18

"Maybe you're ready to talk openly about your ghost now?" Knox asked, dipping his feet into the clear waters of the lake nestled in the heart of the village.

"Joseph again?" Elsa sighed, clearly irritated.

"Yes." Knox smiled, taking in her reactions.

"I've always been open about it. I've told you everything already." Her frustration bubbled over.

"No, Elsa... sometimes we feel like we've laid it all bare, but there's often something we’re missing. A tiny piece that becomes the most important link in the end." His gaze briefly rested on her, noting how captivated she was by his words. "We could talk."

"When you first walked into my clinic, I knew right away you weren’t even sure what you wanted... There’s a war inside you, between your heart and your mind." He paused, watching the color of her face change. Could Knox really know this much about her?

"You always ask, 'Why did you bring me here?' I brought you out of that environment where everyone lives for the approval of others. Here, it's time to figure out what you want. Is that spark in your eyes for Joseph genuine, or are you just pretending for the sake of appearances?"

Knox pulled his feet from the water and turned to face her. "Think about it. The decision needs to be made today." Elsa stared up at the sky, deep in thought.

"I'm leaving." He stood, shaking out his clothes. Elsa remained lost in her thoughts. He gave her one last glance and walked away.

"He's right... I wasn’t always like this." Now alone, Elsa began speaking to herself.

"But how could I be foolish enough to fall for a dream?" She shook her head in disbelief.

"Love?" The word echoed in her mind. "Could that be it?" She laughed softly, bitterly. She glanced around.

"Maybe... maybe it is love." Her voice held a tone of quiet acceptance, a realization that felt like a weight lifting.

"Oh God... no one else could be that lucky?"

"Looks like half the problem’s solved?" Knox's voice cut through her thoughts. He noticed Elsa walking along, her hand gently brushing the flowers, a smile lighting up her face.

"Maybe." She smiled back at him, a broad, genuine smile.

Knox was stunned by the shift. "Really? Tell me everything." He sat beside her on the grass, not caring at all about his clothes.

"I don’t truly know Joseph... and you probably think he’s somehow tied to my past, but he’s not. He only exists in my dreams, but it’s strange how real he feels, like I’ve known him for years. I tried to forget him, Knox. I thought that was the solution, but today, I realized something—I don’t want to forget him.

He makes me happy. My days go better, my mood lifts when I see his eyes in my dreams. I was upset, thinking if he’s from my past, why don’t I remember? And if he’s part of my future, why haven’t I met him yet?

You and my dad believe he’s a problem, that he’s hurting me. But he’s not. He’s my peace. I’ve been lying to myself, convincing myself that he’s the source of my pain, that I need to get rid of him. But Knox, if I never dream of him again, how will I survive?

How can I be happy without him in my dreams? I’m okay living like this. If it’s my imagination, fine. But this isn’t a nightmare; this is a dream I pray to have. What’s the point in getting rid of it if it brings me peace?"

Knox’s face softened as the realization dawned on him.

"Oh... so that’s it." He gave her a knowing look, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Looks like you won’t be making that mistake."

"What mistake?" Elsa raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Falling in love with Joseph." His smile lingered.

"Oh God... how much more do you think you know?" She blushed furiously.

"There’s no love involved," she insisted as she stood abruptly.

"Looks like my mission here is complete," Knox said, standing and brushing off his hands.

"What will you do now? Wait around for Joseph?" He teased, laughter bubbling up.

Elsa threw him a mock-annoyed look but couldn't help laughing herself.

"Of course." Her laughter filled the air, and Knox shook his head in amusement. For a split second, something flickered in his eyes—a glimmer of something deeper.

That night, Elsa slept peacefully for the first time in ages, content with her confession. But Knox? His thoughts kept him awake. This journey with Elsa had stirred something in him, something unexpected. He wasn’t the kind of man to fall in love, not easily. But Elsa?

She wasn’t just anyone.

His heart made that clear in an instant.

He swallowed a sleeping pill with a gulp of water, knowing full well that now, even the psychiatrist might need a psychiatrist.

At that moment, Knox realized just how much a person needs someone to confide in. Yet, despite the world being so full, we often find no one we can truly open up to. What fears keep us so bound?