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It hadn’t been embarrassment that kept Gwen quiet Her mother had firmly stated that she’d lie and cover for the bastard if Gwen told her teachers The main reason Gwen had kept her mouth shut was that she’d known her stepfather would take it out on her mother She’d kept quiet to protect Hanna, but it hadn’t felt like she was protecting her It had felt like she was ignoring Hanna’s pain and need for helpjust like the neighbors who never called the police, no ot Not that Hanna was entirely innocent No, she was just as volatile and mercurial as the bastard, but she never raised a hand to anyone

"Like I said, none of it matters now"

"Of course it does," Julie insisted "Witnessing do ourthat hurt and terrorized us It’s a frightening and distressing experience, and it impacts every part of a person’s--"

"That’s your therapist talking"

Julie clasped her hand "Speaking of Aidan, he wants to see you He wants to help you through this It’s going to be a trying tiood for you"

Gwen gritted her teeth "I don’t want or need anything froo after Julie stated that she wouldn’t go unless Gwen did Gwen had never liked it or the therapist Never liked his probing gaze or his insistence that she "needed" his help to heal It had creeped her out, but not nearly as s" for her He’d seemed completely shocked that she didn’t feel the same way, and he hadn’t been at all happy that she told him to stay away from her

Gwen had never told Julie because Aidan see her, and God knew that Julie needed that "I’, I know that But it’s not for everyone"

Julie held up her hands "Okay I’er"

"Yeah, I know You sounded exactly like him" It almost made her shudder

"He was very specific about what he wanted me to say"

"Who?" asked Marlon as he entered the room

"Aidan," replied Julie

Marlon’s mouth flattened "Is that so?"

Julie tilted her head "Why don’t you like him?"

Marlon sank onto the sofa opposite them "I have my reasons" One of which was that Gwen had told him about Aidan’s creepy and wildly unprofessional declaration of love Her foster brother was the only person who knew

Shrugging the matter off, Julie turned to Gwen "Anyway, I ca, but we all know it doesn’t alork that way, and I wanted you to know that I’m behind you on this"

Gwen patted her hand "Thanks, Jules"

Julie went to speak, but then two large figures entered the room, their footsteps eerily silent Julie tensed under Zander and Bracken’s scrutiny--she wasn’t comfortable arounda reassuring hand on Julie’s arm, Gwen spoke, "Mr Devlin--"

"Zander," he reht Zander Do you need so?"

"Yeah" But he didn’t elaborate

"Can it wait? I’ht now" And Gould rather not talk to hi their earlier topic of conversation

Julie leaned into Gwen and asked quietly, "Is everything okay?"

"Yes," Gwen assured her "Julie, this is Zander and Bracken They’re guests here Zander, Bracken, this issister, Julie"