Page 108 of Terms of Exposure
"Damien has already filled me in on a number of things. How you met. The deceptions that led there. Your professional lives." A small smile. "In short, I'm caught up."
I nodded, glancing at Damien. "Thanks."
He smiled down at me, taking my hand in his.
"In addition to that," she continued, "he mentioned that you're in a power exchange dynamic."
I stiffened, heat creeping into my cheeks.
"I want to be clear," she said calmly. "That's not something I'm here to pathologize or fix. My role isn't to judge the structure—it's to help you make sure it serves you both."
Damien squeezed my hand.
"So," she said, settling back. "What brings you in today?"
I glanced at Damien. He glanced at me.
Dr. Raines waited.
The silence stretched.
I stared at the rug.
"There was a situation," I said finally. "With the merger. The audit."
I pulled my hand from Damien's, the contact suddenly too much.
"When I found out," I continued, "it felt like the floor dropped out. Not just because there was fraud tied to my company. But because he'd known for weeks and—"
My tapping quickened. "He'd lied."
Dr. Raines inclined her head. "So trust is the issue."
"Yes," I said immediately. "Trust is the issue."
She turned to Damien. "How does that land for you?"
He dragged in a breath. "Like shit."
"Why?"
"Because I should have told her."
"Why didn't you?"
His jaw tightened. "Because she wouldn't look at me the same if I had."
"You were afraid of being judged."
He nodded once.
"And you," she said, turning back to me. "What emotion feels strongest right now?"
"Disappointment."
She accepted that, then looked back to Damien.
"What was driving you when you chose not to tell her?"
