STRANGE LOVE | RAFE CAMERON |

CHAPTER 27: | THERAPY SESSION |

The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. It was a new day, a chance for Allison to reclaim her life, but the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on her chest. She woke early, the tension in her body making sleep impossible. The night had been filled with restless dreams—memories of Rafe, the overdose, and the stark reality that she was about to face her deepest fears in a place designed to strip her down to the rawest version of herself.

She dressed in a simple outfit, choosing comfort over style, and checked her suitcase one last time. Her mother, who had been a quiet but steady presence since the hospital, was already in the kitchen, preparing a light breakfast. The aroma of toast and coffee filled the air, but Allison's appetite was nowhere to be found. She forced down a few bites, knowing she would need her strength for the day ahead.

"It's time," her mother said softly, placing a comforting hand on Allison's shoulder. Her voice was gentle, yet firm, as if she knew that the slightest crack in her composure could unravel them both.

Allison nodded, taking a deep breath as she picked up her suitcase. Each step toward the car felt like a final farewell to the life she had known—the life she was now determined to leave behind. As they walked, the familiar surroundings of the house seemed to blur, fading into the background as the future loomed ahead.

Before getting into the car, Allison turned back for one last look at the house. The memories of the night before played like a film reel in her mind—the painful confrontation with Rafe, the tears, and the final, heartbreaking realization that they were on different paths now. She didn't know what the future held, but she was ready to face it, no matter how uncertain it might be.

The drive to the rehab facility was a silent journey through a landscape that seemed both familiar and alien. Allison's mother sat beside her, radiating a calm strength that Allison clung to. She wished she could draw from that strength, and let it bolster her courage, but all she felt was a swirling mix of fear, regret, and a fragile hope that she could rebuild herself from the ground up.

When the sprawling grounds of the rehab center came into view, a lump formed in Allison's throat. The center was beautiful—serene, with gardens and walking paths that promised peace and healing—but it was also intimidating. This was where she would confront her demons, where she would strip away the layers of denial and self-destruction that had brought her to the brink of death.

Inside, the atmosphere was a mix of clinical efficiency and a warm welcome. The staff moved with purpose, but their smiles were genuine, their eyes filled with the promise that healing was possible. Allison was shown to her room, a simple yet comforting space with pale walls and soft linens. The bed was neatly made, the wardrobe empty and waiting for her belongings. This would be her sanctuary, the place where she would confront the darkest parts of herself and hopefully, begin to heal.

As she unpacked her suitcase, each item of clothing felt like a relic from a life she was leaving behind. When she pulled out Rafe's t-shirt—she held it close, inhaling the faint scent that still clung to the fabric. It brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad, and she wasn't sure whether to keep it or let it go. Eventually, she folded it neatly and placed it at the bottom of a drawer, a reminder of the past she wasn't quite ready to discard.

・ • ・ • ・

The first few days at the facility were a whirlwind of introductions, group meetings, and orientation sessions. Each new face was a reminder that she wasn't alone, that others were fighting their own battles against addiction and despair. The detox process was brutal, a physical and emotional purging that left her weak and vulnerable. Sweats, chills, nausea, and sleepless nights became her constant companions, but it was the emotional pain that cut the deepest. The memories of her overdose haunted her, vivid and terrifying reminders of how close she had come to losing everything.