Reclaiming Lola (Valentino Empire #5) by Kylie Kent

Author:Kylie Kent [Kent, Kylie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

I’ve watched as Lola has withdrawn into herself again over the last couple of days.

“You’re doing the right thing. For you and her,” Stephanie says, breaking me from my thoughts.

“I know. It doesn’t make it any easier to do, though,” I reply, my hand automatically reaching for my suitcase and tugging the zipper closed. I’m leaving this house today, a place that has become more like home than I ever thought it would when I first arrived. I called Neo a few days ago and told him some bullshit story about how I was needed back in Sydney. He’s due to return today with his parents. I need to get off this bloody island.

As much as I don’t want to leave her, I do believe I’m doing what’s best for both of us. I can’t risk my professional reputation by getting involved with my teenaged patient, and I refuse to put Lola’s recovery at stake by involving her in a relationship she’s not ready for. It fucking hurts, though. To admit that I’m not the best person to help her right now.

“You have my number, Stephanie. I want you to call me if anything happens. Anything at all. I want weekly progress reports on how she’s doing,” I tell my colleague.

“Yeah, that’s not happening.” Stephanie laughs. “You and I both know if you’ve still got one foot in the door, you’ll be back here within a few weeks.”

I give her my best glare. I don’t need her to make sense right now. What I need is for her to tell me what I want to hear. That she’ll keep me updated on Lola’s progress.

“You know I’m right, James. I’ve known you a long time. And I understand this is hard. I can see the turmoil in your eyes. But trust me, you called me to help her because you know that I can. Don’t forget that.”

“Don’t take your eyes off her. She may seem fine, then all of a sudden she’s holding a gun to her bloody head. Don’t let her pull that trigger,” I tell her.

“She will be fine.”

Well, at least one of us is certain of that. I’m not so sure she will be. I don’t know that she’ll forgive me for leaving like this. I’ve felt her pulling away for the last few days. She’s been quiet, unsure, and hardly coming out of her room again.

But I can’t leave her like this. I need to say goodbye properly. I need to let her know just how I feel. Even though I’m well aware that I shouldn’t be putting that kind of pressure on Lola. It’s my burden to carry, not hers. I should let her focus on herself, on getting herself better. But I’m weak and I need to talk to her. Even if it’s for the last time.

“I’ll be back,” I tell Stephanie, leaving my colleague in the guest room that will soon be hers. Walking into Lola’s bedroom, I find her sitting at the

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