Chapter 1 Hypnosis
The day after I slept with my stepbrother in his office, the media exploded with the story.
Then, my stepbrother, Aiden Caruso, twisted the truth. He told everyone I had seduced him.
I didn’t hesitate–I went to confront him right away.
But right outside his door, I saw he was inside, tangled up with his secretary, who was wearing nothing.
“Mr. Caruso, no matter what, she’s still family. Don’t you think you’re being too cruel?”
“Her? Please. She should be grateful I even let her near. If I weren’t trying to get back at her mom, she wouldn’t have had a chance.”
It was like plunging into an icy lake. I turned away and pulled up that unnamed.
“The hypnosis you said last time,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
“Esme, are you absolutely sure about this?” my mentor asked, concern deep in his voice. “Once we start, there’s no turning back. And we can’t predict what side effects it might have.
“This isn’t some love story experiment. If you regret it, it could eat you alive. Are you ready for that?”
He looked at me like he barely recognized the girl standing in front of him. Just a few weeks away, and I already looked like a ghost.
Dark circles under my eyes. A paper–thin frame. I looked like someone who could break with a single touch.
“I know exactly what I’m doing,” I answered calmly. “I just have one question. How long will it take to erase every- thing that hurts?”
I had done some research on hypnosis myself, but never this deep.
“A month. Come once a week. Four sessions will do it.”
I nodded, then signed the consent form with a shaking hand.
He looked at me as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, stayed silent. Seeing that my decision was final, he said nothing more.
With a small wave of his hand, he dismissed me. Other clients were waiting.
I strolled down the sidewalk, taking in every corner of the city.
I took out my phone and snapped a few pictures. Maybe soon, I wouldn’t remember any of this.
In a month, the three–year agreement would finally end. I’d already bought a plane ticket in secret. No one knew.
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Chapter 1 Hypnosis
Mainly, he didn’t know.
Aiden, the man who hurt me most in this world.
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That afternoon, I went to his company. I wasn’t supposed to be there, but I stumbled into something I wasn’t meant to see. I ducked into an empty office and overheard their conversation.
The suppressed crying was drowned out by the sounds of the two making love.
“Don’t tell him I was here.”
After that, everyone in the company knew. Aiden had done it on purpose.
So, even if I said nothing, no one would be foolish enough to bring it up.
I kept my head down and hurried toward the elevator. As I passed through the open office, I could feel the whispers crawling behind me like vines.
“Did you catch the drama yesterday? Looks like Esme’s been playing the waiting game all along.”
“Seriously? That girl has no shame.”
“She’s fresh out of college and already working here? I knew there was more to it.”
***
I clenched my fists, walking faster, wishing I could disappear into the floor. Only when the elevator doors finally shut did I feel a sliver of relief.
By the time I got home, it was already dark.
The lights in the house were blazing. For the first time, I didn’t want to go in.
I lingered at the doorway, heart pounding–until a voice called out from inside.
“Esme Morgan! What are you standing there for? Get your butt in here!”
I looked up, stunned. There she was. My mother, Pamela Morgan, was alive.
I ran to her, tears springing to my eyes. She wasn’t dead. She was right here. I wrapped my arms around her.
But she shoved me away like I was something filthy.
“What’s that smell on you?” she snapped, wrinkling her nose. “Get inside. We need to talk.”
I was still dizzy with relief when her hand struck me across the face. I stumbled to the floor.
“Esme! Have you completely lost your mind? I was gone for months, and this is what I come back to?
“With Aiden, of all people? Are you that desperate? Everyone’s talking about it–how do you expect me to show my
face?”
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She grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin. I looked toward the couch, toward Aiden.
But he only glanced at me, disinterested, like this had nothing to do with him.
Right. I had forgotten. I was just a pawn in his little game of revenge. No one pities pawns.
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Once Pamela had screamed herself breathless, she gulped down a glass of water, then leaned in and whispered, “He’s agreed to handle the fallout. But there’s a condition–you’ll work at his company for free for a month. I already said
yes to you.
“That way, you’re off the hook, and we can stay in the Caruso family. Keep living the good life. Don’t mess this up
for me.”
Afraid I might refuse, she added in a sharp voice, “Don’t be foolish.”
I bit my lip. Would saying no even matter? She never asked for my opinion before. And she sure wasn’t starting now.
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