Page 35 of Overdosed: Her Dark Side
I settled onto an elegant white couch. My head tilted as I narrowed my eyes at the Afro-American woman in her mid-forties whose resemblance to Oprah was uncanny. She adjusted her glasses on her nose, her knees crossed, and her elbow rested on the padded armrest of a brown chair. Her deep blue blazer over her white shirt matched the colors of the walls.
“You unconsciously behave defensively when you feel threatened. It’s an attachment style that you developed during your childhood, and in your case, it’s anxious-preoccupied.”
“Meaning?” I leaned forward.
“You’re constantly questioning whether you’re loved, whether the relationship is genuine, and whether your partner will stay true or betray you. You’re on constant watch for signs that things might not be what they seem, and it makes you more likely to react to words and actions more strongly than most people would.”
Yep, that would be me.
“I also see you as a fearful-avoidant daughter who actually wants connection, but she’s simply too afraid of what might happen,” she continued. “Women identified with this disorder distance themselves, are self-protective, and quick to flee.”
Helen, the therapist, elaborated on the syndrome, dwelling deeper into my life and explaining how my parents’ relationship with each other, as well as with me, affected my mental health and my perception of potential relationships. I couldn’t deny I was anxious and overwhelmed, but she reassured me there was still hope for me and that I could heal. I knew I would have to be committed and put much work into fixing my issues, but I was determined.
After all, the only person who can alter life is oneself, and the mind holds the key.
The sleek elevator at Vergoossen Enterprises Holdings ascended smoothly to the top floor, and as the doors parted with a soft beep, my eyes locked with Anders. A shiver raced down my spine, but I steeled myself, taking a hesitant step forward as I exited the elevator.
Anders leaned against the wall, a calculated smirk curling his lips.
“Nice to see you, babe. You don’t answer my texts or calls. If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve assumed you were avoiding me,” he remarked with a tone that sent chills down my spine.
I tucked my hair behind my ear, my eyes traveling across his face. “I’m not interested in these games anymore, Anders.”
He scoffed, closing the distance and cornering me against the wall. “These are no games, Melanie,” he retorted, his tone firm. “You signed a legal contract obligating you to marry me. Don’t forget the consequences if you breach that agreement.”
“The agreement is null and void.” My eyes narrowed, and a steely glimmer replaced the unease in my eyes. “I was supposed to marry you so that you could get your twisted revenge against your brother and take over the companies. In return, Shane was never supposed to find out about Hope’s existence. Now that he knows the truth, now that I know the truth, the contract is terminated.”
Anders didn’t react the way I expected. My words did nothing to him. Instead, he scoffed, leaning forward. “You didn’t read the fine print, did you?”
“What do you mean?”
“It stated that you have to fulfill the obligations, regardless of circumstances that might arise. I always cover myself, Melanie.” His fingers gripped my chin, and he whispered into my ear, “You’re still my fiancée, whether you like it or not.” His lips brushed against mine. I felt trapped when I suddenly saw a hand on Anders’ shoulder, and he was pulled away from me. Shane.
“Touch her again and I’ll put a fucking bullet in your head,” he hissed, his eyes blazing with anger. “You’ve done enough shit to me to forget the blood ties.”
Anders stumbled back, his smirk replaced with a scowl. “Well, look who’s here to play hero,” he sneered.
Shane stood tall. “Stay away from her, Anders. This ends now.”
Anders took measured steps toward Shane, a contemptuous smirk on his face. Their gazes locked. “You know, Shane,” Anders scoffed as he said, “I can’t help it that my fiancée turns me on. It’s not like I haven’t touched her like this before.”
My throat tightened with unease, my eyes flickering between the two men. I knew Anders was playing mind games, and it was working. Shane’s jaw clenched, and a swift shake of his head signaled the storm brewing within him. Shane suddenly threw a forceful punch, hitting Anders square in the face. Blood splattered across the marble floor, and a loud gasp escaped my mouth, my eyes fixed on the violent scene before me, petrified by the unfolding confrontation.
Anders straightened up, wiping the blood from his lips with a smirk.
“You deserve more than just a punch. I know everything, Anders,” Shane declared, a controlled rage in his eyes.
With a sinister grin, Anders taunted, “The good girl here has already spilled the beans, hasn’t she?” He gave me a fleeting glance, and I knew it was just a small strike of lightening before a massive storm. “Did she mention our little make-out session, completely naked? If you hadn’t interrupted, we would’ve fucked.”
Shane grabbed Anders by his blood-splattered collar and shoved him against the wall, his tone halfway a threat, halfway a warning, “See, you forgot one thing. I’m not a fucking hero. I am the villain. You should be scared of me, brother.” Shane’s fist clenched on the collar as he leaned closer, hissing in a dangerously low tone, “Stay away from my family, or I’ll forget all the reasons, the rules, and deal with you like I should’ve already.”
My heart was racing like that of a hummingbird. I was expecting the worst. I was scared they would kill one another any minute now, but to my relief, Shane released his grip, giving Anders one last deadly glance before he steadily walked toward me, held my hand, and led me toward his office.
“It’s not over yet. It’s just the beginning, brother.” Anders’ bitter tone reached my ears, sending chills down my spine. Shane remained unfazed, guiding me to his office, and closing the door with a loud thud.
“Now tell me everything, Melanie.” Shane’s eyes bored into mine, with an intensity I’d never seen before. “Tell me everything from the beginning. I want to know it all. How the hell did you get involved with my brother? How did you end up being his fiancée?” His tone was dark.
I ran my hands through my hair before I walked over to Shane’s oak desk, resting against it. My eyes fixated on the sprawling Manhattan skyline beyond the massive window. “It was nearly three years of attempting to build a life away from the shadows of my past. The shadows of the Vergoossen family. The shadows of you, Shane…” I began. “One day after I was heading back from work, I spotted Anders in one of the local cafés. He was just casually sipping his coffee. I couldn’t believe my eyes. In an instant, panic surged through me. Then our gazes met, and I was terrified. I started running to the house I was renting as fast as possible. He followed, and along with him, four or more of his men, all dressed in black suits, chasing me.” My mind drifted back to that day a couple of months ago.
