Under His Protection

Chapter 73: Isolation and Fragility

The door creaked open just enough for Bronze to shuffle out, his tiny hands gripping his favorite stuffed animal. Brittany knelt immediately, smoothing his hair and pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"Is Mama okay?" he asked, his voice small.

Brittany's heart clenched as she glanced at the locked door. "She'll be okay, sweetie. Why don't you go play with Sterling for a little bit?"

Bronze nodded reluctantly, casting one last worried look at the door before heading down the hall.

Brittany, Ross, and Dr. Caroline exchanged anxious glances.

"She hasn't eaten, has she?" Dr. Caroline asked, already knowing the answer.

Ross shook his head. "No, and she won't let anyone near her. She barely let Bronze out of there. I don't know how much longer she can go on like this."

Brittany bit her lip. "Maybe I can try. She used to trust me more... maybe she still does."

Dr. Caroline hesitated. "Be careful. She's fragile right now, and anything that feels like pressure might push her further away."

Brittany knocked softly on the door. "Tay? It's me. Just me."

Silence stretched for an agonizing moment. Then came a muffled, trembling voice. "You... you can come in."

Brittany opened the door slowly, stepping inside. The sight before her broke her heart.

Taylor was curled up on the bed, drowning in one of Travis's oversized hoodies. Her hair was disheveled, her cheeks stained with tears. Piles of crumpled tissues surrounded her, and her phone lay beside her, the call log showing Travis's name over and over again.

Brittany sat carefully on the edge of the bed. "Hey, Tay."

Taylor sniffled, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's not here."

"I know," Brittany said softly, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Taylor's ear. "But he'll be back, Tay. He always comes back."

Taylor didn't respond. Instead, she shifted closer to Brittany, hesitantly resting her head on her shoulder.

Brittany froze for a moment, surprised by the sudden contact. Then she wrapped an arm around Taylor, holding her gently.

Taylor's body trembled as fresh tears began to fall. "I don't know how to do this, Britt. I can't... I can't function without him."

Brittany tightened her hold, stroking Taylor's back soothingly. "It's okay to feel like this, Tay. You've been through so much. But you're not alone, okay? We're all here for you."

Taylor shook her head, her voice breaking. "It's not the same. I need him. I need to feel him here." She clutched at the hoodie she was wearing, inhaling deeply as if the faint scent of Travis could somehow fill the void.

Brittany's heart ached. "What about Bronze? He loves you so much. He needs you too."

"I can't be what he needs," Taylor whispered, her voice filled with guilt. "I'm barely holding on."

Taylor reached for her phone again, her hands shaking. She dialed Travis's number for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

The line rang twice before his familiar voice came through. "Sunshine, I'm here."

She let out a shaky breath, her tears flowing freely. "I don't know how to do this, Travis. I don't know how to breathe without you."

His voice was steady, but she could hear the strain in it. "You're doing it, Tay. One breath at a time. I'm so proud of you."

"I need you here," she pleaded, her voice cracking. "I need you to come back."

"I'm coming back," he promised, his voice filled with determination. "As soon as I can. Until then, let Brittany help you, okay? She's there for you, Sunshine."

Taylor clung to the phone as if it were a lifeline. "Just... don't stop answering. Please."

"Never," he assured her.

As the call ended, Brittany noticed how Taylor's breathing evened out slightly, her tears slowing. But the desperation in her voice lingered in the air.

"Taylor," Brittany said gently, "what if we talk to Dr. Caroline together? Just for a little bit. I'll stay with you the whole time."

Taylor stiffened, pulling away slightly. "I don't want to talk to her."

"I know," Brittany said softly. "But she just wants to help, Tay. You don't have to do this alone."

Taylor shook her head vehemently. "I'm not talking to anyone. I just want Travis."

Brittany emerged an hour later, exhausted and emotional. She relayed the situation to Ross and Dr. Caroline.

"She's completely fixated on him," Brittany said. "I've never seen her like this. It's like she's shut off everything else."

Dr. Caroline sighed deeply. "This kind of dependency is dangerous-for both of them. Travis is doing everything he can, but he's not a trained professional. She needs help beyond what he can give."

Ross crossed his arms. "How do we get her to accept that? She barely lets anyone else near her."

Dr. Caroline's expression was grave. "It's going to take time, patience, and Travis's involvement. But we also have to think about Travis. If he keeps pushing himself like this, he'll burn out. And then where will they be?"