17: UNDER THE FULL MOON: NAVIGATING SHADOWS IN LOVE AND TRANSFORMATION

The room fell into an uneasy silence, with Bob and I exchanging glances filled with unspoken tension. The doctor gathered his things and left us alone. Bob's eyes bore into mine, a mixture of frustration and vulnerability lurking within them. "Why did you call Julie?" he asked, his voice low and laced with an underlying anger. "I thought you might need someone... someone familiar," I stammered, my attempt to justify my actions falling flat. His face contorted with displeasure, and he clenched his fists. "I don't need anyone else. I need you, and only you." The intensity in his gaze made it clear that my attempt to involve Julie had hit a nerve. I took a step back, sensing the atmosphere becoming more charged. "You always do this," he spat, pacing around the room. "Whenever things get tough, you reach out to others. You never trust me to handle it." "I just wanted to help," I retorted, my frustration matching his. He stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing. "Help? By bringing s