That Summer Series by Lauren Crossley

WARNING: This novel deals with an extremely controversial subject matter. I would like to take this moment and advise you to read through the book's synopsis before deciding whether or not you would like to purchase. Thank you. “Why now?” My therapist asks, leaning forward in her seat. “What’s made you decide to talk about him now?" I contemplate her question whilst gazing out of the window to my left, admiring the clear blue sky and the flowers in the garden. “Desperation, I suppose... moreWARNING: This novel deals with an extremely controversial subject matter. I would like to take this moment and advise you to read through the book's synopsis before deciding whether or not you would like to purchase. Thank you. “Why now?” My therapist asks, leaning forward in her seat. “What’s made you decide to talk about him now?" I contemplate her question whilst gazing out of the window to my left, admiring the clear blue sky and the flowers in the garden. “Desperation, I suppose.” I reply truthfully. “I still can’t get him out of my head. I guess I’m hoping that by talking about him now… all of this will go away. I’m praying that by talking about what happened, it will release me from it, release me from my memories.” “That makes sense.” She encourages me, smiling warmly. “There’s also the fact that I saw him yesterday.” I add, casually folding my arms across my chest as though it’s no big deal. “You saw him? You saw Cole?” She asks, unable to hide her shock and surprise from me. “Yes. I saw him at the park when I was on my way home.” She gapes at me in astonishment and concern, clearly worried about my revelation. She doesn’t quite know how to handle it and I can’t say that I blame her. "Are you ok? What was his reaction when he saw you?” “He didn’t see me.” I explain. “I’m pretty certain I’d be in the hospital right now if that had happened.” “You do remember that you should never, ever approach him, don’t you?” She reminds me firmly. As though I could ever forget… “I don’t really think I would dare… even if I am tempted.” “For your own safety and emotional wellbeing you must never do this, Serena.” She advises me, making a note of this in her notepad. “I know.” I respond vacantly, my mind already elsewhere. “Where would you like to start with all of this, Serena? What do you want to tell me?” “I suppose I should start at the beginning… that way you will understand. You will be able to understand what happened to me that summer.” I know I have to go back. I know I need to remember it all. How I first came to meet Cole and how he changed my life forever… He crashed into my world like a tornado, destroying everything in its path. He shattered my heart and made sure he was the only one who knew how to place the broken pieces back together. He made me fall in love with him and I had absolutely no control and no choice in the matter. I was an addict and he was my only drug of choice. That summer I was already in too deep, too far gone to fix it all. I had already fallen head over heels in love with him by the time I discovered the truth. The man I could not live without, the man I needed to survive was also something else. He was also my half-brother. He once said that I shed light on the darkness inside of him. He said I took the fragmented pieces of his soul and put it back together again. He said I made him whole and that I somehow managed to heal the part of him he had convinced himself was broken. He told me I was his hope, his future, his weakness and his strength. He eventually found out that I was his half-sister. Want to know the really twisted part of it all? He told me he didn’t care… *** This New Adult romance novel contains mature themes, scenes of violence, strong language and sexual citations. It is recommended for readers 18+ *** less

WARNING: This novel deals with an extremely controversial subject matter and I would like to take this moment to ask you to read part one of this series before deciding whether or not you would like to purchase its sequel. Thank you. "Are you ready to continue, Serena?" My therapist asks me, leaning forward in her seat with a compassionate and understanding expression on her face. "I suppose so... moreWARNING: This novel deals with an extremely controversial subject matter and I would like to take this moment to ask you to read part one of this series before deciding whether or not you would like to purchase its sequel. Thank you. "Are you ready to continue, Serena?" My therapist asks me, leaning forward in her seat with a compassionate and understanding expression on her face. "I suppose so." I reply brusquely, close to hating her for making me carry on with this when she knows how much pain it is causing me. "Is it alright with you if we pick up where we left off yesterday?" She asks me gently. "I guess." I answer curtly, folding my arms across my chest in a defensive manner. "Now we've already covered how you came to meet Cole and how the two of you first started your relationship. You have also discussed with me what happened when you both found out that you share the same father as well as the circumstances which lead you to run away with him." She exhales slowly, pausing for a moment so I can have the opportunity to respond to her statement. “I remember.” I reply coldly, staring at her intently. "What I want us to talk about today is the reason that you're here and the reason it's no longer safe for you to approach Cole." "He despises me.” I state firmly. “And I can't say that I blame him." "Serena, all of us say and do things we don't mean sometimes..." "Oh, he meant it." I assure her with certainty. "He looked me in the eyes when he told me that he despises me. He told me he won’t rest until he's made my life as miserable as I've made his. He said I ruined him and he intends to destroy me like I destroyed him." "When did he say this to you?" She inquires gently. "About six months ago.” I answer truthfully. “Serena, before we talk about what happened, we need to discuss the events which took place when you first ran away with him. I need to know what happened between you both when you left everything behind so you could be with him. Where did you go? What did you do? And how long were you together before the two of you were found?" “You mean before I called the police?" I demand angrily. "Yes." She replies patiently. "Five days.” I whisper softly, my anger decreasing when I remember those final days I spent with Cole. “We spent five days together before they caught up with us and before they took him away from me." "And how long was it before you saw him again after that?" "Three years.” I murmur quietly. “That's how long it took for him to find me." "And now he's searching for you again?" She prompts me. "He's always searching and I know he’s never going to stop." I remind myself, lowering my gaze towards the plush carpet beneath my feet. "And how do you know that?" She enquires softly. "Because he swore to me that he wouldn't and I believe him. He won't rest until I'm found and he won't find peace until he captures me again." "But what about you?” She asks, emphasising the importance of my own self and what I need. “What about your peace?" "Cole is my soul mate.” I state coldly, narrowing my eyes at her as I do so. “He's the other half of myself and I know it will be impossible for me to find completion until we're together again." "Even though the consequences of a life with him may be catastrophic?” She asks me incredulously, struggling to conceal the look of astonishment on her face. I take a moment to process what my therapist has just asked me. I close my eyes and try to picture the next few decades of my life alongside Cole. I then try to imagine the rest of my life without him and realise right away that there is no contest between the two. "Despite the misery I face with him, I still want him.” I say, speaking clearly and without fear. "I don't need a happy ending… all I need is Cole." *** This novel contains mature themes, scenes of violence, strong language and sexual citations. Recommended readers 18+*** less