"What was that? Sorry, I didn't catch it." The shrink shook her head, "Nothing major, let's start with medication and see how it goes. Does that work for you, Mr. Lopez and Ms. Sanchez?" Everett stood by Dorothy's side, his hand firmly clasping hers as if to transfer his strength to her, "That's fine, whatever it takes to get her well again." The shrink smiled, her response seemed to be loaded with subtexts, "Curing this illness indeed requires quite a bit from you, Mr. Lopez." Leaving the shrink and getting into the car, Dorothy kept gazing out of the window and was lost in her thoughts.
As they neared the hotel, she suddenly grasped Everett's hand, "Can she really cure me?" "Of course," he replied without hesitation.
After a brief silence, Dorothy said, "Let's... go back to the Bay Residence." Everett's voice was soft and warm, "Missing them?" She nodded, "Yeah." "Good, Abigail and Langston will be thrilled." Seeing the smile on his face, Dorothy mimicked it, though her heart wasn't in it. She didn't feel any joy at the thought of seeing the kids; in fact, she was even somewhat resistant.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThese were the very ties that kept her from finding peace! She didn't want to see anyone, including Everett.
But as long as she was alive, the show must go on, and freedom would remain elusive.
She had many roles to play and many scenes to enact.
Especially in front of Everett, she had to act normal, pretend she was living a typical life, and show that she had many things in this world to hold onto. Only then could he be at ease.
As for herself, she could only hope that the medication prescribed would really work.
Returning to Bay Residence felt like stepping back in time.
Upon entering, Abigail and Langston rushed to their mom, hugging and kissing her.
"Mommy! I missed you so much!" Abigail yelled.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Uh-huh." Dorothy gently touched her daughter's hair, but she was unable to reciprocate the sentiment no matter how hard she tried. Even Langston, usually glued to his computer, cover to inspect, "Mommy, dad said you were sick. Is it serious?" "It's not serious. I'm almost better." "That's great! Then Mom and Dad can be both around." Everett cout of the kitchen with freshly washed fruit and placed it on the table. Don't bother your mom Down too much, she needs her rest." "It's okay." Dorothy smiled, picking up Abigail, "What fruit do you want?" "Apple!" Abigail pointed at a shiny red one on top.
"Alright, I will peel it for you." She pulled up a chair, grabbed the apple, and the paring knife beside it.
The kids resumed their playful chase around the living room.
Dorothy forced a smile, but as she looked down at the knife, her body Be knife seemed to move on its own, her fingertips brushing against the sharp edge. It hurt, and she could feel it.
The blood that followed was visible to her eyes.
Yet, Dorothy felt no panic, no fear, only a peculiar sense of relief as if her entire being was immersed in comfort.
It was as if something tempted her to cut deeper and more fiercely, to let the blood flow more freely.
"Dorothy!" Suddenly- The knife was snatched from her hand by Everett! Dorothy looked up blankly, her vision slowly clearing, "I... I was just trying to peel the apple, and I accidentally..." "From now on, stay away from these things!"