The Promise (Darkest Lies Trilogy Book 2), Bethany-Kris [top 50 books to read .txt] 📗

when she did so, it really didn’t come off like he had a choice. Besides, he wasn’t stupid. Michelle had a job to do that was imperative to Karine’s well-being and recovery, and this was a part of the reason why they were there in the first place.

His foolishness was not.

Standing together in the kitchen, side by side at the sink, he dried while his mother washed—something that reminded him of his childhood. Despite the help his mother always had in the form of maids, and even a chef at times, she still liked to wash her own dishes. Especially after a meal.

Roman did, too.

They had spent a lot of time as a family at the Vermont lake property when he was growing up. Over the years, they had extended and added to the lodge itself to turn it into a massive mansion-like structure that still retained the look of a log cabin in the middle of the woods. Only a big one. It was supposed to be a home-away-from-home for them, and the Avdonins had achieved exactly that.

Five families could comfortably fit inside the home and live in peace with room to spare, and across the lake, a smaller lodge was owned by close friends of his grandfather.

So, the decision to bring Karine to Vermont was an easy one. While a war may rage outside, she would be safe here. Or at least, Roman hoped she would.

“You know she has every chance of getting ... I’m not sure better is the right word, but—well, it’s the best I have.”

His mother’s off-handed comment interrupted his thoughts, making him blink to focus on her again. She gave him a soft smile of understanding. Like she knew what was on his mind—Karine. Her words also served to let him know she did have a bit of an idea about Karine’s overall situation, and not just minor details.

Good.

His father saved him that conversation.

“Better is as good of a word as any, Ma,” he returned with a shrug. “She’s in a better place as it is. And yeah, I’m hopeful even if nothing says I should be. Michelle Yang is one of the top in her field. If she can’t help Karine, then I don’t know who can.”

“You understand, though, that it depends very strongly on whether the patient wants to do their part in recovery and healing. It doesn’t matter how much money you throw into care, or what kind of doctor you have on hand, they have to want it, too. Do you feel like she does?”

“I think she does, most of the time it seems like she does. It’s not ... it’s not a clear path, not every day is the same, you know?”

Claire smiled at him warmly, and with just that look alone, the kindness of his mother dragged him in like a magnet, too. Undoubtedly the best soul being he knew to be genuine, and loving. Unlike his father, and most men in their life, his mother was always willing to give people a chance. She found the good in the bad, actively creating silver linings of her own making whenever she needed to do it. There was no better suited and qualified person to keep an eye on Karine when he did have to finally leave ... he took solace in that.

It helped.

A little.

“DID manifests itself in a variety of ways, which is why it is so difficult to treat. As it is with most mental health issues, the disorder can be unique from person to person, but especially so with this disorder. So, recovery techniques and timelines all depend on the person’s individual situation—some people never lose their alters while others—”

“Michelle explained a bit of that,” he said. At his mother’s questioning stare, he added, “Karine asked me to sit in on her first session.”

Not that he would have given anyone a choice. Maybe the illusion of one while he stood directly outside the open door. Karine was his top priority. No excuse.

“Ah,” his mother murmured in a low hum, and he recognized that tone. It was the same one she was careful to use whenever she would be delivering bad news, and didn’t want to cause alarm. Like the time she told him his dog had died. “Well, I wonder if her situation is trickier. Considering what her life must have been like hidden away, untreated with no real care or help ... the circumstances that caused the disorder.” Claire sighed, shaking her head but still managing a smile. “Well, those are all things she has time to deal with now, right?”

Karine’s first session with Doctor Yang had certainly left him feeling inspired about their situation. He found himself more reassured as his mother spoke that he was doing the right thing here. Even if he was in over his head.

“I don’t know what to expect from here, really, and I’m sure I’ve taken on more than I can handle,” he admitted, though it was the hardest thing he’d had to do. Mostly because it was more than just Karine’s DID—that was only one part of the equation of unknowns around her.

And him.

Them.

Was there even a them to begin with?

There it was—yet another unknown to leave him feeling unsure of himself, or everything else. Either way, Roman felt fucked. He didn’t show the mess of his feelings to his mother. She didn’t need to know, but he’d be a damn liar if he said she didn’t already just by staring at him.

She was his mother, after all.

Claire nodded.

“I’m not sure if you want to hear it, but for the record, I do think you have given her the best chance by bringing her here ... the doctor, too. All of it, Roman. I’m sure any of it is better than what she had.”

Claire turned the faucet off, then, and dried her hands on the towel he’d been using for wet dishes, before turning to her son. The pride he found staring back from her surprised him,