Twinsequences Ivy (Twisted Twin #2)(6)

He shook his head. It was obvious my prying annoyed him. “I had a fight with my wife. She wants to pick up and move to New York.”

A knot formed in my stomach when I thought about my only chance at getting out of this place being taken away from me. “Please don’t tell me you’re actually considering it.”

He sighed and moved a piece of my hair out of my face. “I can’t leave you. I told her I wouldn’t leave my practice.”

“Then it’s settled. You’re not going anywhere.”

He seemed concerned. “Not exactly. You see, back when I was in med school her father paid for my last two years. I owe him, and feel obligated to the family because of it. He only paid for it because he knew I was planning on marrying his daughter.”

“Well, wouldn’t he want you to stay? Why would he be upset with you for wanting to keep his daughter close to him?”

“He’s opening a clinic in the city. He wanted us to come there with them. It’s his idea.”

My mind went to a lot of places it shouldn’t; mostly what I would have done if I were in his position. I considered the possibility of him being more invested if his wife wasn’t in the picture, more to the point of being dead in the ground. Without her around, he wouldn’t feel obligated to her father. He’d have more time to spend figuring out how to break me free.

My motives were selfish. I was fully aware I was a control freak. I needed things a certain way in order to be happy, and when they didn’t work to my advantage I’d go to drastic measures to change the outcome.

Knowing how Mikael was my doctor above all, I had to think like a rational adult. “Perhaps it’s time to get legally separated. Wouldn’t life be easier if you didn’t have to go home to her?”

I assumed he’d put on a brave face and agree with me, at least until he got me into bed, but Mikael wasn’t in the mood for games. “I can’t do it. I’m not ready. We’ve got a lot vested in our relationship. It’s complicated.”

“Uncomplicate it. You’re making me feel like I’m a side piece of ass.”

We were standing face to face, almost close enough to touch, but keeping our distance. He brought one hand up and ran the back of it over my cheek. “When I tell you I love you I mean it, but at the same time, I still have strong feelings for her. I wouldn’t blame you for hating me. Sometimes I hate myself. I’ve gotten you involved in my screwed up life.”

I tried not to let my emotions take over. It wasn’t like he was hurting my feelings. I could have cared less if we never saw each other again, aside from the part of needing him to help me get out. I could feel tears forming in my eyes as I thought about having to seduce another employee to make it happen. With a sad face I let my head fall against his chest. “I understand. It’s like the way I feel about Stoshua. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop loving him.”

This made Mikael’s body relax. He brought his strong arms up and held me. “Thank you, Ivy. I won’t lie to you about my feelings. When I say I love you, it’s the truth. I want us to be together outside of this hospital.”

“I won’t be your mistress forever. I hope you get that.”

“I do.” He pressed his lips over the top of my head. “I just need time.”

Time.

It was what had gotten me into this mess. I was tired of basing my life on a clock.

I backed away, releasing his hold. “I’ll wait as long as you need me to, as long as you get me out of here first. I don’t need your money. I can manage on my own.” When he turned away I felt like he was ignoring me. I took my hand and held onto his chin, forcing him to look at me while I spoke. “You know I’m not sick. My parents put me in here to lock me away, because they wanted my sister to be able to raise her child with my husband.”

“Your files say otherwise, Ivy. There is a lot more involved in your case than a pregnancy. You threatened to kill people.”

“Put yourself in my situation. One day I’m happily married, and the next, my husband knocks up my sister. They’re planning their life together like I don’t exist. They’re making me look insane for it to be easier for others to accept them. This was their plan. Yeah, I took a gun to my parents and threatened to use it, but I didn’t. I could never hurt another human being.”

I think for a few seconds Mikael believed me, at least until he brought up something I’d neglected to mention. “And what about Rafe?”

“He was just a friend.” I quickly thought up a logical answer. “The truth is, he’s the person who discovered the affair. He wanted to help me, even if I didn’t have feelings for him. How was I to know he’d become violent?”

I had documented none of this. Up until this very moment I’d never divulged information about Rafe. Aside from the police report from my sister and Stosh, they’d never even asked for my side of the story.

“Ivy, I know you’ve been burned, and I don’t doubt the way you see things, but I know there is more to this story than you’re telling me.” He pulled me by the fabric of my shirt. “I think we should save this conversation for your next session and get back to the real reason you’re here.”

His comment made me withdraw. I stood there glaring at him, trying to come to terms with his statement. Maybe I was being overdramatic, but I was sure he’d just blatantly said he was using me for sex. I wasn’t having it.