Chapter 2 The Mask

Emma couldn't get rid of the feeling: Something was off, as soon as Ryan left. She had practiced psychology for more than a decade, which had honed her observation skills. But there was something about Ryan that felt off.

The investigators were so covered up in this case that Emma thought it would be helpful to do a bit more looking into Ryan's background. She opened his file and started flipping through the notes. While reading, she realized that Ryan had been extremely vague about his past. He had said that he had grown up in a troubled home - the details were never specified.

Emma's curiosity was piqued. She dug a little deeper. She took out her phone and called a number.

"Hey, Sam," Emma said when her colleague picked up. "I need a favor."

"What's up?" Sam asked.

"I've got a new patient, and I'm struggling to get a read on him," Emma said. "See what you can discover about his background."

Sam said yes and Emma had hung up the phone. In the end even she could not shake the feeling that Ryan was hiding something.

Emma chose to run over her notes from the session while she waited for Sam to respond. She opened her notebook and started to flip through the pages.

Emma was reading, when she saw, which made her heart race a little: Ryan said he had been in a relationship in the past and it had ended badly. He hadn't been clear about the specifics, however, and Emma had suspected there was more to the story.

Emma's brain was whirring with possibilities. She was eager to learn what Sam had discovered about Ryan's background.

As Emma was getting ready to pack up her things and go home, her phone rang. It was Sam.

"Hey, Emma," Sam said. "I have some information about your patient."

"What did you find out?" Emma asked, her heart pounding in excitement.

"It's not good," Sam said. "Ryan is known to be a little bit of a player. He has a history of linking with different women."

Emma's jaw dropped at Sam's words. She had sensed Ryan was hiding something, but she had no way of knowing it was this serious.

"Thanks, Sam," Emma said, her mind whirring with scenarios. "I owe you one."

Emma hung up the phone, leaving her with the lingering sense that she had only hit the tip of the iceberg here. She was determined to uncover the truth about Ryan's secrets, at any cost.

Emma spent the whole rest of the day unable to think of anything but. She found her thoughts drifting back to Ryan and the things he wasn't telling her. She did not want to push her luck, but despite her latest lead she felt like she was out of her depth.

Emma's own past was on her mind as she drove home from work. She had always been attracted to unfathomable, difficult men, and Ryan was no different. But when Emma grew older, she learned she deserved more. She was deserving of someone who would love and honor who she was.

Emma drove into her driveway, her mind drifting. It wasn't until she stepped out of the car that she noticed the figure standing on her porch.

"It's Emma, right?" Michael asked as she neared. "How was your day?"

Emma smiled, forced the smile across her face. "It was fine, thanks. Just a lot on my mind."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Is there anything you'd like to discuss?

Emma hesitated. She didn't want to put her worry about Ryan on Michael. Besides, she didn't even know what she was up against yet.

"No, it's nothing," said Emma. "Just work stuff."

Michael nodded, but Emma could tell he found it hard to believe. She went inside and tried to forget Ryan. But that night, she couldn't stop thinking that she was getting old.

The following day, Emma was sitting in her study, waiting for Ryan to come. She had prepared for the session for hours, researching and reading through her notes.

Emma's heart leapt as Ryan strolled in. No, she was making a 100 percent effort to be professional, but she could not ignore the attraction that hung between them.

"Hey, Ryan," Emma said, smiling. "How are you feeling today?"

Ryan shrugged. "I'm okay, I guess. Just a lot on my mind."

Emma nodded. "Let's talk about it. What's been going on?"

Ryan paused, glancing around the room anxiously. Emma realized that he was struggling to open up.

"It's just...I don't know if I can trust you,' Ryan finally said.

Emma's heart went out to him. [She knew what vulnerability and fear felt like.

"I understand," Emma said softly. "But I want you to understand something that we trust in this room. You're safe here."

Ryan stared at her, his eyes searching. Emma could see fear and uncertainty there.

"Okay," Ryan said finally. "I'll try."

Emma smiled and felt a relief. She was determined to help and knew it wouldn't be easy.

Emma kept getting more and more interested in Ryan's world throughout the session. She had vowed it would be business as usual, but she couldn't help the connection she felt.