the_real_tango
Elise buried her face in the blue dress, inhaling deeply. The scent of detergent and a hint of Lily's sweetness filled her lungs. She clutched it tightly, eyes closed, then stuffed it hurriedly into her handbag.
She turned to Lily's desk, her breath quickening. Drawings sprawled across the surface-one, in particular, caught her eye: a crayon house with stick figures labelled "Mom." Elise traced the sketch with trembling fingers.
"I'm here, sweetheart," she whispered, voice tight. "I'm always here."
~~~
While seeking redemption from her troubled past, Dr. Elise Marrow returns to her psychology practice. When she meets her new patient, Lily, she becomes fixated on protecting her, her obsession with saving Lily blurring the lines between protector and captor.
Is Lily truly at risk, or is the danger stemming from Elise herself?
Note: This story explores trauma, obsession, and redemption, including potentially triggering themes such as child abuse, domestic violence, psychological manipulation, and mental illness.
#5 for Psychologist (800+ stories)
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#83 for Domestic Violence (1000+ stories)
#89 for Mind (1000+ stories)