To the Ends of the Earth

Chapter One: Safe

Safe?

I hugged the throw pillow closer to my body as I stared at my therapist, Dr. Mara Crain, unable to get a word out. Why was I tongue-tied? I contemplated the question she asked me. 'Did you feel safe with your family?' Did I?

I cleared my throat, trying to find my voice. "What do you mean by safe, Dr. Crain?"

"Well Lottie, safe as in protected, secure, not at risk of harm... even if it is emotional harm you need to be protected from," she explained.

"Umm," I nodded. "Sure, I stayed with Alex and Athena. I know my brother will always protect me."

"Since you felt safe with him, did you tell him about the text messages?"

"No," I mumbled, shaking my head.

"What about your parents? Did you visit them?"

"Yes, I had dinner with them the first night I arrived in LA."

"And, how did that go?"

"Fine, they told me about a few events they'd like me to attend and asked if I needed anything."

She gave me a knowing smile. "Did you need anything?"

"No, they've already ensured I'm financially stable. We just had a nice dinner and I promised I'd visit them again soon."

"That's nice, Lottie. I'm glad you do not have to worry about your financial security. But, what about your emotional security? Did you ask for support regarding your emotional wellbeing?"

"No," I rushed to answer. "My family doesn't know about my struggles. I'm an adult. I could deal with my past trauma on my own."

Dr. Crain didn't respond and silently watched me, tempting me to continue talking.

"I did see Liam," I admitted, trying to change the subject.

"Liam?" she questioned.

"Yeah, Alex and Athena hosted a pool party with a few people. Liam was invited."

"Did you speak to him?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "We exchanged a few pleasantries."

"Is that it? Did you not mention anything from the past?"

"What's the point, Dr. Crain? He chose someone else over me. He chose Vivi! I saw the proof of it with my own eyes."

I took a deep breath, struggling to push back my memories. l did not want to picture the incriminating visual.

Five Months Ago

I don't think I'd ever danced so much in my life. My feet were killing me and I was ready to throw myself onto any flat surface. I waved good night to Alex and Athena as they entered their limousine, smiling at the sheer joy reflected on Alex's face. His dreams had finally come true. Athena was officially his wife.

The reception was over and all the guests were gradually heading back to the hotel. I stumbled —with aching feet— toward one of the cars provided by the service Alex had hired when I felt a presence behind me. I quickly turned, cursing myself for not having my pepper spray on hand. But, I blew out a breath of relief when I noticed Liam approaching me. I had managed to avoid him the entire week we were in Greece, but it looked like it was time to face him.

"Hey Lottie," he greeted, giving me a small smile. "Do you mind if I ride back to the hotel with you?"

I took my time answering him. I hadn't spoken to him in over a year. After watching Liam walk out of the art gallery with Vivi, I stopped all contact with him. I went home, packed some bags, and flew to Europe. I'd spent a few months in France and Italy before returning back to the States.

I hesitantly nodded and got into the car. Liam followed and slid next to me into the backseat.

"I've missed you, Lottie," he whispered, as our driver started the journey to the hotel. "How come you haven't responded to any of my messages?"

I shrugged my shoulders and looked out the window. Why would I respond to his messages? Liam picked Vivi over me. What was there to talk about?

"Do you think we can talk when we get back to the hotel?" he asked. "There are some things I'd like to explain to you."

I didn't respond and continued to stare out at the beautiful streets of Athens. Ten minutes later, we arrived at the hotel. I quickly exited the car and walked into the lobby, making my way to the elevators. Of course, Liam entered the same lift as me.

"What floor are you on?" I asked, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Seven," he replied.

Great! The same floor as me. I pressed the button for the seventh floor, and stood silently as we ascended. Once we made it to our floor, I rushed out of the elevator and walked to my room.

Liam hurried after me. "Please Lottie," he begged. "Just give me ten minutes."

I turned to face him, but I froze when I saw Vivi approaching us. "Oh, hell no," I mumbled. Then, with my blood boiling, I confronted her.

But, things escalated rather quickly.

Two hours later, I was sitting in the waiting room of an emergency room while Athena's brother, Nico, received stitches. Vivi, the crazy bitch, had stabbed him in the back. Liam was seated across from me, staring at me as I ignored him. I was too distracted by Nina, Nico's wife, arguing with some nurses about letting her in to see her husband when my phone pinged with a text. I checked my notifications and saw a message from Vivi. As I opened it, I was confronted with a photo of Liam and Vivi in bed, bare-chested. Liam was asleep and Vivi was pressed against him, smiling at the camera.

Well, that was all the confirmation I needed. All my hopes that I misheard our earlier conversation flew out the window.

I shook the thoughts out of my head and looked up at Dr. Crain. "No, there is no point in going over the past. I'm moving forward with my life," I answered with a steely resolve.

"Are you, Lottie?" she asked, sounding like she was unsure.

"Of course, I'm moving to LA and leaving the past behind me."

"How do you move forward without addressing your past? Especially when it continues to haunt you."

"I have moved on from the incident, Dr. Crain. I was just triggered by the messages," I insisted, trying to convince myself more than her.

"Lottie, by simply referring to it as an incident you're regressing. We really need to work on your underlying issues and unhealed trauma. After you leave today, I want you to consider opening up to someone close to you. It's been seven years, Lottie. It's time to share your story."

Why would I reopen a chapter that had closed a long time ago? As a matter of fact, that entire book was closed and sealed.

The End!