Jessica grabbed Brian’s hand. “Still denying your insomnia?”

    10%

    Realizing he had been tricked, Brian wasn’t angry, just relieved. “As long as you’re fine. But don’t scare me like that again. You need rest.” His voice wasced with concern.

    “Stop dodging the question. What’s going on?” Jessica pressed.

    Brian sighed, “I don’t know. It started recently. I thought I could handle it alone. I didn’t want to worry you.” He had never tried to manipte her sympathy. With twins on the way, she had enough stress already.

    “I’m not worried,” Jessica huffed, though her next words betrayed her. “Insomnia isn’t trivial. You have to see a doctor tomorrow.”

    “No need. I’m fine. Really.” Brian instinctively refused.

    “It’s settled. Now sleep.” Jessica’s tone brooked no argument.

    Brian knew better than to resist. So he gave in without another word.

    The next morning, Jessica dragged Brian to the hospital. Yet after a full examination, the doctor dered him perfectly healthy.

    “See? Nothing’s wrong,” Brian smiled, clutching the report like a lifeline. Thest thing he wanted was to be sidelined from caring for her. After all, he had gone through everything to be by her side again.”

    Jessica wasn’t convinced. Studying his dark circles and the wless test results, she decided to take him to see Wesley.

    “Back again? I thought you were doing better,” Wesley remarked. Since Jessica had moved in with Brian, her sessions had stabilized to once a week, making this unscheduled visit unusual.

    “It’s not me this time. It’s him.” Jessica gave Brian a light shove forward.

    Wesley blinked at the unexpected patient but quickly recovered, “Sleep troubles?”

    Gaze zeroing in on Brian’s pronounced dark circles.

    “Yes. He has been an insomniac, Medical tests came back clean, so I suspect it’s psychological,” Jessica exined. Her recent dive into psychology had sharpened her instincts, though she deferred to Wesley’s expertise.

    Nodding, Wesley gestured to Brian. “Come with me.”

    Brian hesitated until Jessica nudged him again. “Go on. Don’t keep Dr. Finch waiting.”

    Brian followed Wesley into his counseling room.

    Inside the consultation room, Wesley offered Brian a seat, then started washing a couple of cups. “What would you like to

    15:56 Sat, 30 Aug 0

    drink?”

    “Water.” Brian’s tone was t.

    After pouring a ss, Wesley studied him intently across the desk.

    Brian shifted ufortably. “Just ask your questions. No need to stare.”

    “How are things with Ms. Granttely?” Wesley asked.

    $ . 10%?

    The question caught Brian off guard, but he answered honestly, “Good. Jessi’s in high spirits, though the twins are quite active.” A faint, helpless smile tugged at his lips.

    Wesley let him borate, knowing Brian would never resist discussing Jessica. Their dialogue flowed until Brian asked, “Dr. Finch, does this mean she’s getting better?”

    Wesley shook his head. “Not quite. Her mental state has improved, but you can’t neglect your own while caring for her.” Closing his notepad, he delivered the diagnosis. “Your symptoms point to early–stage anxiety from excessive stress.”

    “Anxiety?” Brian’s brow furrowed. He still didn’t believe there was anything wrong with him.

    Wesley continued, “Yes. You’re terrified of failing Jessica and the twins during her pregnancy, while also fearing she’ll withdraw again. That tension overwhelmed you.” He pulled out his phone and scrolled through it.

    23

    Brian watched, confused, until Wesley turned the screen toward him, disying thesements under histest tweet. Most of them were harsh–calling Brian fake, saying he didn’t deserve Jessica, telling him to stay away from her, and not to hurt her again.

    Brian’s breathing hitched sharply.

    Wesley noted the reaction, confirming his diagnosis. “You mentioned public disapproval, but her family, while displeased, hasn’t harassed you. So I guessed it was thesements.” He gestured to the screen. “Since when do you care about strangers‘ opinions, Mr. Atkinson?”

    Wesley sighed. The Brian he knew was impervious to criticism, yet here he was, crumbling under online vitriol.

    Brian remained silent.

    Wesley scrolled further. “For every hatefulment, there’s support. Why fixate on the negativity?”

    Finally, Brian spoke, his voice rough, “I used to not care. Buttely, some people who had gone through simr things warned me to give up. They said no matter how hard I try, bJessi /band I will end up apart.”

    Brian could never give up. After having experienced the happiness Jessica had brought him, going back to a life of loneliness felt unbearable. His hands tangled in his hair, shoulders slumping. “Dr. Finch, thosements choke me.”

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