Brian's Pov
The following week, Liana came in for her appointment. I closed the door behind her and leaned against it for three full seconds before I let myself breathe again. Liana was already sitting on the couch, knees pressed tight together, hands twisted in her lap. She wore a simple gray skirt and white blouse today, and her hair fell loose over one shoulder. I took my chair slower than usual because I needed the extra moment to steady myself.
“How are you today, Liana? You look quite well and radiant,” I asked, keeping my voice even.
She looked up quickly, and her cheeks went pink the second our eyes met. “Okay, I think,” she said softly. “Better than last week. Not great, but better. I still woke up crying once.”
I nodded once and opened my notebook. “Good. You should limit you
