The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 145

Ever since that last harrowing hypnosis session-when the nightmare had felt too real-Raymond hadn't set foot in Dr. Yates's office for weeks.

But the dream haunted him, gnawing at his thoughts, refusing to let him rest. Today, unable to shake the unease, Raymond finally returned, desperate to prove to himself that it had only been a dream.

He settled onto the reclined leather chair, letting his mind blur and drift. As the world faded, awareness returned—this time, inside a dilapidated apartment block.

He found himself in a grimy stairwell, the banister thick with dust, yellowing walls cracked and peeling, every surface stained and neglected. The corridor was choked with broken-down cardboard boxes and empty bottles, the detritus of lives long unkempt.

Raymond had grown up in privilege, shuttled between exclusive clubs and pristine mansions. He'd never set foot in a place like this, and the squalor made him wrinkle his nose in distaste.

Suddenly, a door behind him slammed open. The clang of metal against wall echoed through the hallway.

A gruff, broad-shouldered man stood in the doorway. His skin was weathered and ruddy, a threadbare winter coat hanging from his shoulders, and a half-empty bottle dangled from his hand. He jabbed a finger at a little girl-no more than two or three-his words slurred and venomous, spittle flying.

is eat. Get out! If you can't bring back any money today,

winter, or close enough; the girl wore a faded, patchwork parka so thin it barely

at the man, craning her neck with effort. "I'm hungry." Her voice

crouched down, and jabbed her forehead with

her, and she

"If you don't bring home money—if you let

stomach. She stared up

understand plain English?" he

that, the girl bolted

to reach a dining table. She'd barely run a few steps before the man

have shoes, and as she ran,

pain. She stumbled down the stairs—and then, suddenly, she slipped, tumbling

time, Raymond saw