My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 454

Chapter 454

“You just described an emotional communication problem.”

“No. I described a transmission error.”

For some reason, that made him smile. I didn’t appreciate it.

The therapist set his notebook down on his lap,.”Raphael, I’m going to tell you something and I need you to resist the urge to argue with me for at least ten seconds.”

I immediately frowned, “That’s an unreasonable request.’

“Try anyway.”

I considered leaving. Unfortunately, curiosity won.

The therapist folded his hands, “Everything you’ve described today points to a pattern. You’re extremely good at identifying what you think.”

“Obviously.”

“You’re extremely good at identifying what other people might do.”

“Also obvious.”

“But every time this woman becomes involved, something changes.”

I leaned back against the couch, “That’s the problem.”

“No,” he said calmly, “That’s the clue. You describe conversations, events and risks, even her looks with remarkable detail. But when I ask what was happening inside your head during those moments, you either change the subject, start pacing, make a joke or begin explaining something completely unrelated.”

I opened my mouth.

He pointed his pen at me, “That wasn’t an invitation to demonstrate.”

I closed my mouth again.

“I’m not diagnosing anything today,” he continued. “That would be irresponsible but I am telling you that one appointment isn’t enough.”

I sighed, “That’s unfortunate.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn’t enjoy this.”

His expression remained neutral, “Most people don’t enjoy discovering blind spots.”

I frowned, “I don’t have blind spots.”

“Everyone has blind spots,” he added confidently, “If you want help understanding these lapses, I need more information. I need to observe patterns over time. I need context. One conversation isn’t enough.”

“How many?”

His eyebrow lifted, “How many what?”

“Sessions.”

“We’ll see.”

“I dislike vague answers.”

“And I dislike patients who try to turn therapy into a business transaction.”

I considered informing him that all transactions were business transactions before I could, my watch vibrated)

People were constantly making bad decisions.

It was exhausting.

Unfortunately, my thoughts returned to the therapist.

Then to Gianna.

Then back to the therapist.

Then immediately back to Gianna.

I frowned at the window.

By the time we reached the estate, I had solved three business problems, approved two acquisitions, rejected four proposals and still somehow ended up thinking about the same woman.

The gates opened.

The car rolled up the driveway.

I stepped out before the driver could reach the door. Someone greeted me and I nodded without slowing down.

The front doors opened as I approached. Staff moved through the hallways carrying trays and folders. Somewhere in the distance someone was arguing. It sounded like Dante and Jewel.

The familiar corridor stretched ahead. The doors to Vincenzo’s study were partially open. I pushed one of them wider and stepped inside.

Vincenzo sat behind his desk. A file was open in front of him, he looked up when I entered.

Then he took one look at my face and slowly closed the file. Something in his expression changed, “What happened?”

I walked farther into the room, “Vince, we need to talk.”