𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐏𝐒𝐄 (𝐋.𝐍)

8.𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬?

Doctor Collins looked between the two people sitting in her office. This was definitely one of the hardest cases she'd ever taken on.

When she first met Elena she'd thought that it would be a simple case of helping her find herself again and teaching her how to cope with certain situations. Yet after a lengthy first session the doctor felt a longer and more intense programme was necessary.

She'd identified one common problem in Elena's life.
Men.
Elena's life consisted of men leaving her, controlling her and making her work for their approval.
Her father left her before she was even born.
She felt that she needed to prove herself worthy of her stepfathers love.
Her uncle and cousin were hard on her because they didn't want her making the same mistakes as her mother, allowing a boy to derail her plans for the future. Her grandfather kept her at an arms length and constantly made her feel small because he believes that she ruined his daughters life.
And Lando, well he was the first guy she loved and he made her feel like shit.

Elena had hidden her anxiety and depression behind a beautiful smile and a passion for singing. She constantly put others above herself, trying to gain their love and respect, ignoring her own pain.

Doctor Collins wanted that to stop.

Elena needed to know that she is loved and she had to hear it from the people who hurt her the most, who were also the people she loved the most.

They'd started with her mom and stepfather. The session was emotional as the parents realised how far gone their daughter was. Her parents were quick to reassure her that she was wanted and loved. Her stepfather told her how proud he was of her and that even though they weren't related by blood, he loved her unconditionally. Her mother repeated the same sentiment and called her every day to remind her that she was loved.

This session with Lando had brought her one step closer to fully healing. When he reassured her that she was not at fault in any way a weight was lifted from her shoulders. She felt like she could breathe again. And his declaration of love had warmed her broken heart.

She now focused on the doctor who was closing off the session. The doctor got up and hugged Elena, whispering to her how proud she was and asked her to leave the room so she could chat to Lando.

After the girl left the room, the doctor turned around to look at Lando. She sighed as walked back to her seat.
"Lando, can I call you Lando?"
The boy quickly nodded, he felt a bit nervous to be honest. He hoped Elena wouldn't leave just yet and the look the doctor was giving him made him squirm in his seat.

"Calm down I'm not here to intimidate you or shout at you. I saw the way you looked at Elena. You're still in love with her. And that's OK but it's going to come with a few struggles. Are you prepared for that?" The doctor was very protective of her clients and only wanted happiness for them.
" I'll do whatever it takes to make her happy. Even if it means I have to let her go. "
"Good. Well fortunately for you, you don't have to let her go. In fact I think she'd rather have you around. The most crucial part of her programme is done so I'm not to worried about her using you as a crutch. If you are going to stick around then I need you to do something for me. I need you to constantly reassure her that she beautiful, she is loved and that she is deserving of love. Can you do that for me? Because the next few sessions will take a big toll on her. "
" Yea I can do that. Anything for Elena. But can I just ask what's going to happen in the next few sessions? " The boy was willing to help Elena but he needed to know what was coming their way so he could prepare for the aftermath.

" I'm going to make her get rid of all her rules. She needs to make her own boundaries and stop living by the ones other people have set for her."
Lando was shocked, he could imagine that this would somehow involve her family and knew that things could get ugly real quick as they all had short tempers. He just hoped that she'd come out of it healed, not more bruised. He quickly said his goodbyes and rushed to the waiting room to see if she was still there.