with confidence.

Wren’s voice was heavy with despair. "I feel like I’ll never be able to forget what happened."

"With courage and time, all bad things will fade and be replaced by happy memories," Dr. Smythe assured her.

"If you say so," Wren replied, her voice laced with disbelief.

"We’re going to have to open the wounds and talk about it before it gets better," Dr. Smythe explained. "I promise there’s a light at the end of the tunnel."

Wren looked at Connor, who was watching her with a mixture of hope, love, and encouragement. His silent support gave her the strength she needed to continue. "I will try."

Connor smiled at her, his voice filled with warmth. "You can do it, sunshine."

Dr. Smythe nodded approvingly before her expression turned serious. "Now, even though it can be painful, we need to talk about that night and Trevor."

Wren’s heart clenched at the mention of his name. The memories were still fresh, like wounds that had barely begun to scab over. She hesitated, but the look in Connor’s eyes gave her the courage to continue. "It was horrible. A true nightmare."

Dr. Smythe’s voice was soft and patient as she encouraged Wren to speak. "Can you tell me from the beginning how it happened and what triggered Trevor to act that way?"

Wren’s fingers dug into her palms as she tried to steady herself. "We had only been dating for a short time. He took me on a weekend trip and surprised me by proposing all of a sudden at dinner."

"I see," Dr. Smythe said, her tone neutral. "Go on."

Wren’s voice wavered as she continued. "I didn’t feel comfortable accepting the proposal because we didn’t know each other that long, and I wanted to wait until I was done with school."

"That’s a normal way to feel," Dr. Smythe reassured her.

Wren’s breath caught in her throat as she recalled what happened next. "He became angry when I tried to explain myself, but shrugged it off and said let’s just try and enjoy the rest of our getaway for the weekend."

"And then what happened?" Dr. Smythe prompted gently.

Wren’s hands clenched into tight fists, her knuckles turning white. She bit her lip, anxiety gnawing at her. "We went back to the hotel room, and as soon as he closed the door, he turned on me. He became angry and threw me on the bed…" Her voice faltered, her eyes filling with tears. "He held my arms down and screamed at me that I was a b****."

"Take your time," Dr. Smythe encouraged. "And keep going."

Wren’s voice shook as she continued, her body trembling with the effort. "He confessed that he was just with me for money and that he had been seeing other people behind my back. He said I had no right to act all high and mighty."

Connor’s voice was a low growl as he muttered under his breath, "That bastard."

Dr. Smythe’s voice was calm and steady. "How did you feel at that moment?"

"Scared and stupid," Wren replied, her voice thick with emotion.

"Those are normal and understandable feelings," Dr. Smythe assured her. "Please continue telling me what happened."

Wren’s voice grew softer as she relived the nightmare. "Then he attacked me forcefully. He tied my hands and feet to the bed and ripped my dress off of my body. He left bite marks and bruises from grabbing and kissing me too hard."

Connor’s body tensed beside her, his hands clenching into fists. Rage simmered beneath the surface, but he remained silent, his focus on supporting Wren.

Wren’s voice cracked as she continued. "I started to plead for him to stop, but he kept going. I fought back and bit him, but he smacked me so hard I almost blacked out. He then…he then forcefully raped me and took and took my virginity. Before he left he threatened that if I told anyone he would be back again for more.” 

Dr. Julia Mitchell’s office was a sanctuary of warmth and calm. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting gentle shadows on the walls. The doctor sat with a compassionate expression, her eyes reflecting a profound empathy as she faced Wren and Connor. Wren’s gaze was fixed on the floor, her fingers clasped tightly around a tissue.

Dr. Mitchell’s voice was soft, but there was an undercurrent of urgency as she spoke. “Oh honey, you’ve gone through so much. No wonder you are so tortured by what happened.”

Wren’s shoulders slumped, and her voice trembled. “That wasn’t the end.”

Dr. Mitchell’s brow furrowed with concern. “There is more?”

Wren nodded slowly, tears welling in her eyes. “Yes… he didn’t lie and came back for more.”

Dr. Mitchell leaned in slightly, her gaze steady. “What happened?”

Wren took a deep breath, her voice cracking. “I tried to flee, but he kidnapped me at the airport.”

Connor’s jaw tightened, his hand squeezing Wren’s reassuringly. “I tried to save her, but got there too late. I was able to find them and follow where he took her.”

Dr. Mitchell’s eyes widened with concern. “So you were also kidnapped?”

Wren nodded, her face pale. “Yes. He took me and tied me up again. I tried to fight him, but he was too strong. Thankfully, before he got too far the second time, Connor broke in and saved me.”

Dr. Mitchell let out a relieved sigh. “Thank goodness you got there in time, Connor.”

Connor’s voice was strained with emotion. “I was angry that I didn’t get there sooner.”

Wren turned to Connor, her eyes filled with gratitude. “You came, and that’s all that matters.”

Dr. Mitchell turned her attention back to Wren, her expression softening. “You’ve suffered so much, sweetie, but now it is time to start healing.”

Wren’s shoulders shook as she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t think I can. I can’t even stand to be touched by men now. I am grateful though.”

Dr. Mitchell’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Grateful?”

Wren nodded, her voice cracking. “Yes, that at least I didn’t get pregnant by that bastard.”

Connor looked at Wren with surprise, the thought of an unwanted pregnancy adding another layer of pain he hadn’t considered. He was grateful too, but hearing it voiced so starkly brought a fresh wave of anguish.

Dr. Mitchell nodded thoughtfully. “I see. Yes, that is something to surely be grateful for.”