The billionaire's sweet editor
Chapter 121: Iris: Confronting the past

Chapter 121: Iris: Confronting the past

I sit in the therapy room, surrounded by walls painted a soothing shade of light gray that seems to calm my nerves. The room is filled with natural light pouring in through the large window, which overlooks a serene garden with lush greenery and vibrant flowers.

The sunlight casts a warm glow over the entire space, illuminating every detail to perfection—making the room seem more therapeutic than I want to give it credit for.

The therapist’s chair is positioned near the window, and I notice how the sunlight highlights the books on the shelf behind her. The tomes are a mix of psychology texts, self-help books, and novels, their titles and authors visible in gold lettering on the spines. Guess Doctor Williams advises his clients to take a look at some of them, though he hasn’t asked me to do anything of that sort to this day since I became one of his patients. The books seem to glow with a soft, golden light, adding to the room’s sense of warmth and comfort.

The couch I’m sitting on is plush and comfortable, upholstered in a soft, cream-colored fabric. It’s adorned with several throw pillows in calming shades of blue and green, which seem to complement the peaceful atmosphere of the room. The pillows are arranged artfully, inviting me to relax and unwind.

As I look around, I notice the plants in the corner of the room. They’re a mix of ferns and peace lilies, their leaves a vibrant green, and their blooms a pure white. The plants seem to be thriving in the sunlight, and their presence adds a touch of natural beauty to the space. Thanks to that, a few insects are coming in here, one of them being my arch-enemy, the bees.

The walls are adorned with a few pieces of artwork, each one carefully chosen to promote a sense of calm and serenity. There’s a painting of a serene landscape, with rolling hills and a peaceful lake. There’s also a photograph of a sunset, with the sky ablaze in hues of pink and orange. I don’t understand art that much, but these pieces strike out to me in a way that feels soothing in a sense.

They seem like they’re visually made to calm the heart the instant someone sets eyes on them. Thanks to that, my gaze keeps coming back to them every time I look around me.

However, it is soon masked by the sound of birds chirping outside the window, their melodies intertwining with the hum of the air conditioner. The sounds blend in a soothing symphony, creating a sense of peacefulness that helps me feel like I can suddenly open up and share my thoughts with Doctor Williams. I can’t believe his office works for him before he even sees his client.

Such sophisticated offices should be normalized in an age where everyone seems to be struggling with something—yes, I mean our era, no shame in pointing it out. The air in the room is filled with a sense of calm, and I feel my own tension begin to ease. That’s how powerful all these color palates and flowers, not to mention a few animals and insects, are doing to me.

I sit in the familiar chair, my fingers nervously twisting together as I wait for Dr. Williams to arrive. Today feels different; I can feel the weight of my recent discoveries pressing down on me. It’s almost like I’m that one novel character in a thriller during the final Chapters where plot twists happen.

All the secrets that I’ve uncovered and the inconvenient battle that I initiated with Lucas, all seem like the final challenges that I have to face before the final storm came—my Dad showing his face before me. I want to erase his face from my memory, but unfortunately, that’s only a power fantasy characters get to have and not us humans.

Fuck real life, I want to be the female lead in some fantasy novel damnit.

The door opens and I turn to look at who is about to enter. When Dr. Williams enters, his warm smile immediately puts me at ease. "Good morning, Iris! How are you today?"

I take a deep breath. "Morning. I’ve been better, to be honest."

He nods, his expression shifting to one of understanding. "I sense something is weighing on your mind. Would you like to share?"

I hesitate, thoughts swirling around in my head like a storm as he sits down and takes his notebook. But I know I need to talk about it. Sighing, I let out the most pressing issue at hand. "I found out that my father is back in town. My mom brought him to my house, and it stirred up a lot of feelings I thought I had dealt with."

Dr. Williams gestures for me to continue, his eyes encouraging. For a moment, I’m surprised he isn’t surprised, but then I remember this is his job and he’s probably heard even more devastating revelations. "That sounds significant. How did you feel when you saw him?" He asks.

"Overwhelmed," I admit, my voice trembling a bit. "I thought I could handle it, but it felt like everything I had buried came rushing back. I didn’t even let Lucas in on what was happening. I just ran."

"That’s understandable," he says gently writing something in his notebook. "Facing the past can be incredibly daunting, especially when it involves someone who has caused you pain. Have you had a chance to reflect on why it affected you so strongly?"

I nod, my heart racing. "I think I was scared. Scared of what he represents—the darkness, the fear I’ve tried to escape. I didn’t want to confront those feelings."

Dr. Williams leans forward, her expression serious yet compassionate. "It’s okay to feel scared, Iris. Acknowledging that fear is the first step toward healing. Have you thought about what you’d like to do next?"

"I don’t know," I admit, my voice breaking. "Part of me wants to confront him, to tell him how he affected my life. But another part of me just wants to run away and pretend he doesn’t exist."

"Both reactions are valid," he replies, his tone soothing. "But running away may not provide the closure you need. It might be helpful to explore what confronting him would look like for you. What do you hope to achieve?"

"I want to reclaim my narrative," I say, surprising myself with the clarity of my words. "I don’t want him to have power over me anymore. I want to face my fears head-on."

"That’s a powerful realization," Dr. Williams says, his eyes shining with encouragement. "Reclaiming your narrative means taking control of your story. It’s about deciding how you want to move forward, not letting the past define you."

I feel a flicker of hope. "How do I even begin to do that?"

"Start by writing down your feelings," he suggests. "Journaling can help you process your emotions and clarify what you want to say if you choose to confront him. You might also consider practicing what you want to say in a safe space, perhaps with a friend or even in front of a mirror."

"That makes sense," I reply, feeling more empowered. "But what if he tries to manipulate the conversation? What if he doesn’t take me seriously?"

"Prepare for that possibility," Dr. Williams advises. "Remember, your feelings are valid, regardless of his response. Establishing boundaries is crucial. If he doesn’t respect your feelings, you have every right to disengage. Prioritize your well-being."

I nod, absorbing his words. "I want to be strong, but it’s hard to shake off the fear he instills in me."

"Fear is a natural response, especially given your history," he adds gently. "But strength isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the ability to act despite it. You’ve already taken a big step by recognizing your feelings and seeking help. That shows incredible strength."

"Thank you, Dr. Williams," I say, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over me. "I really appreciate your support."

"Of course, Iris. I’m here to help you navigate this. We can work through it together. Would you like to set some goals for our next sessions?"

"Definitely," I reply, excited about the possibilities. "I’d like to focus on building my confidence and learning how to articulate my feelings more clearly—especially when it comes to confronting my dad."

"Great goals," he encourages, jotting them down in his notes. "And remember, you’re not alone in this. You have support from people like Lucas, and I’m here for you as well."

As our session comes to an end, I feel lighter, as if a heavy burden has begun to lift. I have a plan, tools to work with, and a renewed sense of determination.

"Take it one step at a time," Dr. Williams reminds me as I stand to leave. "You’re stronger than you think."

"Thank you," I reply, my heart swelling with gratitude. "I feel like I can actually start to face this now."

As I walk out of the office, the sun shining brightly outside, I feel a sense of hope blossoming within me. I know the journey ahead won’t be easy, but I am ready to confront the shadows of my past and reclaim the narrative of my life. And with the support of Dr. Williams and Lucas, I finally feel like I can do it.