Page 130 of The Ecstasy of Sin

Mom’s eyes were focused on mine, so loving and supportive. She never once made me feel like a burden. In fact, she made me feel like helping me was something she was blessed to be able to do.

“I know it’s hard,” she whispered, cupping my face, “but it’s worth fighting. You deserve a good life.”

We’d gone home that afternoon with a new prescription in hand. For the first time in weeks, I’d felt hopeful. Like maybe I could have a more normal life, if we could just find the right medications.

The memory fades, slipping back into the shadows of my mind as the warmth of Dominic’s hand around mine grounds me in the now.

I swipe at my cheeks, blinking through the tears, and offer Dr. Everly a small smile.

“Thank you.” It’s all I can manage to say.

She nods, a sweet smile tugging at her mouth. “We’ll start with the CT scan Mr. Kael requested. I’d like to get a good look at your brain, check for any white matter lesions, and see if there’s anything else of concern from a lifetime of migraines.”

Beside me, Dominic tenses. When I glance over at him, I see his eyes narrowed in concern. “You’ll be able to perform the test now, and read the results immediately?”

Dr. Everly nods. “That’s what you’re paying me the big bucks for, sir.”

My breath catches, and I stare at Dominic. That old, familiar voice stirs in the back of my mind.

He’s doing too much. This is too much. You don’t deserve this kind of care.

Before the voice can sink its claws in, Dominic turns to me, his eyes instantly softening. He leans in and kisses me, gentle and quick, then ducks his head close to my ear.

“Do I need to fuck you on that examination table before we proceed, little lamb? Do you need another reminder?”

A violent shiver runs through me. My whole face flames at his words, at the way his voice drips with lust and dark promise.

He pulls back just enough to look at me again, and the look in his eyes steals my breath away. Lustful, possessive, and unapologetic.

“N—no,” I murmur, the blush already crawling down my throat, spilling across my chest like a spreading flame.

Dominic’s smile is pure sin: dark, knowing, and satisfied. He nods once, then turns smoothly back to the doctor. “Let’s proceed, then.”

CHAPTER 32

Dominic

It’sbeentwoanda half hours since we first sat down with Dr. Everly. Wren is exhausted, her face tense and her brows slightly furrowed as she tries to concentrate on the doctor. If this wasn’t such an important appointment, I’d throw her over my shoulder and carry her upstairs to bed.

The movers were scheduled to arrive around the same time we did, with only my bedroom left to set up. Knowing our bed is up there, ready to be her sanctuary, makes my skin itch with the need to take her upstairs and show her where we’ll be spending a lot of time moving forward.

Dr. Everly sits across from us, her legs crossed at the ankles, poised beside a set of scans detailing Wren’s beautiful brain.

“I’ve found several small white matter lesions scattered throughout your brain, indicative of your condition. These spots may be contributing to the permanent neurological symptoms you’ve described. There’s no evidence of tumors or anything requiring immediate intervention. However, considering your family history, we’ll continue to monitor your brain yearly to ensure everything remains stable.”

I glance at Wren and see the exhaustion etched into her face. She sighs, her eyes dropping to the floor like she expected this.Like she assumed the doctor would confirm what she’s feared all along—that she’s broken beyond repair. That she doesn’t deserve help. That she’s a lost cause.

I wrap an arm around Wren’s waist and pull her into my lap, not giving a fuck what the doctor might think of it. She lets out a startled sound, her eyes widening as she settles on my thighs.

If Dr. Everly’s bothered by the display, she doesn’t show it.

I stroke Wren’s cheek, brushing my thumb across her trembling lower lip. “Whatever she finds doesn’t define your worth. It tells the story of your struggle.”

She’s quiet for a moment, then her glassy eyes lift to mine. She blinks, and a few tears slip free.

“You know me too well,” she whispers.

“Better than you realize.” I wrap her tighter against my chest as she presses her face into the crook of my neck.