ned with an expensive wine, surprising Hamilton and Evie. “Let’s toast to family ties,” Diana said, raising her glass.

Evie smiled uncertainly. “Okay, Diana, but why such a formal toast?” Diana smiled sadly.

“It’s just that I’ve been thinking about how much you both mean to me, especially now, as I navigate through my… difficulties.”

“That’s what family is for, darling,” Hamilton said. “We’re here for you, always. By the way, this wine has such a unique flavor,” he continued, sipping the alcohol.

“Yes, it’s quite the blend,” Evie added.

Diana chuckled. “This wine… it’s like the deceit hidden under the guise of family love.” Hamilton and Evie exchanged a worried glance, the atmosphere growing tense.

“What do you mean?” Hamilton asked as he nervously refilled his glass. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice?

The secret messages, the laughter, her perfume… I saw it all.” Suddenly, Evie began coughing.

“Wait… wha-what did you do with the wine?” she asked tremblingly. “It’s a special blend for you two. Merlot with a hint of retribution.

Cyanide, perhaps!” Diana revealed nonchalantly.

As they realized the danger, Hamilton and Evie panicked, coughing violently. “Diana, this is madness!” Hamilton cried, rushing to the bathroom after Evie. Diana, satisfied with her revenge, continued eating.

“Justice is served,” she whispered, her tears following freely and her heart relieved.Then, overwhelmed by the gravity of her actions and the haunting sound of a baby crying, Diana panicked, “Wait!

What have I done?

Did I kill them? Did I kill my husband and sister?” she muttered. Diana wasn’t herself as she called 911 and then Dr.

Carrey, confessing her actions in a state of despair.

Dr. Carrey urged her to wait for him and not make any rash decisions. When he arrived, he found Diana distraught on the floor near the bathroom.

“Diana, what happened?” he asked, trying to maintain his composure.

“I… I poisoned Hamilton and Evie. I thought they betrayed me! I felt it was the right thing to do!” And then, she burst into tears, pointing at their bodies on the bathroom floor.

Dr.

Carrey consoled her, “There’s no one here, Diana. Remember, you live alone? Diana was confused.

She insisted she was with Hamilton and Evie, and it was then Dr. Carrey revealed a harsh truth. “You’ve been alone for two years, Diana.

Your mind has been playing tricks.” Diana couldn’t believe his words.

She mentioned texting Evie, but Dr. Carrey showed her the texts were to herself.

He gently reminded her of the tragic accident two years ago that took Hamilton and Evie’s lives and how she survived but lost her unborn child.

They were returning from a dinner, and Hamilton had insisted on driving their car, but Diana hadn’t agreed. “I couldn’t save them…” she whispered.

“I just couldn’t…” Dr. Carrey looked into her eyes.

“What happened that night, Diana, was a tragic accident. It was not your fault.

You didn’t kill them. You’ve been creating a false reality to cope with your guilt and grief.

But it’s time to accept the truth.” Hearing the truth from Dr. Carrey began clearing the doubts in Diana’s mind.

Her hallucinations and the belief that her husband and sister had betrayed her were her mind’s way to escape the pain of their loss.

She could see it now.

Dr. Carrey then showed her her phone logs, proving there was no call to 911, only to him. At that point, she broke down, relieved yet grieving her lost child, husband, and sister.

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 later… 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.

“I feel better, Dr. Carrey. I’ve been learning to live again, to honor their memory without the guilt.” “So, how has your husband been?” he inquired, watching her closely for her reaction.

It’s been three years since Hamilton passed away.

I’ve not only lost him but also my beloved sister, Evie.” Dr. Carrey nodded, convinced that Diana had indeed moved on from the trauma of her past.

“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.

“I’ll stay in touch, no matter how far I go, doctor,” Diana assured Dr.

Carrey as she gathered her things. As she 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.

A chill ran down Dr. Carrey’s spine. The patient he had thought had healed had, in fact, made very little progress.

“We have a long way to go, Diana,” he muttered under his breath.

“A long way.”