Chapter 212

While Verena waited quietly on a bench outside, Isaac and Simon entered the therapy room.

Once the door closed, the two men sat across from one another.

Simon's eyes drifted briefly to Isaac's legs, a faint trace of mockery flashing beneath his calm expression.

Eventually, he fixed his eyes on lsaac and spoke in a soothing tone. "There's no need to be uneasy, Mr.

Bennett. Life has handed you a challenge, but with my guidance, you'll be back on your feet soon."

Inwardly, Simon sneered at the idea of Isaac being back on his feet.

His real intentions were hardly so benevolent.

A subtle squint tightened Isaac's gaze, sharpening it with a hawk-like intensity.

In that split second, he sharply registered the very first glance cast toward his legs.

As someone used to navigating the business world's dangers, Isaac had learned long ago to trust his instincts; he'd encountered plenty of people who didn't wish him well.

He knew he hadn't imagined that glance.

A genuine professional would never be so blatant,

Psychologists typically made an effort to avoid focusing on a patient's disability, knowing how sensitive those wounds could be.

For someone already in a fragile state, that kind of behavior would feel like pouring salt on an open wound.

Isaac quickly sensed that the therapist seated across from him was behaving strangely.

With a courteous nod, Isaac kept his suspicions hidden. "Thank you for your help, Dr. Moss."

Simon's smile faltered just a touch. "If you're ready, let's get started." He leaned forward, folding his hands atop the table and locking eyes with lsaac. "Tell me, how did your injury happen?"

Isaac's voice stayed steady. "It was a car crash."

Simon let out a light laugh. "Would you mind sharing more? Who else was in the car? What injuries did everyone sustain? And how were you feeling in the moment?"

He maintained a polished, gentlemanly air, but the chill in his eyes never faded, a coolness that hinted at something hidden beneath the surface.

No one understood it more clearly than lsaac did.

Simon's line of questioning was nothing more than an attempt to poke at his wounds and watch him flinch.

That alone was enough to put lsaac on high alert.

He knew when to trust his gut.

Any psychologist worth their salt wouldn't push a patient toward discomfort o shame in their very first meeting.

If someone did, it was a sign they shouldn't be trusted with anyone's care.

Even though it was his first experience with psychological treatment, Isaac had a fair grasp of how it worked.

No reputable doctor would begin a session by asking questions that are provocative.

Even someone just starting out would know better, let alone a professional at Evelyn Model Hospital.

He looked up with a steady gaze and answered, "I saw it all happen. The driver died instantly. My father passed away right next to me."

His words were delivered with such composure that they offered nothing for Simon to latch onto.

Still, Simon tried to dig deeper. "Your father's death was right before your eyes. What exactly was happening then? What was going through your mind?" As Simon recalled the car accident and what lsaac had been through, something almost gleeful flickered beneath his calm surface.

Isaac's stare never wavered, cold and inscrutable, filling the room with a silent threat.

That unsettling gaze snapped Simon out of his self-indulgence. He took a quick glance at the nearby monitor, suddenly aware his tactics were crossing the line.

With a practiced smile, he shifted the conversation. "Or maybe... let's talk about your relationship with your father.What was it like?"

Isaac's usually unreadable expression softened for a moment."We were close."

Simon didn't let up. "So, since the accident, you're refusing to acknowledge reality? You won't accept either your father's death or your own condition?"

Isaac's eyes dropped, his lips pressed together in silence.

Simon pulled an old-fashioned pocket watch from the drawer, the kind often used in traditional hypnosis."If you won't talk, Mr. Bennett, then let your dreams speak for you. Facing your pain is the only way to break through those mental barriers and speed up your recovery." He held the pocket watch in front of Isaac, his voice slipping into a slow, soothing rhythm. "Keep your eyes on the watch. Just relax, and let your attention follow its movement. Imagine yourself sinking into a comfortable chair at the end of a long day. As the watch swings, your breathing slows, your muscles unwind,and your mind quiets down... You can trust me. Your father wouldn't want you to stay trapped like this..."

He repeated these calming phrases, but Isaac's gaze never wavered. His eyes remained sharp and clear,showing no sign of slipping into hypnosis.

Noticing Isaac's resistance, Simon's expression hardened for å moment. It was obvious Isaac wasn't about to let his guard down.

If Isaac refused to cooperate, Simon could use that as an opportunity to linger around Verena.

After setting aside the pocket watch, Simon straightened up and addressed Isaac. "Excuse me. I'll step out for a moment."

The sound of the door opening made Verena glance up, expecting the session to be finished, but only Simon emerged.

She quickly asked, "Dr. Moss, how is my husband doing?"

With a regretful sigh, Simon answered, "Evelyn, your husband hasn't opened up to me. That makes the treatment especially difficult. Right now, it's essential that I earn his trust. If I could spend more time with your family, I might gain a better understanding of his situation and his real feelings."

Verena,knowing how guarded Isaac could be, asked for more."Dr. Moss, what would you recommend?"

"I have an unconventional suggestion," Simon replied, deliberately letting a few seconds pass before continuing.

Verena urged him on, "Please, go ahead."

He adopted an apologetic tone. "If you're willing, I'd like to stay at your home for a while. This intensive approach means I'll be close to the patient around the clock. Living together would help me observe his mental state in real time, giving me a chance to understand him and offer more comprehensive care."

Such arrangements weren't ancommon for certain therapies.

From a clinical standpoint, living with the patient allowed for constant observation and timely interventions.

Emotionally, it could build trust and improve communication, which often sped up recovery and led to better results.

Verena considered the idea, but with clear caution. "I'll need to check with Isaac first."

Isaac's comfort and willingness mattered most.

Forcing this arrangement on him would only create more problems.

Simon nodded with a faint, courteous smile."Of course."

That ended the session for the day. Back in the hospital room, Verena relayed Simon's proposal to Isaac.

Isaac didn't say yes or no. Instead, he looked right at Verena and said quietly, "That man is hostile toward me."

It took Verena a few seconds to piece together who he was referring to, and a frown crossed her face.

"Are you saying Dr. Moss has something against you?" she asked, a note of uncertainty in her voice. "Did something happen between you two before?"

Isaac gave a firm shake of his head. "No."

Trying to reassure him, Verena smiled and gently cupped his face in her hands. "Maybe you're reading into things too much. Dr. Moss went through every step of our vetting process, my assistant double-checked all his qualifications, and everything checked out. He's highly respected in his field. Maybe it's just your nerves making you extra cautious?"

Still, Isaac couldn't shake his gut feeling. "I've never crossed paths with him before. But I'm telling you,there's something about him. Maybe it has to do with you. Verena, sometimes a man can sense another man's true intentions."

From the first moment he had met Simon, Isaac sensed an undercurrent of animosity.

He became even more certain when he caught that quick, assessing look Simon gave his legs during their session.

Verena sat up straighter, sifting through her memories as she tried to recall any meeting with Simon.

After a few moments, she shook her head. "I can't think of any past interactions with him. We only met at his interview. I kept my identity private until I treated Maxton, and I hardly ever appear in public. Even if he admired my work, that wouldn't explain any hostility toward you, would it?"

Isaac lifted his gaze to her, a faint crease in his brow. "Verena, do you doubt my judgment?"

Verena dropped her eyes and grew quiet.

Even if it seemed far-fetched for Simon to have a grudge, she couldn't ignore how uncomfortable Isaac felt. It wasn't normal for a patient to put up walls with a psychologist right from the start.

Maybe his suspicion was justified.

She pulled herself together, noticing the troubled look on Isaac's face.

With a gentle touch, she rested her hand on his shoulder and leaned in to whisper,"Don't look so worried.You're my husband, and I trust your judgment most. I'll quietly dig into his background and find you another doctor if you want. How does that sound?"

Her quiet promise soothed him, and Isaac's expression softened, his lips curving into a genuine smile.