Leo's POV

I threw up into my toilet, tightly holding onto the seat. I took a couple deep breaths, spitting out the unpleasant aftertaste my vomit left in my mouth. I scooted back away from the toilet, feeling the chills I had start to come back.

"I can't fucking do this." I shook my head. "I don't wanna do this anymore."

Seth and Tony frowned at me. They were seated by my side on my bathroom floor, supporting me through my alcohol withdrawal. Seth stood up, walking over to me with a damp cloth in his hands.

"Leo, I know this sucks but you'll feel so much worse if you keep drinking." Seth placed the cool cloth over my forehead, wiping the sweat away. "C'mon Seth, one drink isn't gonna ruin anything. I promise, one wouldn't hurt." I pleaded.

"Yeah that's what they all say..." Tony muttered.

"Fuck you Tony." I irritably spat.

"He didn't mean that." Seth quickly reassured Tony. "Leo you're only three days in, don't break a good streak over one drink."

Yeah, three days in and this shit was killing me. My body was shaky and I couldn't stop sweating. Falling asleep was a struggle. Whenever I did manage to get some sleep, I'd have the same bad dreams that loved to torture me. It was either the memories of my mom leaving me or Nadia shamelessly cheating on me.

I didn't know which dream was worse. All I was left with was a hole in my heart and the constant thoughts of wondering what I did to deserve this.

I sniffled, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. "I know it doesn't seem like it but, I really appreciate you guys being here." I softly admitted.

Seth and Tony lightly smiled at me. "Of course. Like I said, we're here for you man." Seth reassured.

"Do you guys think I should see Nadia?" I timidly asked.

Tony immediately shook his head. "No. For what?"

I sighed. "I just...I just wanna apologize to her." I fidgeted with my hands.

Tony grimaced. "Apologize? Shouldn't she be the one apologizing to you? She fucked you up."

"No, I mean like, apologize for hurting her..." I trailed off.

"You can't do that over the phone or something?" Seth wearily suggested. "What if she doesn't even want to see you?"

"Leo, she's probably not even thinking about you." Tony crossed his arms over his chest. "Based on what you told us, it looks like she's got another man on her mind." He gave me a stern look, raising his eyebrows and I knew he was talking about Danny's brother.

"I'm not gonna lie," Seth began, faintly wincing at his words. "She's probably gonna get with him. If she hasn't already..." He mumbled.

There was that heavy sensation in my chest and the foul feeling in my stomach that made me want to throw up. I didn't doubt what Seth said for a second. He was the one who was around both of them recently.

Maybe it wouldn't have hurt so much if Nadia found literally any other guy to sneak around with. I couldn't express the anger I felt knowing she still managed to be connected to Danny in some way. Moving on to his brother was pathetic as fuck. What was so special about Danny anyways? He was sick in the head and a borderline rapist.

I didn't get why Nadia gravitated towards his brother. Wouldn't it just be a constant reminder of what happened to her? It didn't help that they looked real similar too.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was secretly just as terrible as Danny.

It's fucked up but I hope he breaks her heart. She honestly deserves it.

...

Nadia's POV

My eyes focused on the sunset over the lake, trying to distract myself from the pacing thoughts in my mind. It was a Saturday evening and I was at the park, seated on a wooden bench...with Christian. The same thought was at the forefront of my mind and I could feel my eyes begin to tear up.

I took a deep breath. "Christian, do you think I need to see a therapist?"

He softly chuckled, turning his head to look at me. "Why? Do you think you need to see one?" Christian gently placed his hand on my cheek, wiping away a tear that tried to escape my right eye. I sheepishly laughed to myself, glancing down at my lap. I shrugged my shoulders, sniffling a bit. "I don't know, maybe. I-I've been having these reoccurring dreams...about Danny." I hesitantly admitted.

Christian's eyebrows rose in subtle surprise, now intrigued after mentioning Danny's name.

"I um, I visit him in prison sometimes."

"So, it's like he never died? Because he'd definitely be in prison right now if he was alive."

"Kinda. Only difference is I know he's dead." Christian looked at me strangely. I chuckled. "I know it sounds weird. The first time I dreamt about him I mentioned his death and he acted like it never happened."

"Why do you think you dream about him?" Christian asked softly.

I sighed, looking out towards the lake again as I thought about the voicemail Danny left me and all those days I dreaded hidden in Christian's cabin.

"Because I wish I got an actual apology from him." I looked at Christian, subtly remembering the night he rescued me. "Ever since I listened to the voicemail he left me saying how he wanted to explain and apologize to me in depth, I just," I paused. "I just desperately want to know what he would have said. My mind can't even give me false peace with a fake apology from him."

Christian sorrowfully gazed at me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "I get it. Sometimes I wish Danny was still here so I could talk to him and just ask what the fuck was going on in his head. I'm sad he's gone, but I'm angry at him for what he did too."

He sighed, giving me a warm smile. "I guess we both have to find a way to let that go somehow. It hurts but, Danny's never coming back."

I rested my head on his shoulder, taking in a deep breath. "I know."

Are you gonna mention the nightmarish version of Danny that scares you?

Or the trauma he left you with?

Why don't you tell Christian about the nightmares that keep you up at night? Not just the prison dreams, tell him about the cabin...

Tell him how terrible his brother really was.

I slightly grimaced at the pressing thoughts in my mind, trying to block them out. Christian didn't need to know the details of what happened. At least not now. I wasn't even sure if I was ready to talk about it again. The only people who knew were Detective Myers and Collins. Only because I felt obligated to tell them what happened, which ultimately led to Danny being charged with sexual assault.

Besides, it's been a while since I dreamt about the memories of being kidnapped. Maybe I'm doing better than I thought. Maybe this will all go away on its own and I'll be fine.

I'll be just, fine.