Free Retribution (Sebastian Trilogy Book 3) by Janey Rosen Page B

pad from the inside pocket of his jacket and scribbles something on the top sheet. I say nothing. Slumped dejectedly in the chair, I accept the prescription and fold it repeatedly until it’s as small as I can make it, a tiny square that seals my fate. He’s watching my fingers work. “Do you have concerns about taking this medication, Elizabeth?”
    “What ever gives you that idea? ” I tuck the small square in the pocket of my jeans and rest my hands in my lap, my eyes meeting his. “In giving me the prescription, you are confirming that I am insane. It all seems so real to me, Doctor. Some of it I don’t want to believe, but Joe coming back…it would kill me not to believe that. I can just about cope if I think he’s happy and that I’ll see him again. If that’s all in my fucked up head, then it means everything is imagined including him. That means I won’t see him again. Do you get that?”
    “I understand. However, when you’re feeling well you’ll learn to cope with the separation from Joe. I’m not saying you’ll ever stop missing him, but you will start to let in the happy memories and they will balance the sad ones. Please trust me. Trust Sebastian and your friend Ruth. Do this for yourself and for them, and your daughter and mother. Everyone around you loves you, Elizabeth, but you have to love yourself and get well.”
    An alarming thought strikes me. “May I ask you something? ” Doctor Fairfax nods. “Were you Libby’s psychiatrist? ” When he nods in confirmation, I ask, “Did you prescribe medication for her? ” I wonder if Libby was indeed mentally ill at all, or was Scarlett poisoning her too? It all begins to make sense to me, clarity of vision akin to regaining sight after a period of blindness. The correlation of our symptoms and Scarlett’s involvement, the diagnosis and Libby’s eventual demise are all too coincidental to be wretched misfortune.
    “I can’t discuss other patients. I have a duty of confidentiality. Why do you ask? ” Shrugging my shoulders in feigned indifference I note the momentary flicker of something dark in Doctor Fairfax’s eyes. Anxiety? Guilt, perhaps? I struck a chord with him. A sharp rap on the study door precedes Sebastian’s entrance.
    “Ah, Sebastian. ” Doctor Fairfax springs to his feet, and the two men shake hands warmly. “We’ve just finished. You have impeccable timing as ever.”
    Sebastian leans over me and plants a gentle kiss on my lips. “Okay, sweetheart?”
    “Peachy, ” I reply, rising wearily to my feet. “I’m officially nuts and even have a prescription to prove it. ” He arches a brow as I retrieve the folded paper from my pocket, and wave it between thumb and index finger in front of his face.
    Sebastian casts a glance at Doctor Fairfax but he’s watching me. “Medication? Is that necessary, Leo?”
    Doctor Fairfax nods as he slips his notebook into a briefcase and clicks the catch home. “Elizabeth, are you comfortable with me answering that question? ” I confirm that I couldn’t give a hoot. “Absolutely, Sebastian. It’s only short-term, but in my opinion it will stabilise Elizabeth’s mood and address some of the unpleasant effects she is experiencing.
    “Indeed. ” Sebastian wraps an arm protectively around my waist. “You will take the pills, Elizabeth, ” he commands as though he can read my mind. “I’ll have Scarlett collect your tablets this afternoon. ” I have no intention of taking the pills but nod in acquiescence. My mind is made up. Albeit my crazy, depressed, psychotic mind according to the professional and my loved ones. I am the only one who knows the truth. No, that’s incorrect. Scarlett also knows the truth and I intend to regain my senses with a week in Dorset after which, battle will commence in earnest.
    Sebastian waves from the steps of Penmorrow and I leave a little piece of my heart behind. Bella has been very quiet for the past couple of days and I’m unsure of what