"Secrets don't die with the ones who keep them. They haunt the living until they're forced into the light..."
Aminah Clarke's life shattered the night her fiancée, Hailee, died in a tragic car crash. Now, a year later, she is left with a book bar, a...
Hello my veiled babes 🤍 I now present to you chapter 20. Grab your snacks this chapter is a long one!! Please comment and vote (Your comments literally make my entire day! Like seriously
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Aminah's POV
"So, Ms. Clarke, care to explain why you've been missing your sessions, or shall we end things here and spare ourselves this waste of time?"
Her tone was steady, calm, despite the clear agitation written across her face. Capri has never really been the type to hide her feelings well. Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, she glared at me, her hazel irises barely peeking through. Impatiently, she tapped her heel against the carpeted floor, waiting for me to speak.
Cute.
A soft, almost unnoticeable smirk grew on my face, though not out of amusement. More out of understanding. You can always tell when someone's trying too hard to keep it together. I didn't say anything right away, letting her impatience simmer. I wanted her to feel uncomfortable. I wanted her to start doubting herself. After all, she had every reason to.
The room was warm, filled with the scent of vanilla and something earthy, a smell I hadn't missed in the three and a half months since our last session. I hadn't planned on coming back—actually, I was convinced I wouldn't. But plans change.
Plans evolve.
"You know, Capri..." I started slowly, tilting my head as I met her sharp gaze. "I've had a lot on my plate. But you already knew that, didn't you?" My words were measured, calculated. I watched as her expression faltered, just for a split second. It was there—uncertainty, masked behind her professional demeanor.
"You've always known more than you let on," I continued, my voice soft but laced with accusation. "But what I don't understand is why you thought you could hide it from me."
Capri shifted in her seat, her confident mask slipping ever so slightly. "I'm not quite sure what you're getting at, Aminah," she replied, her voice still calm but now with an edge of defensiveness. "I've only ever tried to help you. This isn't about—"
"Don't play dumb with me," I added, my voice a shade darker. "We both know there's more going on than just my absence."
Capri's fingers twitched, betraying her unease, though her gaze remained sharp. "Aminah, I understand you've been under a lot of stress, but making accusations won't help—"
"Don't," I cut her off sharply. "Don't act like you understand. You don't know a damn thing about what I've been going through. What Hailee was going through." I leaned forward, my voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "But you did know her, didn't you?"
Her face went pale for a second—just a flash—but it was enough. I caught it, and that was all I needed.
"What's wrong, Capri?" I asked, my tone mockingly sweet. "Cat got your tongue?"
