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For a doctor, I'm stupid. I should have avoided triggering her trauma. Haven appears to be fine, but she has PTSD. She still blames herself for the death of the boy in the car. I also added to it by blaming Lauren's death on her.
You want to give hope to people and crush it?
I didn't mean to blame her. For many, her story has become one of hope. She has given kids with terminal illnesses the hope that they can escape death. Haven is given a second chance at life, and I can't bear seeing her waste it.
Call it stalking, but after seeing her this morning, I followed her everywhere she went. The growing obsession I fought for almost two months returned as a stronger, demonic lust. I can no longer deny that I want her, even when I shouldn't. And with that obsession came the fear that I might lose her. Hence, I watched how much beer she drank tonight and refused to let her drive after having that much. I didn't intend to wake her demons of guilt.
She’s so beautiful. I want to come close to her and do what I hoped to have done before. Kiss her. I remember the first time I saw her at the hospital. Even without knowing how powerful her green eyes are, Haven shook my heart.
A surge of heat envelops my chest when Haven slowly opens her eyes and stares at me. The memory and the joy of the first time she looked at me returns. But this time, overshadowing the guilt I feel for losing my wife.
“What happened?” Haven rises from the bed. She panics to find herself in my bedroom. “Where am I?”
"You're at my place." I explain that my apartment is near the hospital. I brought Haven home, so it'll be easier to transport her if she needs more care.
“I have to go,” Haven loses her balance as soon as she stands.
“Get more rest and visit your Richard tomorrow,” I say with my jaw clenched.
“My Richard?” Haven raises an eyebrow. “I can just call him to take me home now.”
“Take you home? Don’t tell me you have moved in with him?” They can’t be that serious after meeting for a short time, can they?
I tried not to care about Haven for the past months, but rumors spread about her relationship with her therapist, Dr. Richard Carter. It’s not out of jealousy, but I’m dubious about his intentions with Haven.
Richard has always been an ambitious asshole. He was the first to call me a parachute doctor after I earned the director status at the hospital. He's ahead of me by two years, but he's still a resident therapist. After working his way to impressing Haven's parents, Richard transferred to the doctor's suite, a benefit given to top doctors by the hospital. Mr. Ricci is also lobbying him to become the next director of psychiatry. Everyone in the hospital believes that the Riccis are grooming him to be their son-in-law. They wouldn't go all out if Haven is not interested in Richard, would they?
"So what if I have?" Haven's words became a bomb, exploding my contained jealousy and rage.
“You have no right to be with him,” I declare.
Haven's mouth drops open in shock. She pushes me out of her way and heads to the door. "You have no right to stop me," her childish tone irritates me. She has been asleep for almost six years, but she's no longer eighteen. She's a woman and should act like one. But her childishness brings out the cuteness in her.
"I have. I own your heart," I say while walking closer to Haven. She turns pale while her eyes become sharp.
I do own her heart. Mr. Ricci acts like a little king in the corporation because of my shares. The wicked man refused to rescind the contract after Haven woke up. In the eyes of the law, the stock transfers and proxy agreements are legal and voluntary. I can't claim that it was to buy Haven's heart. I can lose my license for doing it. So, our agreement still stands.
“I bought your heart from your father. And since you still live because of it, you’re mine as well.” The logic is wrong, but I have to demand what’s mine. “I can’t let Richard benefit from what I paid and bought.”
"Tell me you're joking or have lost your mind," Haven looks appalled.
She chuckles in frustration when I continue to give her a stern look. I lost Lauren even before she died because I failed to protect what's mine. I owned Haven before she was mine. Now, I have to have what I own.
Haven was supposed to give me my second chance at happiness. I am not letting go of that chance. I will have it even if I have to force it. She may hate it, but I will make her love it.
“You’re mine and will always be until your father returns my share,” I stubbornly stand on my stupid claim.
Haven's pale face turns red as she walks and throws punches at my chest. "My heart is mine and mine alone, asshole. And even if I choose to give it to somebody, he will never be you!"
The demon I hide possesses me. As Haven's cherub-like lips keep telling me her anger, all I can think about is taking them with my lips. When she speaks her last word, the demon triumphs in urging me to take what is mine. Her heart. Her everything.
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