Jasmine sat with her hands clasped in her lap, her fingers twisting over each other in a nervous rhythm. Her therapist, Dr. Patel, gave her an encouraging nod from across the room, waiting for her to speak.
"I miss her," Jasmine finally admitted, her voice quiet, almost like she was afraid saying it aloud would make it more real. "I miss Cameron. And I know—I know I shouldn't be thinking about this so much. But I do."
Dr. Patel leaned forward slightly, resting her notebook on her knee. "Missing someone isn't wrong, Jasmine. It's human."
Jasmine let out a breath, one that felt like she had been holding for months. "I thought if I just focused on myself, on getting better, the feelings would fade. But they haven't. And the more time that passes, the more I realize... I never loved her the right way."
Dr. Patel tilted her head. "What do you mean by that?"
Jasmine swallowed, trying to piece together the tangled mess of emotions in her head. "I thought love meant keeping her close, keeping her with me. I wanted her to rely on me, to need me, because that meant she wouldn't leave. I never even considered what she needed. I only thought about what would keep her in my life." Her fingers curled into her palm, nails pressing into skin. "I don't want to love like that anymore. I don't want to control her or manipulate her or make her think she owes me something just because I love her."
Dr. Patel gave her a small, approving smile. "That sounds like real progress. Understanding the difference between possession and love is one of the hardest lessons to learn."
Jasmine exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and fear pooling in her chest. "I think—I think I want to reach out to her. Not to get her back or to fix things, but just to... let her know. That I see it now. That I understand."
Dr. Patel nodded. "What do you hope to gain from telling her?"
Jasmine hesitated. "Closure, maybe? Or a chance to show her that I've changed? I don't expect anything from her, but... I want her to know that the way I treated her wasn't love. And that if she ever wants to try again—" She stopped herself, shaking her head. "No, that's not the point. I just want her to know that she's free from me now."
"You're realizing that love is about giving, not taking," Dr. Patel said gently. "That's a huge step forward. And if you feel that reaching out will give you a sense of peace, then I think it's worth considering. But you have to be prepared for whatever response she gives you—whether it's acceptance, indifference, or rejection."
Jasmine's stomach twisted at the thought, but she nodded. "I know."
"Then let's think about how you want to approach this." Dr. Patel leaned back. "A letter? A message? In-person?"
Jasmine's first instinct was to show up at her door. That's what the old her would have done—forced her way back in, refused to take no for an answer. But she wasn't that person anymore. She wanted to give Cameron a choice.
"A message, maybe. Something small. Something that gives her the space to decide if she wants to respond."
"That sounds like a healthy approach." Dr. Patel smiled. "And if she doesn't respond?"
Jasmine looked down at her hands. "Then I'll accept that."
Dr. Patel studied her for a moment before nodding in approval. "I think you're ready for this. But remember, Jasmine, healing is a journey, not a destination. Reaching out to Cameron isn't the end of that journey. It's just another step."
Jasmine let those words settle in her chest, feeling their weight. She had spent so much of her life trying to hold onto things that were slipping through her fingers. But maybe real love wasn't about holding on—it was about letting go.
She left the office that day with a plan. And for the first time in a long time, it wasn't fueled by desperation or fear. It was simply a step forward.