DENNIS
After a few weeks, when | didn't hear any sound coming from Amie's room anymore, | knew that something was
wrong.
| didn't hesitate to force the door to open and | found her unconscious. Around her were bottles of water and so
much junk food that | suspected that she must have sneaked out to get them whenever | was asleep. There were
also the crumbs of toasts and boxes of pizza that I slid into the room from underneath the door. | guess they
hadn't been enough.
I quickly took her in my arms, strapped Justin in the baby car seat and rushed her to the hospital.
After about an hour after she was taken in, the doctor cout. "She's extremely lucky that you brought her in
on time."
| wiped my hands over my face in relief, glad that this wasn't another announcement about a death.
"Right now, she suffered from severe dehydration, low blood sugar, and organ strain. If you hadn't found her on
time, we'd be talking about extrfatigue, organ failure, and possible psychological trauma right now."
I should have broken the door earlier than this, those were the words that cto me. I should have forced her
out and force fed her. | just thought she needed the tto grieve alone.
"So she'd have to remain here for a few days as we'd address her dehydration, stabilize electrolytes, and
manage potential organ damage."
Just then, Justin let out a coo in the baby carrier | had strapped to my front as | waited for the doctor. | looked
down and found him awake.
"Thank you, doctor," | told the doctor and then we walked to his office as he gave details of Ana's stay at the
hospital and further instructions.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
After a week, Amie returned home. For the first couple of days after she returned from hospital, she seemed fine.
She smiled a number of times and ate enough food and drank a lot.
| was relieved that she was getting better, until the day | caught her clumsily attempting to chug down a
thousand pills.
| had just left her for a few minutes to collect the lunch | ordered for us.
"Ana!" | flew at her. | hit her hand and the pills fell to the floor, scattering everywhere. "Ana, why will you do
this?" But she wasn't even listening to me. She had scrambled to the floor and was frantically picking up the
pills, throwing each batch she gathered in her mouth. | forced them out of her mouth. And she pushedaway.
"Let go! Leavealone," she screamed in my face. "Stay the fuck away from me!"
| staggered back and stared at her. And that was when | knew that nothing had gotten better.
She threw a huge fit, picking things and throwing them my way or at the wall as she screamed. Then she curled
around herself and her body quivered as she cried.
From that day onward, she didn't try to be better anymore. She cried all day and threw food on the floor.
Several times, I'd find her laughing by herself or talking to no one. If | should make my presence known, she'd
turn to me, shaking her head as she laughed. "Amie is so funny." Or her lips would be turned down, tears rolling
down her face, "Amie is so sad. She's unhappy. Let's go to her. Let's take Justin and go join her."
The second time, | caught her with a knife as she frantically tried to cut herself. Thankfully, she was using the
blunt side, so the blade didn't cut through her skin.
| managed to get the knife out of her grip. And she began to yell again. It was now her thing. If she didn't yell at
me, she'd yell at Amie's captors.
"Leavealone, you wicked man," she screamed in my face. "Since you don't love her, | do. | love her and |
want to go to see her and forever be with her."
The next night after that day, | made the hardest decision of my life. For her and Justin's safety, as there were als
times she'd look down at Justin and a distant smile would curl on her lips as she said to him, "Amie would be so
happy when she sees you, Justin."
After I'd successfully gotten Ana to sleep, | picked up my phone and dialed the number | had dug up during the
day.
"Hello?" a voice answered immediately, despite how late it was.
| swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. "I think my wife is struggling..." | cleared my throat. "She's been
hurting herself, and..." | trailed off, looking down at my hand on the table. "I don't know what to do," | admitted
aloud. The voice on the other end grew more serious. "Can | get your nand address, sir?"
I quickly gave her the information, my hands trembling as | spoke.
"What signs has she shown?" she asked, her tone professional but urgent.
| hesitated, trying to find the right words. "She's been... withdrawing. She lashes out for no reason. Talks to
herself and... today, she tried to harm herself, again."
There was a pause before the voice
spoke again. It sounds like your
wife may be experiencing a mental health crisis, sir. We recommend getting her to a psychiatric emergency
room as soon as possible, where she can receive
vel.
immediate evaluation and care."
"Okay," | answered, wondering if | was doing the right thing.
"If you want, we can send in our team to retrieve her tomorrow. The documentation process can be brought to
you, or you could cwith her and get it done."
| glanced at where Ana laid, curled around herself and then at Justin, far away from Ana in his cradle. "Bring the
documentation process."
"Alright." She toldthe tthey'd arrive. Then she added in a tone devoid of her professionalism, "You're
doing the right thing for her, Mr Dennis.
ork
The next day, watched her scream
as she was led out of the house. "Don't let them take me, Dennis!" She
cried and wanted to run to her and tell them that I'd changed my mind them
until she added, "Please, Dennis.
Amie's waiting. She's waiting for us."
ork
| rubbed my brows as the next person stepped in.
We exchanged greetings and | dove straight into business. "How would you ensure a safe environment for my
infant, and how would you handle an emergency situation?"
Though Ana didn't want a nanny, it's what | have to do. | couldn't continue to leave my job to my managers, and
| couldn't take a baby to business meetings. I'd also need to visit Ana occasionally. | cannot handle it all alone.
Just as I'd sought help for Ana, | was seeking help for Justin and I.
NovelEnglish