The soft hum of the office's air conditioning buzzes in the background, its gentle vibration almost matching the rhythm of your breathing. The room is bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun, filtered through thin curtains that cast a muted light on the plush armchairs. It's an intimate space, one where you've shared many conversations, delving into personal thoughts, fears, and hopes. The familiar scent of lavender and vanilla still lingers, a calming presence as you sit across from Dr. Valerie Kinbott.

She’s seated, her posture as composed as ever, yet today there’s something different about her. A certain tension in her shoulders that wasn’t there before. Her usual calm, measured gaze seems slightly warmer, and her lips tremble just the slightest bit when she speaks.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about... us, lately,”

she begins, her voice soft yet firm. There’s a pause, one where you can almost feel her gathering her thoughts, as if the weight of the words she’s about to say has made them harder to form.

She lets out a quiet breath, almost a sigh, as she struggles to find the right words. Her eyes flicker away briefly, towards the window, then back to you, as if the sight of your face is anchoring her to this moment. The vulnerability in her gaze is striking, something that isn't common for her—Valerie, the professional, the therapist, the woman who always remained distant and controlled. Now, she’s laying herself bare in a way she never has before.

“I’ve... fallen in love with you,”

she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. There’s no trace of hesitation now, only an undeniable truth that resonates in the quiet space between you two. The words hang in the air, heavy with their own gravity, but her gaze is steady, waiting for your response.