𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 11. 𝕴𝖓 𝖂𝖍𝖎𝖈𝖍 𝕽𝖍𝖞𝖘 𝕯𝖎𝖘𝖈𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖘 𝖂𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖂𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖂𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖂𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝕳𝖎𝖒

(𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 :- 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚜 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚍𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 (𝙽𝚘𝚝 𝚎𝚡𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚕𝚢... 𝚆𝚑𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚁𝚑𝚢𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙻𝚞𝚗𝚊 𝚠𝚊𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚊 𝚜𝚘𝚛𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚍𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚝, 𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚍 𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚐𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚜𝚘, 𝚗𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚜, 𝚒𝚝'𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚌). 𝙸𝚝 𝚒𝚜𝚗'𝚝 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚙𝚎𝚘𝚙𝚕𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚜𝚜𝚞𝚎𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚜 𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚎...)

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ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ'ꜱ ᴘᴏᴠ : ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴏᴜʀ ᴍᴀɪɴ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀꜱ (ʀʜʏꜱ, ʙʟᴀᴢᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ꜱʏʟᴠɪᴇ) ᴡᴇʀᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴜɢɢʟɪɴɢ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ꜰɪɢᴜʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴡᴀʏ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏꜰ 'ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀɴᴄᴛᴜᴀʀʏ', ᴏᴜʀ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴍᴀɪɴ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀ (ɪ.ᴇ ʟᴜɴᴀ) ᴡᴀꜱ ꜰᴀᴄɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ꜰᴀɪʀ ꜱʜᴀʀᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴘʀᴏʙʟᴇᴍꜱ...

ꜱᴏ, ʟᴇᴛ'ꜱ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ʟɪꜰᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴇxᴀᴄᴛʟʏ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴᴇᴅ.
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𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓸𝓻𝔂...

(𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 :- 𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭'𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞)

Luna made her way back to the empty house. Mavis was out for work and it was just herself there...

She couldn't understand how her family had come this far from happiness. She thought everything was going fine, then, why...? She didn't know the answer.

𝓕𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 :-

It was few days after Christmas holidays. Rhys had told Luna that he had been receiving some really weird dreams in his sleep. Rhys had already informed Luna that he was very disturbed with those dreams and thus, wanted to go and see a therapist. Of course, Luna wanted to accompany him. She had, after all, promised to never leave him alone in his misery. But, Rhys declined her help saying that it wouldn't be good for Valerie's health. Luna couldn't argue much when Rhys included Valerie in his talks. Thus, she was left with no other option than to wait for him to come home.

When, he did come back, his entire frame was a mess. Rhys was very sensitive as a person and things related to family easily triggered him. Oftentimes, he would start feeling lost and before knowing anything, he is drowned in his past. Death of his parents had hit him really hard...

Seeing Rhys so messed up, Luna rushed to his side but, Rhys politely asked her to leave him alone for sometime. He assured her that everything will be fine. Luna shouldn't have trusted him that day...

(Entrance of the house)

After that day, Rhys started looking more and more pale with each passing day. His appetite was almost gone. The only thing he ever spoke was her and Valerie's health. Their conversations started getting shorter and formal. A lack of communication can have consequences that affect more than just the relationship – it can affect one's personal health, too. She knew that sometimes, the lack is about connection being lost; the way you made each other laugh, the words of comfort you shared when upset, the hugs at the end of each day – vanish. But, she also knew that it wasn't the case with Rhys. It wasn't the connection being lost, but, himself.

"As the communication gap increases, it makes space for others to enter and fill the void. A relationship between two people comes to an end as they start seeking for a third person to talk to. I thought you were better than this Luna... Leave him, before he leaves you. Or try talking more." Luna's psychiatrist suggested her. And Luna couldn't 'disagree' more...

"Are you suggesting my husband is cheating on me?" Luna sent an open glare in her direction. She shouldn't have listened to Mavis and come to see a psychiatrist. Handling it on her own was always her way. But, she didn't want to take chances with Valerie around, that's why she agreed. Of course, she was starting to regret it.

"Maybe he is... Have you felt a rift between you that can’t be explained? Has it become increasingly difficult to communicate or share your likes and interests?" She questioned.

"Yes... But, it hasn't even..."

"You said yes... I don't think I need more information there. Many couples will often hold on to memories of when they first met and overlook the ways in which both people have changed. Feeling disconnected more often than not may mean you no longer want to hold on to the past. And I know that's the case with your husband."

"Where do even get that idea? I'm telling you, he isn't feeling..."

"You're just assuring yourself here. I can see that in this relationship, your major values aren’t aligned. Even if you connect with and care deeply about the other person, you might not be on the same page when it comes to big- picture things. It's clear that he doesn't want you to be involved with him any farther than this... Ignoring problems will only make things worse. Don’t try to pretend everything is fine. Instead, lay everything out on the table and have an honest talk with yourself about this." She said pushing a glass of water in Luna's direction.

"I'm not ignoring anything. Listen carefully to me. I know he's disturbed and doesn't want us to feel the same. That's why there's a communication gap." Luna was becoming pretty irritated about this. Maybe it was little Valerie, who didn't like the psychiatrist or her words.

"I know a 'right' way for all this. Break up. Get a divorce and live without any regrets. Even though I say "right" way, but in reality, there is no right or "best" way to break up. Every relationship is different, and every person in a relationship is different. It is up to you to consider the personality, needs, and feelings of your partner as you read your thoughts clearly, figure out how to end things. It would be best for your child too."

"Why are you suggesting something as absurd as that? And don't you dare include our child in this. How does growing without a father sound music to your ears? Ending our relationship at this early stage, is no good. It would be like, I'm giving up even before starting." Luna wanted to leave her session right away due to such offensive response.

"Every couple, regardless of how they might look on the outside, goes through rough patches. And even if you deeply love your partner, it’s not healthy to stay in such a toxic relationship." She said adjusting her glasses.

"Did you just call my marriage 'toxic'? Let me clarify some things here... We've only been married for one year. It's too soon to give up just because there's some communication gap." Luna was straight out offended.

"Understanding the difference between the normal ups and downs of a healthy partnership and signs that a relationship has run its course isn’t always easy. Of course, you'll feel yourself to be not worthy enough for your partner. But, that's not like it. Your husband doesn't deserve you. It's better to leave him than stay and suffer. There are some clear signs to look for when you know that the relationship is already over... For example communication gaps."

"Listen here... I'm not feeling unworthy of him. I told you he isn't feeling well and is already mentally disturbed with his past... Yet, you're keeping your flow of saying such idiotic things about my husband. I'm done here. And get ready. I'll see you in the court for this." Luna slammed the desk and stormed out of the office. Never in her life, has she seen it heard something so troubling.

And true to her words, Luna successfully managed to sue that psychiatrist on her own, she didn't even tell Rhys and Blaze about this. Only Mavis knew.

Like other medical professionals, a psychiatrist can be held liable for negligence in a medical malpractice lawsuit. As a result, a psychiatrist's errors or missteps in treatment can carry significant consequences for patients. And Luna knew better than to let such negativity take over herself. She didn't want anyone else to suffer like she did during her counseling.

After returning home from court that day, Luna found all the light off in the house. It was strange as Rhys was already home. She immediately switched the lights of entrance. She hurried inside the living room and saw Rhys slumped over the couch. His blonde hair was completely disheveled, his one  beautiful, amber eyes has completely lost their colour and we're looking pretty lifeless. Luna hurried towards him with careful steps and bend down to his level.

(Living Room of Rhys' and Luna' house)

"What happened Rhys? Are you okay?" She lightly shook him.

On coming in contact with her hand, Rhys whole body jerked away. Luna was shocked and hurt by his reaction but, she composed herself quickly. She stood up as Rhys stoop up. She tried talking to him...

"What's wrong Rhys? You need to talk to me for me to understand what's wrong... Please say something." She took his hand in hers. And Rhys didn't let go either. It was a sign that he was considering to finally talk about himself. Luna knew his gestures far too well.

"I..." Rhys started and stopped. His was was already cracked. Luna understood that he was already crying before her coming home.

"Yes? Talk to me about it Rhys. You know we'll figure this out... You have faith in me... Right?" Luna stroked the back of his hand. Warmth immediately engulfed Rhys. It's amazing what a simple touch from your loved ones do to you.

"I don't trust myself... It's not you... But me." Rhys answered looking away. He knew he was at his limit in hiding things from her. Luna looked at him questioningly, waiting for him to elaborate. She was never the talkative type. Only spoke when asked something or when she saw it necessary to interrupt something.

"I know I've raised my hands on you... You don't need to hide it." Rhys took his hands away from her warmth, welcoming the familiar coldness of being alone.

"What? Nothing like that happened. If there was something like that, I would say it. You know me..." Luna couldn't understand what was happening. Why would Rhys think something like that.

"I know you... But I don't think I know myself anymore. I was having constant dreams of something horrible and when I went to the therapist... They were successful in interpreting my dream. I was dreaming of violence against you. I am not... Safe to be around you ... Or Vale..."

"Stop right there. Have you completely lost it ! If not, why are you saying something so absurd. Nothing happened I'm telling you." Luna stopped Rhys midway.

"No... I... " Rhys took few steps back. He placed his hand on his racing heartbeat, to calm himself down. Luna could sense his shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling and muscle tension. She immediately knew what it was.

Rhys had PTSD. Feeling afraid is a common symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Having intense fear that comes on suddenly could mean you're having a panic attack. This sudden fear may come without warning or without any obvious reason. Or a panic attack may happen when something reminds you of your trauma. Luna knew things related to violence triggered him. And this type, someone was successful in making of realize his crimes even without commiting it.

Rhys had a racing heart. He had the feeling of his heart expanding in his chest…like it might explode… From there, he began to panic and his heart started beating even faster….and his body started shaking so hard that it felt like he was having a convulsion. He could barely breathe. It felt like he was having a heart attack and that he was going to die.

Luna, troubled by the sight in front of her rushed as fast as she could to the kitchen. Rhys didn't have a panic attack since two years of her knowing him. But, she knew better than to ignore his PTSD. For panic attacks, like these she had already prepared about 4 ready-to-go ice packs—2 big and 2 small– in her freezer. She had heard how to calm him during panic attacks.

She rushed to Rhys's side and made him sit down. She put two small ones in his hand and the two large ones on his lower back. His heart was really racing fast and his breathing was getting worse, she took another ice and placed it on his belly and started rubbing it from the middle of his chest down to the bottom of his belly, slowly, and over and over until she thought his heart rate would calm down. Once she felt Rhys could breathe again, she placed the packs on his lower belly and his lower back, and in the palms of his hand.

"Just breathe Rhys... It's all going to be okay. Think nothing. You did NOT do anything to me." She tried calming him.

Suddenly, Rhys's breathing turned more shallow. His heart caught pace... Luna raised her hand to place the ice cubes in their place. It was then, Rhys jerked himself away from her, caught her raised hand Midway and shook his head... Telling her to let go of him. Luna didn't budge. She tried to help him again. And thus, used her other free hand to free her caught hand. Rhys was scared. He wanted to get away. He was already distraught with the flashbacks of his parents's death... And now, Luna and Valerie were suffering because of him. His instincts kicked in and he pushed Luna away from him... In the frenzy, Luna's lower back hit the glass table... Hard. She gripped floor to steady herself. And in the moment, a scream left her mouth.

Hearing his wife scream suddenly brought Rhys back to reality. He was now, more scared than ever. Seeing his expression, Luna calmed herself in no time and just went on to hug Rhys tightly.

When we hold someone's hand or hug them, we feel every bit of them and our brains react. When we reach out, a chemical called oxytocin — also dubbed the “love hormone” — kicks in and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside. When we touch – cuddle, hug, or hold hands – our bodies release “feel good” hormones. These hormones include oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. Once the hormones are released into our bodies we experience feelings of happiness, relaxation, improve mood, and lower levels of depression. Rhys felt these too... Though it took some time.
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Few hours past that... Rhys woke up and found himself in living room's couch with Luna hugging him tightly. She was still in her sitting posture. Her face was tear stricken just like himself. A very unhealthy state for someone carrying a baby of five months.

It then, downed upon Rhys. What had he done? How could he do so? He was lost in his thoughts when, Luna stirred. He calmed himself and carried her to their bedroom. He placed her gently on bed, unclasped her shoes and covered her with blanket. When he tried to distangle himself from her, she woke up.

(Luna and Rhys' bedroom)

"Rhys? Are you okay now? Should we go see a doctor right now?" She was immediately in her sitting posture. Rhys just looked away. How could he look directly at her when he has something so shameful.

"I can't. I can't believe... I did it twice now." Tears started welling in his eyes.

"You can't do this Rhys. Look at me. You DID NOT do anything. Nothing happened which was done intentionally. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT blame yourself. It was me who slipped, not you, who pushed me." Luna held his face and turned it to look at herself.

"But... I..." His voice cracked.

"You didn't do anything. And if you feel so sure about this, just apologize and end this... I can't stand to see you like this anymore." Luna hugged him and gently stroke his hair.

"I can't. I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." He allowed himself to be wrapped in her warmth and comfort.

"Shh... It's okay. Everything's okay. Don't listen to what your therapists say now... Promise me you'll always come to me whenever you feel I'm directly involved?"

"Please don't forgive me so easily. Please..." Rhys almost begged her. He couldn't stand to see himself anymore.

"We... I... I... pushed you... Hurt you... And Valerie... I got aggressive with you. Please be so angry with me... Please... want to... to run. Say... You... do not want me and... doesn’t trust me to be around you two." Rhys was sobbing hard on her shoulders.

"Nah... it's okay. You didn't do anything to hurt me or Val. Besides, you have already apologized and your actions tell that you're disappointed in yourself. Please don't be like that... It's okay when I'm saying the same..." Luna gently kissed his hair and tightened her grip on him. She was reluctant to let him go.

"But I..."

"It's okay... I told you. Don't make me repeat myself. Besides, Val is craving for ice cream and pasta right now. Won't we fulfill her demands...?" Luna successfully managed to convince Rhys to let go of that topic that night.
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Later, she sat with Rhys and tried to talk things out with him. He answered and listened to every single thing that she said. She thought things will be okay if they sit and talk things out. It worked for sometime, and later, it got worse when, she heard that Rhys had gone to an important business meeting and left his phone at home. Afterwards, she learnt that Blaze had gone with him. At that instant, she knew something wasn't right but, she herself, was exhausted both mentally and physically to do anything about it. She decided to give them some space and let them figure out by themselves. She believed in herself and her bonds...

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𝓔𝓷𝓭 𝓸𝓯 𝓕𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴...
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Luna slowly made her way to Valerie's nursery and sat beside it... Remembering how Rhys had decorated it overnight to surprise her.

(Valerie's Nursery)

"Where are you Rhys... Just come back already." She wiped her tears and went to Mavis's room to clean it. She hadn't gone there after Christmas. Guess, things kept her occupied. But, with Rhys now, gone for four days straight, she has started to feel uneasy. And, at times like these... Drowning in the memories of loved one helps.

As she went to clean Mavis's drawer. She was shocked to find some papers scattered all over it...

(Mavis' Drawer... I couldn't show it messy with papers but, I guess, you can already picture how it must have been.)

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Number of Words :- 3061 (Excluding Author's Note at the end of the story)
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Author's Note :-

Another long chapter... With this, I'm done with 20k word count but, my story isn't finished yet. So, I'll have to push myself very much to work with the completion of story. I've to submit completed novella only... After all.

Don't worry... The book is soon going to end. Four to Five super long chapters (like this) more to go before that. You won't have to hear my rants at the end of every chapter after that. Honestly, I can't believe I came so far with my book. If I'm able to complete it in time, it would be my first complete story.

So, enough about me. Let's talk about the chapter...

We get to know about PTSD here. In addition to the emotional turmoil and the physical manifestations that I've described, panic attacks can cause palpitations, pounding heart or accelerated heart rate; sweating; trembling or shaking; sensations of shortness of breath or smothering; feelings of choking; chest pain or discomfort; nausea or abdominal distress; feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed or faint; chills or overheating; numbness or tingling; feelings of unreality (derealization) or being detached from oneself (depersonalization); fear of losing control or “going crazy”; and fear of dying. It's not to be taken lightly.

Mental health is really important everyone so, please take care of yourself and if you ever feel like you just need someone to listen or talk to... You know you can talk to me via private messages.

Also, we see that sometimes, psychiatrists don't take our emotions seriously. They end up taking wrong routes to help us. It degraded the situation in our main protagonist's case. Things like these can happen in real life too. Doctor or not, they're humans and can make mistakes.

What I'm saying is that don't let it get to you... Try to fight it, like Luna. Report those doctors if they overstep their boundaries and neglect your emotions. Many cases of psychiatric malpractice are never reported because the victims are already emotionally unstable. If you suspect that you have been a victim of psychiatric malpractice, consider consulting a local attorney. Don't keep mum about it.

You're precious and important for someone too... And if not anyone, you're important to yourself and nature. So, value yourselves and your life more.

At last, let me know how you liked the chapter and characters so far.

Till the next time, take care of yourself and people around yourselves. (You know how important it is now, that the Covid is hampering so much)...