Middle Child Syndrome - Chapter 154

Chapter 154: Ch 154: Undefined relations
The talking session lasted for over two hours. The more Rika spoke, the more she had to vent out.

As Rika continued to vent, she experienced a profound sense of relief. It was a new and liberating feeling for her to express herself so openly, a testament to the safe space you provided.

She had even talked about this to the doctor but had gotten a straightforward reply about her doubts.

“It is easier to talk to someone you do not know well. Since I do not have a pre-image of you to judge you, it is easier for you to talk to me about anything. Don’t be shy and let yourself express everything you want to.”

It made sense in Rika’s mind, and she felt much lighter when she finished speaking it.

The doctor listened to Rika patiently before she clasped her hands together and sighed.

“All your concerns are valid. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. What you are going through is difficult, but I feel you will pull through somehow, kid. Now, I shall take my leave. You have my number, so call me for an emergency like today.” Your understanding and validation mean a lot to me, Rika thought.

Doctor Kureha shifted in her seat, and Rika finally realised how late it was.

Rika knew she should feel embarrassed for such an extended therapy session, but she felt content. It was a new and weird feeling that Rika did not mind being associated with.

“Kid, it is not easy to suddenly find your world turned upside down, but you are doing well. But you must also realise that rejecting parts of yourself is not a healthy mindset. If you ever need to talk about ‘that’ issue, call me as well.”

Doctor Kureha advised, and Rika avoided replying.

Rika had talked about a lot today, from her family to her feelings.

But there was one topic she never ventured even close to slowly turning into an omega.

The doctor understood Rika was not ready to speak of such things so soon.

Even Rika knew that she could not avoid it forever. But she would avoid that topic for as long as possible.

It was time for Rika to go and check up on Charon and the others from her dorm.

But her phone rang no sooner had she stepped out of the therapy session.

Emily was calling her, and this call did not feel like a coincidence to Rika. She felt that Emily knew exactly what happened but would pretend that she did not know how to get Rika to talk.

‘Should I pick up this call? I will see Emily soon even if I don’t pick up this call.’

Rika was conflicted but did not get a chance to decide when the phone call got cut off halfway through ringing, and Damian’s caller ID began to flash instead of Emily’s.

That call was picked up in seconds as a reflexive action, and Rika felt a little nervous when bringing the phone to her ears.

“Why didn’t you call us for help? Do you not consider us close anymore? It’s even been two hours since you went to the hospital. I had to call you because I could not hold back anymore.”

Emily sounded sad rather than angry, and the wetness in her voice made Rika’s heart clench.

It was likely an act to gain Rika’s sympathy and make her spill the beans about what happened. Sadly, it was working very well.

“I am not the one who is hurt, Emily. Calm down and take a deep breath. How about we talk it out?”

Rika offered, and she waited for Emily to answer her. But she only heard the sound of heavy breathing before her room’s door opened.

Emily stood on the other side with Damian behind her.

The other hospital staff stood behind the pair with a worried expression. They also tried to maintain their distance, which likely meant the alpha was stinking up the whole place with her scent.

Rika’s nose felt more insensitive than ever in the past month, and she could not pick up anything from the duo before her.

Emily looked angry as she entered the room, but Rika felt relaxed.

Her instincts refused to believe that Emily would hurt her. As expected, Emily did nothing but warp her arms around Rika and pull her into a hug.

“It must have been tough to deal with what happened. It’s fine! It’ll all be okay in the end. You don’t have to think about it anymore with us here.”

Emily assured Rika that the numbness that Rika had been feeling all this time had suddenly gone away.

Her arms warped around Emily before Rika could stop herself, and her nose narrowed in Emily’s neck to seek out her scent to calm down.

It was all very omegas behaviour, but Rika was not in mind thinking about it.

Nor was Emily in a state of mind to remind her about it.

Instead, the alpha seemed to relish such behaviour from Rika, and she even encouraged it by tilting her head toward the side and allowing Rika more room to explore.

Rika took that invitation to explore more. The feeling of being surrounded by all these pheromones made Rika feel sick.

Damian decided to join in the fun soon.

As soon as Rika pulled back from scenting Emily, Damian decided to drag his face all over Rika’s neck and lightly nib it to leave a fresh but shallow mark.

It felt possessive, but Rika could not bring herself to mind it.

She knew Damian was crossing several lines when he licked Rika’s neck, but she was scared of giving this feeling a name and defining it.

It felt good—even calming! Rika wanted to experience this feeling more and more. But simultaneously, she was afraid of how much she liked it and wanted to experience it again.

That was why she did not want to put a label on these actions and make things awkward for the alpha pair.

‘This situation…is acceptable! Even if it does not have labels, I can’t bring it to an end.’