Page 88 of My Sweetest Obsession

I shook my head. “No, he hasn’t.” It was shocking that he was actually respecting my request for distance. Yet my traitorous heart craved him despite the pain he had caused.

“I’ve never seen him try so hard to redeem himself,” Mya said, shaking her head. “He’s over the moon for you, girl.”

“Are you trying to convince me to forgive him?” I quirked an eyebrow at her as I took another bite of my burger.

“Nope,” she said with a smirk, popping the “P.” “I’m going to tell you the same thing I told him.” She dipped a chicken nugget in the sauce and took a bite.

“You’re both suffering from stages of grief.”

I shot her an incredulous glance. “Come on, really?”

“Seriously, hear me out.”

“Hear what out?” Tabi interjected as she strolled in, setting the jug down before going to the table to join the boys.

“I’m about to break it down for Gigi,” Mya replied. A mischievous smile played on her lips.

“What?” Tabi asked, her brow furrowing. “Is this about Nico?”

“Yep. Now, shh!” Mya playfully snapped, glancing over her shoulder at Tabi.

Tabi rolled her eyes.

Mya turned back to me with an intense look in her eyes. “Denial. When you were taken from him, he felt that loss, just like I’m sure you did. You both shared a special and profound bond that goes beyond what any of us can truly comprehend.”

Tabi, with a mouthful of food, nodded vigorously. “She’s right.”

Tristan tilted his head, holding a chicken nugget to his mouth. “Mom, don’t talk with your mouth full!”

“Yeah!” Aurelio added, bursting into laughter.

Tabi stuck her tongue out at them, and they erupted into giggles.

“Anger,” Mya continued. “It’s a valid response to what he did to you, and trust me, he felt it the moment he didn’t see you in the basement.” Mya’s tone turned somber.

I concentrated on finishing my burger instead of responding.

“Depression. You’re feeling sad and numb, and that’s normal after everything you’ve been through.” Mya’s voice softened. “Then there’s bargaining. You both are caught up in ‘what-ifs’ and ‘could-haves,’ wasting your energy on things that are out of your control.”

I finished my burger, and took a much-needed gulp of water.

“And last but not least, acceptance. It’s about accepting the reality of your situation and finding a way to move forward,” Mya concluded. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

I stared at her, speechless, yet feeling the weight of her words sink in.

“You don’t have to say anything back,” Mya said. “Just think about it.” She rose to her feet and tossed the garbage into the trash can.

Just as my thoughts began to form, a sharp knock echoed through the room.

“Come in!” the boys sang, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at their enthusiasm.

The door creaked open, revealing a man with a badge around his neck. Mya immediately tensed up, stepping firmly in front of him as if to shield me.

What the hell?

“What are you doing here?” Mya demanded.

“I’m Detective Stone,” he replied coolly, casting a glance over her shoulder towards me. “I have some questions for Gigi.”