Read Online Tentyrian Legacy by Elise Walters - Free Book Online Page B

would
normally find the fountain beautiful as the nymphs embraced each
other and water spouted from the urns they held. But today, she
felt too jaded.
    As water from the fountain flowed into the
waiting pool of koi carp, Ari felt hot tears trickle down her
cheeks. She had never felt more alone. It was as if she really were
crazy. If she were to scream at the top of her lungs, no one would
really hear her. That pervert Howard probably had a fat check in
his pocket, while she was stuck in a hospital filled with anorexic,
drug-dependent, and mental people. What upset her most was that her
parents repeatedly ignored her explanation of what happened. They
just wanted it to go away, like her.
    In that moment, Ari determined to cut her
parents out of her life. She would never forgive them. It was true
she never liked them, but up until now, they were tangentially part
of her life. She tried to be a part of the family and at times even
wanted to. Ari had even accepted their obvious lack of love because
she believed she was to blame. Not anymore.
     

     
    While Ari was resolving her hatred, her
parents and Dr. Wilson discussed her situation. As Dr. Wilson was
explaining the benefits of the Transitional Living program—where
Ari could live at Silver Hill on an extended basis—a knock
interrupted their conversation.
    “Excuse me, Dr. Wilson. I knew you were
meeting with Arianna Parker’s parents today, and I wanted to
introduce myself.” It was Dr. Raad. The golden-skinned doctor in
his early fifties ignored the obvious look of displeasure on Dr.
Wilson’s face. He strode in confidently and extended his hand to
Gloria and Walter.
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Dr. Raad
said. “I apologize for interrupting, but I wanted to offer my
opinion on your daughter’s case.” “Well thank you, Dr. Raad. We
were just discussing next steps regarding her treatment. We were
talking about enrolling her in the Transitional Living program,”
Gloria replied, flashing a demure smile. It wasn’t beyond her to
flirt with a handsome doctor.
    “Dr. Raad is the neurologist who reviewed
Arianna’s brain scans,” said Dr. Wilson begrudgingly. He hoped to
have Ari’s admission forms signed and twelve months of treatment
fees on his desk by the end of their meeting, which Dr. Raad was
apparently determined to derail. A wrinkle creased Dr. Raad’s
forehead when Gloria mentioned the program.
    “That’s very surprising,” said Dr. Raad.
“I’ve been over Arianna’s file thoroughly, and I would think so
intense a treatment program would be unnecessary. With the
exception of her recent mishap, Arianna appears stable and quite
bright. A permanent living situation here seems needless. Her IQ
tests indicate she is already capable of learning at college-level
curricula, and her interview transcripts show her ability to
empathize and communicate clearly. I think it would be a grave
mistake to keep Arianna here when we risk derailing her schoolwork
and isolating her further. My understanding from the nurses and her
group therapy counselor is that in the short week since she
arrived, Arianna has become more withdrawn and deeply unhappy. I
would like to interview Arianna in person. However, my access to
her has been . . . let’s say . . . limited.”
    The two doctors eyed each other with
contempt. Dr. Wilson wouldn’t allow Dr. Raad to see Ari personally
and even forbade him from joining the meeting with her parents. But
Raad was not going to let Wilson subject a patient to an endless
treatment program that would likely do nothing. Raad needed more
time to analyze Ari’s case and what was happening with her neural
bridge. It could be the key to making her better.
    “Mr. and Mrs. Parker, it is entirely possible
that Arianna is not schizophrenic, despite her symptoms,” Dr. Raad
said plainly. Dr. Wilson looked apoplectic while the Parkers looked
confused.
    “But what about her medication?” asked
Gloria. “It has worked in the past. Not