Chapter 5

Three days had passed since the Diego incident, but the bruises on my wrist still hadn't completely faded.

I sat on the beige leather sofa, my fingers unconsciously tracing those purple-blue marks. My mind kept flashing back to that day—Diego's twisted grin as he slapped me across the face.

According to protocol, all trauma witnesses needed psychological evaluation.

Kane had originally insisted on coming with me: "I don't feel comfortable letting you face this alone."

But just half an hour ago, he'd gotten an emergency call.

"There's a breakthrough in the case. I have to go." He'd left an apologetic kiss on my forehead. "I'll wrap this up as fast as I can and come pick you up."

Sitting here now, I could still feel the warmth of his lips. For these past three days, Kane had barely left my side.

That protective instinct was so intense it left me both touched and slightly suffocated.

"Don't worry, Josie. I'm Dr. Tara."

The door opened gently, and a soft voice spoke.

I looked up and was instantly stunned by the woman before me. My blood seemed to freeze.

She appeared to be in her mid-thirties, with a perfectly proportioned figure. Her deep brown hair was immaculately pinned into an elegant low chignon, revealing a swan-like neck.

Her features were exquisitely sculpted. Especially those eyes—deep brown with an intelligent gleam.

This was the legendary Dr. Tara Seaver? She was even more... perfect than I'd imagined.

"I heard you've been through some trauma recently?" She gracefully settled into the chair across from me, her voice gentle yet carrying professional authority.

"I'd like to help you work through it."

My heart began pounding uncontrollably. She really was beautiful, and she looked so professional, so charismatic.

Kane had never mentioned what she looked like.

"Thank you, Doctor." I tried to stay composed. "It's just harassment from my ex that's made me a bit... anxious."

"Call me Tara." She smiled, that smile warm as sunshine.

"Kane told me you're very brave. He speaks highly of you."

Hearing her mention Kane made my breath catch. "Do you... work with Kane often?"

A subtle gleam flashed in Tara's eyes.

"We've known each other for a long time." She nodded slowly. "Five years ago, we went through a life-or-death ordeal together."

Life-or-death? My blood ran cold. Kane had never mentioned this!

"What kind of ordeal?" I tried to keep my voice steady.

"That time, Kane almost died in my arms." As Tara spoke, she unconsciously touched her waist.

"Fortunately, I was able to take a fatal bullet for him just in time."

My breathing stopped. My heart nearly burst from my chest.

"He... he never told me..."

"You don't believe me?" Tara seemed to sense my shock.

She gracefully stood up and slowly lifted the hem of her white silk blouse.

"Look at this."

Before my eyes appeared a vicious scar.

The scar stretched from her left side to her abdomen, about three fingers wide. Though healed, it was still shocking to see.

Against her flawless skin, this scar was particularly jarring.

"The bullet went through here." She caressed the scar gently, her tone carrying an almost tender devotion.

"For Kane, I nearly lost my life."

I felt the whole world spinning. Kane had never told me any of this!

"We've shared true life and death." Tara straightened her clothes, her gaze meaningful. "That kind of bond... is special."

"Kane never..." My voice began to tremble.

"Told you?" Tara sat back down, her perfect smile now carrying a sharp edge. "Some things, he doesn't tell everyone."

"Especially those who might not be around for the long haul."

Her words were like a knife, striking precisely at my heart.

"What do you mean?" I forced myself to meet her eyes.

Tara resumed her professional, gentle demeanor: "Josie, as a psychologist, I'm obligated to ask you something."

"Can a sensitive girl like you really handle the brutality of police life?"

"I can." I answered immediately, but my voice betrayed my uncertainty.

"Can you?" Her voice remained gentle, but each word shot at me like bullets. "Kane's work is full of danger. He could face life-or-death situations at any moment."

"He needs a partner who can fight alongside him, not a burden who requires his protection and divides his attention."

My hands clenched into fists. "Are you questioning my capabilities?"

"I'm stating facts." Dangerous light flickered in Tara's eyes. "Three days ago, you were scared out of your wits by a street thug."

"If Kane had been one minute later, you might not be sitting here."

Blood rushed to my head. How did she know these details?

"What does that tell you?" She continued, "It tells you that you're completely unsuited for this kind of life."

"Doctor." I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "I appreciate your honesty."

"But my relationship status doesn't need evaluation from outsiders."

A flash of surprise crossed Tara's expression, followed by appreciation: "You have more backbone than I expected."

She stood and walked to the window. Sunlight bathed her, making her look even more like a holy angel.

But somehow, I felt a bone-deep chill.

"However, backbone can't stop bullets." She turned around, her smile still perfect. "And courage can't heal trauma."

"Kane needs a woman who understands his work. A woman who won't become his weakness."

I stood up, meeting her gaze: "You think I'd become his weakness?"

"You already are." Her words were razor-sharp. "Right now he's not thinking about completing missions—he's thinking about protecting you."

"That kind of distraction is fatal in our line of work."

My heart felt like someone was squeezing it tight. But I couldn't let her see my wavering.

"If Kane thinks I'm a burden, he'll tell me himself."

"Will he?" Tara smiled meaningfully. "Men are always reluctant to face reality, especially good men."

"He won't hurt your feelings, but deep down he knows there's no future between you two."

Each word hammered at my heart. But I had to fight back.

"Dr. Tara," I tried to make my voice sound firm, "you seem excessively concerned about Kane's love life."

"That's beyond a psychologist's professional scope, isn't it?"

A flash of anger crossed her eyes, quickly masked.

"I just don't want to see a good cop ruin his career over personal feelings."

"I have a private villa in Malibu." She suddenly changed topics, her smile returning to perfection. "Very peaceful environment, perfect for in-depth psychological therapy."

"Come chat this weekend? I think we have much more to discuss in depth."

This wasn't a suggestion. It was more like... an order.

My instincts screamed danger, but outwardly I could only nod: "Alright, thank you."

"Excellent." Her smile carried a hint of triumph. "I'll send you the address."

After the consultation ended, my legs were shaking as I walked out of the station.

Every word from Tara echoed in my mind like a serpent's hiss.

She'd taken a bullet for Kane? They had that deep a relationship? And me... was I really just a burden who needed protection?

"Hey, beautiful."

Kane's voice suddenly sounded behind me, familiar warmth instantly surrounding me.

I turned to see him walking toward me. Still wearing his tactical vest, some fatigue on his face, but his eyes immediately lit up when he saw me.

"How'd the psychological evaluation go?" He approached and naturally wrapped his arm around my waist.

"You look like you're in a bad mood."

I hesitated. Should I tell him what Tara had said? Should I ask about that scar?

"It went well. Dr. Tara was very professional." I ultimately chose to conceal it.

But Kane's brow immediately furrowed, his gaze sharpening: "Tara? She sought you out?"

"What's wrong?" I sensed something unusual in his tone.

Kane was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head: "Nothing. Are you hungry? Let's grab something to eat."

But I noticed his expression had grown serious.

On the drive home, I secretly observed Kane's profile. That scar... the things Tara said about sharing life and death... were they true?

And me—was I really just an unworthy burden?

Outside the car window, Los Angeles's neon lights began to flicker on, but my heart grew colder and colder.

Kane suddenly gripped my hand: "Josie, if there's anything—anything at all—you have to tell me, okay?"

I nodded, but deep in my heart, that voice kept echoing: He needs a partner who can fight alongside him, not a burden who requires his protection and divides his attention.

I gripped Kane's hand tightly, but the unease in my heart only grew stronger.

The weekend Malibu appointment... should I really go?