The Man of My Dreams

Chapter Sixteen: Breaking the Illusion

Mia sat in the soft, muted light of Dr. Grace's office, her hands resting nervously in her lap. Neal sat beside her, his presence a quiet strength she was grateful for. She had been coming to therapy for a few weeks now, and each session peeled back a layer of confusion, making the fog surrounding Ethan's control clearer.

Ethan hadn't taken her decision to distance herself lightly. He had tried to reach her in every way possible—through haunting dreams, cryptic messages, and even subtle manipulations on social media, leaving reminders of their connection wherever he could. But with Dr. Grace's help, Mia had learned how to block him out. She practiced grounding techniques, visualization exercises, and daily affirmations that helped her resist the pull of his voice in her mind. His messages went unanswered, and the once-invasive dreams were now fading into the background.

Each night, when the nightmares tried to return, Mia would breathe deeply, reminding herself of the truth. Ethan's words were lies. His presence in her dreams was just another form of control, and she refused to let him dominate her thoughts anymore.

She was staying with Neal for the time being, seeking the comfort and safety his apartment provided. Every time she woke up shaking or with a sudden pang of dread, Neal would be there, reassuring her that Ethan had no real power over her. The nightmares were just that—dreams. Ethan's presence was no longer a reality she had to face alone.

Tonight was no different. Ethan's attempts to pull her back into his world had failed, and as Mia sat in Dr. Grace's office, she felt a sense of relief. This space was hers, a place where Ethan could not reach.

Dr. Grace, an experienced therapist, had gently guided Mia through the tangled web Ethan had spun around her. The dreams, the manipulation, the control—it all pointed to something far more sinister than Mia had initially believed.

"Mia," Dr. Grace began, her voice calm but firm. "I want you to remember something important. Manipulators like Ethan are experts at finding ways to get inside your head. The dreams, the emotional control, the physical reminders like bruises—these are all tactics to keep you doubting yourself, to keep you feeling powerless."

Mia nodded, her mind swimming with everything they had uncovered in the sessions. She had learned that Ethan had slowly isolated her, making her question her own reality, planting thoughts and fears in her dreams that he knew would weaken her. What had once seemed like an unexplainable connection was now revealed as deliberate, calculated manipulation.

"You mentioned how Ethan knew things about you before you had even shared them," Dr. Grace continued. "These are red flags. He likely studied you long before your first meeting. People like him prey on vulnerability, making it seem like fate when it's really just control."Mia swallowed hard, the weight of the revelation settling heavily. "So, everything... all of it... it wasn't real?"

Dr. Grace gave her a sympathetic look. "It wasn't based on any true connection, Mia. It was based on him exploiting what he knew about you. He wanted to make you feel dependent on him, like he was the only one who understood you. That's how he kept control."

A deep anger began to simmer in Mia's chest. How could she have been so blind? How could she have let Ethan manipulate her so thoroughly? But Dr. Grace's voice cut through her thoughts."It's important not to blame yourself," she said softly. "People like Ethan are skilled at this. You were vulnerable, but that doesn't make you weak. You've taken steps to break free, and that's the most important thing."

Mia felt Neal squeeze her hand gently. He had been her rock through all of this, helping her see the reality of what had happened. And now, as she sat in the therapist's office, she felt the last chains of Ethan's control loosening. She was no longer the woman Ethan had manipulated—she was stronger now.