Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22436 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
“I spoke to Bellevue today.” I grip the phone tighter in my hand. “You’re not doing the things you’re supposed to be doing.”
I stay quiet, waiting for her to elaborate. I don’t think my behavior has been that terrible here. At least not the stuff that anyone knows about. It’s only Dr. Rourk that I play with. Did he tell on me? A sense of betrayal fills me, and I don’t know why. He doesn’t owe me any loyalty, and I think he hates that I turn him on.
Is it so terrible that I have a crush on him? I’ve never had one before, but even I know that you’re not supposed to fuck your doctor.
“Karmen, are you listening to me?” She sighs loudly. “I can’t deal with this anymore.”
“I’m sorry,” I mutter.
My mother isn’t the best, but I still get disappointed in myself when I can’t live up to her expectations. I never seem to live up to anyone’s. There’s always something about me that people want to change. I’m never good enough as I am. It’s like I’m not even the last to be picked. I’m not picked at all.
"I've heard that too many times. When they finally release you, you’ll have to find somewhere else to stay. I can’t do this, and Todd will—”
“Who’s Todd?” It’s a stupid question. My mom always has someone new. It’s not hard for her to snag a man. She’s beautiful in that perfect classic way. When she was younger, she was a model and dancer. Everything about her life has always been picture-perfect. Except me.
“It doesn’t matter. I moved in with him, and I’m done dealing with all of this. I can’t do it anymore.” She lets out another exasperated sigh. It sounds like it’s painful for her to have this conversation, and I know it’s not because she cares about me or my feelings. She doesn’t want to deal with me. It’s not as though she ever really has. She sent me to boarding school the second I was old enough.
“Mom, I—”
“I have to go,” she says, cutting me off. “You’ll have to figure this out on your own now. You’re an adult now. Start acting like it.” The line clicks before I can try to respond again.
When I release the phone, Dr. Rourk comes walking through the double doors. For the first time I’m not excited to see him. He ratted me out to my mother. Who else could it have been?
His eyes find mine, but I quickly look away before rushing to my room. I need to be alone. Guess it’s something I should start getting used to.
Chapter Four
ROURK
“T ell me why you’re angry.” I lean back in my seat to appear casual, but ever since I saw Karmen this morning, I’ve been on edge.
She was on the phone when I walked in, and as soon as she saw me, she slammed it down and walked away. Maybe I’ve gotten used to her teasing and filthy mouth, but seeing her glare at me with hate cut deep.
You don’t have to be a psychiatrist to know that the feelings I’m attaching to her are problematic. But now I need to know who hurt her so I can fix it.
“What’s the point?” She’s wearing her hospital issued scrubs today: top and bottom. But it’s the way she’s sitting that bothers me. Her arms are crossed tightly over her chest protectively, and her legs are up in her chair like she’s trying to appear smaller.
“Karmen,” I say softly, and finally she looks at me. “If you tell me what happened I can help. I can call—”
“My mother?” She huffs and then rolls her eyes. “No thanks.”
“I was going to say I can call the nurses’ station and have them check the cameras if someone hurt you.”
“What’s the saying? The call’s coming from inside the house. I think that’s the right way to use it here.” She still won’t look at me.
My brows furrow as I click on my computer and look over her chart. The phone call she had this morning was with her mother. Then I see an amendment made by Nurse Olivia earlier. As of this morning, her mother’s status was changed to no contact.
“Did your mother tell you she was going no contact?”
“I suppose that’s a nice way of putting it, but yes. Now that you’ve ratted me out, she’s told me when I’m released I have to find a new place to live. I’m on my own from now on.” Her jaw clenches, and I have to grip the arms of the chair so I don’t go to her.
“Ratted you out?” I shake my head, but she’s already letting out a bitter laugh.
“Why else would she all of a sudden want to cut me out of her life?” Her eyes are so angry, but there’s something else in them that looks like hurt. “She said she spoke to you this morning.”