Diana is already dealing with depression when she witnesses her worst nightmare—she sees her husband kissing her sister. She seeks the help of her therapist, Dr. Carrey. But what looked like a normal therapy session whispers horrors when Dr. Carrey finds a chilling detail on Diana’s phone.
The moment Diana stepped into the house, a mix of hushed tones and giggles leaked from the bathroom, sending a shiver down her spine.
“Evie, you’re just… stunning, far more than your sister…” her husband Hamilton’s voice faded, but the words hung heavy in the air.
Diana peered through the door crack, only to catch a glimpse of the heartbreaking reflection of her husband and sister locking lips on the bathroom mirror.
She could feel her fragile heart crack… and her marriage fall apart in that instant…
Diana’s entry was anything but quiet. The door slammed against the wall, echoing the tumult in her heart.
“Hamilton! What in God’s name is this? Get out here, this instant! I saw you two kissing,” her voice, sharp and commanding, sliced through the silence.
Behind the ajar bathroom door, Hamilton and Evie’s hearts raced.
One could see it in their eyes—the dread of getting caught.
The sound of Diana’s stilettos on the hardwood floor grew louder, each step a thunderclap of impending reckoning.
Hamilton’s voice was shaky, a weak attempt at deflection as he hurried out of the bathroom and stood in Diana’s way. “Diana, darling, you’re misunderstanding. It’s not what you—”
But Diana cut him off, her voice laced with scorn. “Don’t you dare! I heard you. And saw you two kissing. Hey, show yourself! You can’t hide anymore. Evie… come out. NOW!”
In a moment of desperation, Evie plunged into the bubble bath, the frothy bubbles cloaking her in a fleeting sanctuary.
Hamilton was trapped. Dread coursed through him as he feigned innocence.
“Diana, let’s not jump to conclusions,” he stammered. “There’s no one in here. What kiss? God, how could you… how could you even think I was cheating on you with your sister?”
“Conclusions? After what I just heard and saw?” Diana’s laugh was hollow, her fury barely contained. “You’re unbelievable, Hamilton.”
Diana’s gaze, piercing and accusing, sought the truth, while Hamilton’s every gesture was that of a deer caught in headlights.
His forehead glistened with sweat, betraying his feigned composure. “Why are you doing this, Diana?” he ventured before she could sidle past him into the bathroom.
“This happens every single time you come home after visiting your therapist. You need to stop this. This is getting crazier day by day. Please stop doing this to yourself… and to me.”
“Cut it! Where is she?” Diana’s demand was sharp, her eyes scanning for truths untold. “Evie, come out now.”
But when she entered the bathroom, there were no signs of Evie.
“What on earth? Diana, are you out of your mind? Why would your sister be here… with me?” Hamilton feigned ignorance, but his act was thin.
“Stop playing dumb, Hamilton! Just admit it!” Diana seethed, her patience wearing thin with each fleeting second. “I long suspected you were hitting on my sister behind my back. And today, I saw what you two were doing with my own eyes.”
Hamilton clung to his pretense, his composure a stark contrast to the storm brewing in Diana’s eyes.
“Diana, you’re seeing things. There’s nothing… it’s all in your head.”
But Diana was past listening. With a whirl of anger, she stormed across the bedroom to check.
Hamilton chased after her, desperation lacing his words. “You’re not yourself, Diana! I’ve barely walked in from work! I just wanted to relax in the bathtub. You told me you’d be coming late after your appointment.”
Diana’s search was frantic, her hands trembling as she flung open the long curtains, her heart racing. “Where is she? Where have you hidden her?”
She checked the closet and under the bed. But found nothing.
“You’re gonna find nothing, Diana. Because there’s no one in here other than you and me. It’s just us, goddammit!” Hamilton exclaimed.
“No, I saw her. And you. Locking lips. I saw it,” Diana spoke in broken sentences.
Hamilton’s frustration boiled over. “What the—? Evie and me… kissing? Ridiculous! How could you even… wait, have you forgotten your meds again, Diana? Because you’re not making any sense!”
His accusation struck a nerve. Diana froze, her anger dissolving into confusion, tears brimming but not quite falling as she slowly turned to face him.
Hamilton softened, his voice laced with regret as he inched closer and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Diana. I didn’t mean to hurt you… I’m worried about you.”
“Ham, I… I’m so sorry. Guess you’re right. I think I’m worked up,” Diana apologized. “I don’t know what’s happening to me. I’m seeing things. I don’t know what’s real and what isn’t. I thought I saw you and Evie in the bathroom.”
“Listen, honey, calm down, okay? It’s alright. You need rest,” Hamilton gently squeezed her shoulders and gazed into her eyes.
Just as Diana’s defenses wavered, a splash from the bathroom sliced through the silence, reigniting her fury.
Hamilton paled, the color draining from his face as Diana’s gaze turned steely, her stride purposeful towards the bathroom once more.
“Diana, please, think about what you’re doing!” Hamilton frantically pleaded, his eyes wide with fear. “Going in there won’t do any good. Please stop. Come back.”
But Diana’s resolve was unshakable. With a determined push, she swung the bathroom door open, her breath catching at the sight that greeted her.
The bathtub lay serene, its surface undisturbed with no ripples, a stark contrast to the turmoil in her heart. She had expected to see Evie, but no one was there.
“How…?” Diana’s voice trailed off, her mind racing to piece together the puzzle. “I heard it… someone was here. I heard the water splash.”
Hamilton, hovering at the doorway, craned his neck, scanning the room for any sign of Evie. A silent sigh of relief escaped him as he found none.
“Diana, there’s no one here. See? You’re just imagining things.”
Diana’s shoulders slumped, the weight of her accusations and the reality before her eyes colliding.
“I… I’m sorry, Hamilton. I don’t know what got into me. I’ve just been so tired lately.”
Hamilton stepped closer, his voice softening. “We all get tired, Diana. But this… this is unlike you. It’s just getting worse day by day. You need to rest… and relax. Remember what the doc said? You need to stop thinking about what happened that night.”
Diana turned away, the embarrassment coloring her cheeks as she sighed. “I just thought… I was so sure. Anyway, let me just—”
Hamilton reached out, his hand hesitating in the air before resting gently on her shoulder. “Let’s just forget this happened, okay? We can talk about what’s really bothering you.”
Diana nodded, confusion and guilt swirling within her. “I… yes, we should talk. I’m sorry, honey.”
As Diana turned back to face him, the lingering doubt in her eyes spoke volumes, the unresolved tension hanging between them like a delicate, unspoken truth.
“Diana, this is tearing you apart. It’s not your fault,” Hamilton said.
Diana’s eyes brimmed with tears, her emotions teetering on the edge.
“I just… I keep feeling like I’m losing my mind,” she whispered, the vulnerability in her voice evident.
“I love you. But I don’t understand what’s wrong with me… and why I’m getting this strange feeling of losing you to someone. And that someone might be my own sister.”
Hamilton watched her, his heart aching at her distress. “You’re stronger than you think, Diana. Don’t let these shadows win. I love you.”
As Diana fought to steady her breathing, a faint cry echoed in her mind, a sound so heartbreakingly familiar.
She closed her eyes, envisioning a serene scene — a tiny baby cradled in her arms, their bond unspoken but deeply felt.
“I can hear it. The baby. She’s… she’s crying. I can—” Diana zoned out as she whispered.
Hamilton’s voice broke through her reverie. “Hey, why don’t you take a bath? Relax a little. I’ll make this evening special for us, okay?”
Diana snapped to the moment and managed a weak smile, nodding as Hamilton retreated, his own glance backward revealing his lingering fears.
As soon as she stepped inside the bathroom, Diana’s gaze fell upon the shower door. The shimmery words ‘Kiss me!’ written with intimate familiarity on the fogged glass caught her attention.
Her heart sank, a cold realization washing over her.
“If she wasn’t really here, then who wrote this? It’s her handwriting… my sister’s…”
“Diana?” Hamilton’s voice called from afar, the clink of glass and the soft flicker of candlelight trailing behind him.
“Hamilton… what’s going on?” Diana’s voice was barely a whisper, her eyes fixed on the haunting message and then on her husband, her suspicion reigniting.
Hamilton paused, the warmth of the candles in his hands belied by the chill settling in his heart. “What do you mean?”
Diana turned, the accusation clear in her eyes. “This… message. It’s her handwriting, isn’t it?”
Hamilton’s silence was deafening, the gap between them widening with each passing second.
“What message?” he asked.
When Diana pointed to the fogged glass door, the writing was gone.
“Babe, there’s nothing there. God, how often do I have to tell you? I love you, okay? Stop suspecting me. I really love you… and I mean it. Now, why don’t you relax and take a bath? I got your favorite bath bombs!” Hamilton added, kissing Diana on the cheek as he led her to the bathtub.
***
The following day, Diana found herself sitting across from her therapist in his office.
She was unnerved and anxious as she shifted uncomfortably in the plush chair, her eyes tracing the patterns on the floor before meeting Dr. Carrey’s gaze.
“I think… I think Hamilton might be cheating on me,” she confessed, the words heavy with fear and uncertainty.
“I saw it with my own eyes. But I’m not able to prove it yet. Not sure what went wrong. But my eyes weren’t deceiving me.”
Dr. Carrey set his pen down, leaning forward slightly. “Is that thought bothering you a lot, Diana?”
She scoffed, a mixture of frustration and disbelief coloring her tone. “Isn’t it obvious? It’s like a constant echo in my head, driving me insane. I love my husband, but he’s seeing someone else behind my back.”
Dr. Carrey nodded, acknowledging her turmoil. “And who do you suspect might be involved with Hamilton?”
“It’s… I think it’s my sister, Evie,” Diana admitted, her voice a whisper, as if saying it louder might make it more real.
Dr. Carrey paused, his pen hovering over the notepad. “Are you certain of this, Diana? That’s a serious accusation. Did you really see your sister with your husband?”
Diana’s hands clenched in her lap, her nails digging into her palms.
“I’m not entirely sure, but there are signs. Like… like her handwriting on our shower door that suddenly vanished… and her perfume lingering in our room. And Hamilton, he’s been acting so strange, always whispering on the phone, then hanging up the moment I walk in. Aren’t these red flags enough? To make me realize my marriage is falling apart and taken over by my own sister?”
The room was steeped in a heavy silence, the weight of Diana’s fears and suspicions filling the space between them. Dr. Carrey’s gaze was steady, seeking to pierce through the layers of doubt and fear clouding her judgment.
He leaned back, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and curiosity. “That’s quite intriguing, Diana. Anything else on your mind that you’d like to discuss?”
Diana’s gaze drifted, lost in a far-off memory. “I keep hearing this… sound. Like a baby crying in the rain… on the road. It’s unsettling. Keeps haunting me,” her voice trembled.
“A baby? Are you keeping up with your medication?” Dr. Carrey’s voice was gentle, encouraging her to be honest.
Diana nodded, her hands fidgeting in her lap. “Yes, every day. And I’ve invited Evie over for dinner. I thought seeing her and Hamilton together might… might clarify things for me.”
Dr. Carrey’s eyebrows knitted together in concern. “You’re planning a dinner with Evie? Tonight?”
“Yes,” Diana confirmed, a flicker of hope in her eyes. “I sent her a message this morning. She replied she’d come.”
Dr. Carrey’s expression turned thoughtful, a hint of skepticism in his gaze. “Diana, could you show me that text? The one to your sister?”
With a hesitant hand, Diana retrieved her phone, her fingers scrolling through the messages before handing it over to Dr. Carrey.
As he read the messages one by one, his eyes not leaving the screen, Diana watched him, searching for a sign, any indication of what he was thinking.
“Diana, this dinner… What are you hoping to find out?” Dr. Carrey’s question was pointed, aimed at understanding the depth of her suspicions.
“I just need to know if I’m imagining things or if there’s really something going on between them,” Diana replied, her voice laced with desperation and hope.
Dr. Carrey’s eyebrows furrowed as he read the string of texts, his expression morphing from intrigue to shock. “These messages… you sent them to your sister? Are you sure?” he murmured, more to himself than to Diana.
Diana clasped her hands tightly. “Yes. Hamilton and I, we’ve had twelve good years, Doctor. It was all perfect until Evie came to the city. Had I known my own sister would try to steal my husband, I would’ve taken Hamilton somewhere far away…”
Dr. Carrey maintained his thoughtful demeanor, his eyes shifting between the phone screen and Diana’s anxious face.
“You believe in Hamilton, yet these doubts persist,” he noted, encouraging her to explore her feelings further.
Diana’s eyes wavered, a storm of emotions brewing within. “I do trust him. It’s just that… sometimes, I wonder if it’s all in my head. These suspicions, they haunt me. I’m unable to be peaceful.”
“Admitting there’s a problem is the first step, Diana,” Dr. Carrey reassured her, his voice steady and calming. “Now, about these strange sounds you’ve mentioned—this baby crying—how often do they occur?”
Diana looked away, lost in thought. “I can’t really say. It’s sporadic… when I’m alone, or even when Hamilton’s with me.”
Dr. Carrey leaned forward, offering a comforting smile. “It’s important to confront these feelings, not let them fester. We’ll work through this together, okay.”
Diana nodded, a tentative smile crossing her lips as she stood to leave. “Thank you, Doctor. I feel a bit lighter already. I need to get home early to prepare for the dinner.”
But as the door closed behind her, Dr. Carrey’s gaze lingered on the empty chair, his mind racing with the implications of their conversation.
“This is just the surface,” he whispered to the silent room.
***
The dining room in Diana’s suburb home glowed brightly as aromatic dishes adorned the table that night.
She watched silently as Hamilton and Evie exchanged jokes and laughter over the dinner she had prepared. The lightness of their conversation contrasted sharply with the growing heaviness in her heart.
“Evie, that new role of yours, it’s quite the leap. Must be your sharp skills that clinched it,” Hamilton spoke, his tone admiring, his gaze lingering a little too long.
Evie, basking in the attention, shot back playfully, “Oh, and here I thought you’d offer me a position in your empire, Hamilton. But I suppose family and business don’t mix, right?”
Hamilton chuckled, leaning forward with a twinkle in his eye. “Actually, I’ve been thinking about bringing in a new secretary, someone to keep things running smoothly, especially with all the travel coming up. What do you think, Evie? Fancy jet-setting around the globe?”
Diana’s fork paused mid-air as she watched the exchange, the artichoke salad suddenly tasteless.
“More than perfect, huh?” she murmured under her breath, the words laced with a bitterness that went unnoticed.
Hamilton, perhaps sensing the shift in mood, turned to Diana with an exaggerated compliment. “This salad is fantastic, honey. You’ve outdone yourself.”
Evie echoed the sentiment, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “Absolutely, sis. You always know how to make a meal special.”
But Diana’s patience had worn thin. With a forced smile, she pushed her chair back, her voice steady and calm.
“I’m glad you both enjoyed it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a little surprise.”
As she stood, the puzzled looks from Hamilton and Evie followed her, their previous mirth replaced by a growing unease.
As Diana stepped away, Hamilton leaned in, his voice a low murmur. “You’re wearing that perfume again. It’s intoxicating. I can keep smelling you all day, babe!”
Evie’s eyes darted around before settling on Hamilton with a playful yet cautious glare. “Keep it down, will you? Walls, especially in this house, tend to have ears. And you have the nerve to flirt with me right under my sister’s nose!”
Hamilton’s laugh was a mix of nervousness and charm. “I’ll be your chauffeur tonight, Evie. Just wait… the backseat of my car has stories to tell…”
A flush crept up Evie’s cheeks, her response cut short as the room suddenly plunged into darkness. The brief blackout left an eerie stillness, a momentary pause in their covert exchange.
When the lights flickered back to life, Diana was there, her presence commanding, a bottle of expensive Masseto Toscana in hand. The sudden illumination cast long shadows, mirroring the hidden depths of the evening’s charade.
Hamilton, caught off guard by the opulence of the wine, couldn’t hide his astonishment. “Diana, this… How did you get this bottle? It’s really expensive.”
Diana’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’ve been saving it for a special occasion, honey. What better night than this, surrounded by those closest to me?”
Her words, laced with unspoken meaning, hung heavy in the air.
Evie shifted uncomfortably, her earlier bravado fading in the face of Diana’s enigmatic demeanor.
“Tonight’s about celebrating,” Diana continued, her tone light but her gaze piercing. “To family, to love, and to… surprises.”
With practiced ease, Hamilton uncorked the wine, the sound resonating in the tense atmosphere. He filled the glasses, the rich, dark wine promising more than just a sip of luxury.
Diana raised her glass, her voice steady yet layered with emotion. “I’d like to propose a toast. To family ties, the ones that bind us, for better or worse.”
Hamilton and Evie were perplexed. “Family ties?” Hamilton echoed, his eyebrow quirked in bemusement. “And what brings that on?”
Evie, trying to catch up with the sudden shift, offered a puzzled smile. “Yes, Diana, do tell. It’s not often we toast to something so… formal.”
Diana’s gaze swept over them, her smile tinged with a sadness only she understood. “It’s just that I’ve been thinking about how much you both mean to me, especially now, as I navigate through my… difficulties.”
Hamilton’s response was automatic, the warmth in his voice failing to mask the underlying tension. “That’s what family is for, darling. We’re here for you, always.”
The sound of clinking glasses filled the room, a hollow symphony to the impending nightmare. Hamilton praised the wine’s unique flavor, oblivious to the storm brewing in Diana’s eyes.
“Uhm, nice. Amazing. This wine has such a unique flavor, don’t you think?” he turned to Evie.
Evie, too, chimed in, her words echoing Hamilton’s sentiment, unaware of the precipice they teetered on. “Yeah, this wine tastes really unique.”
Meanwhile, Diana quietly set her untouched glass down. “Yes, it’s quite the blend,” she declared, her calm demeanor slipping away.
“A perfect metaphor, really, for how seamlessly deceit can be masked under the guise of familial love.”
Hamilton and Evie froze, their expressions a tableau of shock and disbelief, the remnants of their laughter dying in their throats.
Hamilton, his hand trembling slightly, poured himself another glass, the wine’s deep red a stark contrast to the growing pallor of his face.
“Diana, what are you implying?” he asked.
Diana’s laugh was cold, devoid of any real humor. “Oh, Hamilton, did you take me for a fool? Did you think I wouldn’t notice? The whispers, the lies, all under my own roof!”
Hamilton set his glass down with a clatter, his gaze fixed on Diana. “Accusations require proof, Diana. What proof could you possibly have? What exactly are you talking about?”
“The bathroom mirror, Hamilton,” Diana spat out, her voice laced with venom.
“Your secret messages in the steam, your laughter echoing through the halls. The intoxicating smell of her perfume. And let’s not forget the intimate moment I witnessed upon returning from yet another session meant to ‘cure’ my paranoia. I saw it all. I wasn’t hallucinating. And I know it.”
Evie, who had been silent, finally found her voice as she began coughing. “Diana, what have you done? What did you add to the wine?”
Diana’s response was a chilling laughter. “Oh, Evie, didn’t the wine taste peculiar to you? A special blend, just for the two of you. Merlot with a hint of… let’s call it, retribution. Cyanide, perhaps!”
Hamilton’s and Evie’s eyes widened in horror as the implication of her words sank in. Coughs wracked their bodies, the poison coursing through their veins.
“Diana, this… this is madness!” Hamilton gasped as he staggered towards the bathroom.
Diana’s smile was twisted, a dark satisfaction in her eyes. “Madness? No, Hamilton. This is justice. And don’t bother with the phones to call 911. You won’t find them.”
“Diana, what did you—” Evie sprang to her feet and raced to the guest bathroom, coughing and spitting crimson.
The muffled sounds of distress from the bathroom clashed with the eerie silence of the dining room, where Diana sat and continued eating her artichoke salad, her emotions a whirlwind of satisfaction and sorrow.
Then, she heard it again — the faint crying sound of a baby. A throbbing pain shot up Diana’s temples. And it did little to diffuse the haunting sounds from the bathroom.
Clutching her heart, Diana whispered to the void, her voice laced with a heart-wrenching mix of resolve and regret. “Don’t worry, my baby… my love. Justice… justice is served. They got what they deserved.”
As she forked another piece of the salad, tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” Diana murmured to the empty chairs. “This was the only way… to make things right. To cleanse the betrayal.”
Memories of Hamilton’s laughter, and the warmth of his touch, flashed before her, a painful reminder of what they once shared.
In a sudden flurry of motion, Diana stood, her chair scraping against the floor, and made her way to the kitchen with a haunted determination.
Her hands trembled as she reached for an empty wine glass, only for it to slip through her fingers and crash against the sink.
The breaking glass jolted her back to reality, the gravity of her actions crashing down on her.
“What have I done?” she gasped, her panic rising like a tidal wave.
Frantically, Diana stepped aside and dialed 911, her voice a mix of urgency and despair. “Please, you have to hurry. I’ve… I’ve made a terrible mistake. My husband and sister, they—”
Without missing a beat, she then called Dr. Carrey, her voice cracking under the weight of her actions. “Dr. Carrey, it’s Diana. I need you… something terrible has happened.”
“Diana, what happened? I was just about to call you to find out if everything’s okay. You sound terrified,” Dr. Carrey’s voice was a blend of concern and alarm over the phone.
Through sobs, Diana managed to articulate her despair. “I’ve done something unforgivable, Doctor. Hamilton and Evie… I poisoned them. It’s over. I’m going to turn myself in.”
Dr. Carrey’s response was immediate and firm. “Diana, stop! This is your anxiety speaking. Let’s not make any rash decisions. I’m coming over right now.”
But Diana was inconsolable. “No, you don’t understand! It’s too late for help. They’re… they’re gone because of me.”
“Listen to me, Diana. I’m on my way. Do not call the police yet. We need to talk,” Dr. Carrey insisted, his voice a steadying force against the tide of her panic.
Reluctantly, Diana agreed and ended the call, her hands shaking as she pocketed her phone. She moved in a daze towards the main bathroom, her heart heavy with dread.
Opening the door, she was met with the harrowing sight of Hamilton, lifeless and still. A guttural cry escaped her as she stumbled backward, slamming the door shut in a desperate attempt to escape the reality she had created.
Her grief-stricken form hurried to the guest bathroom, where another wave of agony awaited her. Evie lay motionless, a sight that tore another scream from Diana’s lips.
With trembling hands, she closed the door, each thud echoing her despair.
Diana collapsed into the living room, her body wracked with sobs, the enormity of her actions enveloping her in a suffocating embrace of guilt and sorrow.
As Dr. Carrey stepped into the dimly lit foyer ten minutes later, a chilling silence enveloped him. Flicking the switch, the light revealed Diana’s crumpled form on the floor, her eyes wide with terror.
“Diana, talk to me. What happened?” Dr. Carrey’s voice was steady, trying to pierce through her hysteria.
“I did it… It’s all my fault. Hamilton, Evie… they’re gone. I killed them,” Diana’s words tumbled out in a frantic whisper, her gaze distant and haunted.
Dr. Carrey knelt beside her, his professional calm battling the shock of her confession. “You need to breathe, Diana. Tell me everything, slowly.”
But Diana was caught in a storm of her own making. “I couldn’t bear the betrayal… I thought… I thought if they were gone, the pain would stop,” she sobbed, the confession tearing through her.
With a gentle yet firm hand, Dr. Carrey brushed a strand of hair from her face. “Diana, look at me. There’s no one here. No Hamilton, no Evie. It’s just you and me. Does that make any sense to you?”
Her tears flowed freely, as fragmented memories of solitary dinners and whispered toasts to an empty room began to surface. “But I saw them… I spoke to them… How could they not be here?”
Dr. Carrey’s gaze softened, the reality of Diana’s delusions becoming painfully clear. “You’ve been alone, Diana… for two years. The mind can create vivid realities, especially under stress. You haven’t harmed anyone. It’s the grief… it’s playing tricks on you.”
Diana’s sobs grew quieter, her mind grappling with the duality of her perceived reality and the stark, lonely truth Dr. Carrey laid before her.
“Dr. Carrey, you have to believe me. They were here! We shared a meal, we talked, we toasted… I poisoned them!” Diana’s voice was a crescendo of despair, her tears streaming uncontrollably.
Dr. Carrey, maintaining a facade of calm amidst the storm of Diana’s breakdown, gently took her phone and scrolled through the messages.
“Look, Diana, these messages you showed me earlier today… they’re all sent to yourself. There’s no response from Evie. You’ve texted yourself, thinking you were chatting with your sister.”
Diana shook her head vehemently, refusing to accept the words. “No, that can’t be! She replied… she was here with me. I saw her. She was wearing her favorite black dress and—”
With a sigh, Dr. Carrey pressed on, his voice a mixture of sympathy and firmness. “Stop. Diana, think about it. If Hamilton and Evie were really here, why would there be no trace of them now? Why would your messages go unanswered?”
“But I saw them, I talked to them, we toasted… to family ties,” Diana insisted, her voice breaking under the weight of her own narrative.
Dr. Carrey leaned in closer. “Diana, you need to confront the truth. Hamilton and Evie… they passed away two years ago. Do you remember what had happened that night?”
The room seemed to contract around Diana, her breaths coming in sharp gasps as fragments of memory began to pierce the veil of her denial.
“Diana, you’ve been living in a world shaped by your grief. It’s time to face the painful truth and start the healing process,” Dr. Carrey implored, his voice a beacon trying to guide Diana back from the edge of her own mind.
Dr. Carrey’s voice took on a somber tone as he began to recount the tragic events of that fateful night, his words painting a vivid picture in Diana’s mind.
“Two years ago, Diana, you were all in the car after a lovely dinner at that fancy restaurant you both liked. Hamilton had initially offered to drive, but you insisted it was your turn.” Dr. Carrey’s voice was measured, each word a brushstroke on the canvas of her memory.
Diana’s eyes welled up with tears as the memories flooded back. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper, “I remember…”
Dr. Carrey continued, “And then, out of nowhere, that speeding truck… it crashed into your car with such force. The impact was… devastating.”
Diana closed her eyes, trying to shut out the images that were resurfacing. She could almost feel the jolt, the deafening sound of the collision, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness as she lay sprawled on the road.
“As the car crumpled,” Dr. Carrey continued, “you were thrown out onto the road. When you regained consciousness, you saw… you saw Hamilton and Evie… they were dead.”
Diana’s breath hitched as she recalled the horrifying sight of her husband and sister lying lifeless on the cold asphalt, their lives cut short in an instant.
Tears streamed down her face as she choked on her own guilt. “I couldn’t save them… I killed them.”
Dr. Carrey leaned in closer, his voice gentle but firm. “Diana, you were the sole survivor of that accident. It wasn’t your fault. It was a tragic accident.”
Diana’s voice trembled as she whispered, “But I was driving… I killed them. I should have listened to Hamilton when he…”
Dr. Carrey interrupted, “You should have done nothing. It was not your fault. Accidents happen, and you are not to blame. And remember, Diana, you lost something precious too. You were four months pregnant at the time, and you lost your baby.”
Diana’s heart ached at the mention of her lost child, a wound that had never truly healed. The weight of her grief and guilt had pushed her into a world of delusion.
“It’s time to let go of this burden, Diana,” Dr. Carrey said softly. “It’s time to heal. To move on.”
The room seemed to hold its breath as Diana grappled with the truth, the past and present colliding in a tumultuous whirlwind of emotions.
Dr. Carrey’s words pierced through the haze of guilt and delusion that had consumed Diana for two long years. She listened intently, her tear-filled eyes fixed on him, as he unraveled the painful truth she had been unable to face.
“For two years, Diana,” Dr. Carrey added, his voice steady but compassionate, “you’ve been carrying the weight of guilt, blaming yourself for something that wasn’t your fault.”
Diana nodded, her voice a mere whisper, “I couldn’t save them…”
Dr. Carrey leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers, “You’ve been searching for a reason, any reason, to justify their deaths in your mind. You believed they were having an affair, that they had betrayed you. So you could take revenge… and kill them.”
Diana’s trembling hands clenched the edges of her seat. Dr. Carrey sighed softly, “Diana, you’ve been experiencing hallucinations, creating a false reality to cope with your grief and guilt. You’ve created an imaginary world for yourself. It’s time to snap out of it.”
Diana’s breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t deny the moments when she had seen Hamilton and Evie together, laughing, and kissing. Those vivid scenes had tormented her.
And now, she realized those were mere hallucinations… just imaginary reasons to escape her guilt of their accidental deaths two years ago.
Dr. Carrey continued, “Look at your phone’s call history, Diana.” He held out her phone, showing her the evidence. “You never called an ambulance tonight. You only reached out to me, fearing you had committed a terrible crime.”
Diana’s heart sank as she stared at her call history, the truth staring back at her. She had never intended to harm her husband and sister; she had only believed she had.
Tears streamed down her face as the weight of her self-imposed guilt began to lift. “I… I thought I killed them.”
Dr. Carrey’s voice was gentle and soothing, “You can’t kill someone who’s already dead. What happened that night, Diana, was a tragic accident. It was not your fault. You didn’t kill them.”
Diana’s sobs echoed in the room, a mix of relief, grief, and a painful acceptance of the truth. For the first time in two years, she allowed herself to believe that she was not a murderer, and the burden she had carried began to ease.
Dr. Carrey sat beside Diana, offering a comforting presence as she continued to sob. He knew that letting go of the imaginary guilt and pain she had carried for two years was a crucial step in her healing process.
Diana’s tears flowed freely as she nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of her emotions. Dr. Carrey reached for his phone and showed her the photos of Hamilton’s and Evie’s graves, the years of their deaths clearly marked as 2019.
“Diana,” he said gently, “I know it’s hard, but it’s essential to accept the loss and move forward. The infidelity, the murder, all of it was a fictional product of your grief and guilt.”
Diana’s gasp of realization turned into heart-wrenching sobs. She clung to Dr. Carrey, finding solace in his presence as the truth sank in. Her husband and sister were gone, and it was time to let go of the imagined sins that had tormented her.
***
A year passed, and Diana found herself back in Dr. Carrey’s office.
This time, the weight that had burdened her for so long was noticeably lighter. Her eyes once filled with grief, now held a glimmer of hope.
“Diana,” Dr. Carrey said with a warm smile, “it’s good to see you again. How have you been?”
Diana returned the smile, her voice steady as she replied, “I feel better, Dr. Carrey. I’ve been learning to live again, to honor their memory without the guilt.”
Dr. Carrey nodded, proud of the progress she had made. “That’s wonderful to hear. Remember, healing takes time, and it’s okay to seek support whenever you need it.”
Diana’s eyes sparkled with gratitude as she replied, “Thank you, Dr. Carrey. You’ve been my guiding light through the darkest of times.”
Dr. Carrey couldn’t help but notice Diana’s newfound confidence and radiant smile. He admired her new hairdo and couldn’t resist complimenting her.
“Diana, your new hairdo looks really nice,” he said with a warm smile.
Diana chuckled heartily, her laughter filling the room. “Thank you, Dr. Carrey. I love this new change in my life, and it’s not just about the hair.”
Dr. Carrey nodded, pleased to see her transformation. He decided to gently probe to check her emotional well-being and how far she had come in her healing journey.
“So, how has your husband been?” he inquired, watching her closely for her reaction.
Diana’s response was calm and composed, a testament to her progress. “It’s been three years since Hamilton passed away. I’ve not only lost him but also my beloved sister, Evie.”
Dr. Carrey nodded again, convinced that Diana had indeed moved on from the trauma of her past. He expressed his appreciation for her strength and resilience.
“You’ve done exceptionally well, Diana,” he said sincerely. “I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”
Just as their conversation was coming to an end, the office door swung open, and a nurse entered, announcing that Diana’s appointment time had concluded.
Diana gathered her belongings and shared a warm smile with Dr. Carrey. Her newfound confidence radiated, and she seemed perfectly ready to face the world.
“Thank you, Dr. Carrey,” she expressed her gratitude before rising from her chair.
Dr. Carrey returned her smile, genuinely pleased with her progress. “You’re welcome, Diana. Remember, I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
With that, Diana headed towards the door, her curls tucked behind her ears. However, before leaving, she turned back to Dr. Carrey, determination in her eyes.
“I’ll stay in touch, no matter how far I go,” she assured him.
As Diana stepped out of the office, she encountered a stranger holding a baby in his arms.
“Hi,” she greeted him with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Could I hold the baby for a moment?”
The door to Dr. Carrey’s office was still ajar, and he was engrossed in reviewing Diana’s latest reports. However, when he turned to the side, he froze in shock.
Diana was standing alone outside his office and appeared to be cuddling with an invisible baby in her arms.
She smiled as she briefly glanced at Dr. Carrey before walking away with the invisible infant, leaving him with an inexplicable sense of unease that sent shivers down his spine.
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