When Sarah left her bedroom, she found Zachary had already gone, leaving breakfast for two on the dining table.After washing up and eating breakfast, she applied burn cream to her leg while Mia was still sleeping.As she was pondering Mia's condition, her phone rang with an unknown number.She answered uncertainly, "Hello?"A soft laugh came through, followed by Jane's voice. "Forgotten my voice already? After yesterday's competition, I didn't get a chance to check on you. How's the burn?""Dr. Lawrence, it doesn't hurt much now, just still swollen. I just applied some burn cream. You're heading back soon, right?"Sarah remembered Jane was only staying for seven days, and today was the seventh day."Yes, flying out tonight. I have a panel discussion scheduled for early morning there.""So soon?" Sarah was surprised.Jane laughed, "Can't help it. There's so much to share from this trip, but the East Coast has many excellent psychologists and experts who've provided valuable in
This Mia was completely different from the confident, lively girl they'd met yesterday. Such a dramatic change in just one day."Could something have triggered this?" Jane asked quietly.Sarah watched Mia worriedly. "Yesterday when she saw my burned leg at home, she became like this. She was even more agitated then. She was terrified of everything, and it took tremendous effort to get her to sleep.""I think I understand. She must have been injured before. These are trauma responses, likely more psychological than physical. Past trauma being triggered, making her relive that environment and unable to escape it," Jane explained thoughtfully.But Sarah had a different concern. "If she's trapped in that past environment, shouldn't she be afraid of everything unfamiliar? Even with her brother, she shows some fear. But with me, she shows complete trust and dependency, even though we've only known each other briefly."She meant that Mia's trust and dependence on her didn't make sense.
She clung tightly to Sarah's arm, crying, as if this was her only source of security.Sarah let her hold on, wondering what Mia must have experienced to make her feel so unsafe."I'm here. Don't be afraid. I'm right here," she said softly.Mia gradually calmed down but kept holding Sarah's arm, her eyes darting around anxiously.Jane took a sip of coffee and checked the time. "Let me drive you both home - it's getting late.""Thank you, Dr. Lawrence.”Sarah and Mia got into Jane's car, and they quickly arrived at the apartment building.Before leaving, Jane told her: "My senior colleague will be returning to the country soon. He's a more experienced psychiatrist than I am. I'll mention you to him - he might get in touch.""Thank you," Sarah replied sincerely.As she closed the car door, Jane lowered the window for one last comment: "Your research paper is incredibly valuable. I've sent my questions and thoughts about it to your email. You shouldn't just be a counselor at Adams
“Mom! Our family only holds five percent of the school’s shares. The Reynolds family controls forty percent—nearly half. Do you really think the dean would risk offending them for us?” James’ tone was exasperated.And there was something he hadn’t mentioned yet: Lucy’s reputation at school was already terrible. She had been using the family name to bully other students for years, targeting anyone she didn’t like. Several promising students had even been forced to drop out because of her behavior.The dean had been tactful in his remarks, but the truth was clear. He had only tolerated Lucy’s actions because of the Chancer family’s influence. Now that the Reynolds family had stepped in, there was no way the school would continue shielding her.“As expected, everyone just bows to power and picks on the weak! What about my poor Lucy? What’s she going to do now?” Mrs. Chancer wailed, her voice shrill with despair.James’ tone turned cold. “Mom, you know better than I do what kind of rep
“You’ve completely disgraced our family! Especially with those ridiculous things you posted on the forums. I can’t help you anymore!” James’s voice was cold, his patience wearing thin. “James! Everything I did was for you!” Lucy shouted, her voice shrill with frustration. “That shameless woman cheated on you while you were married, yet you gave her so much money and even the house! She married you just for the money! I couldn’t stand her, that’s all! How dare she act so shamelessly and still take what belongs to our family?” “That’s enough!” James’ face darkened further, his anger barely contained. “This isn’t even about whether I can help you. Do you know who turned you in? It was the Reynolds family. No one can help you now. Reflect on your actions while you’re here!” With that, James turned and walked out without looking back. “Don’t go! James! You’re not allowed to leave!” Lucy screamed, slamming her fists against the door. Her outburst was short-lived as two officers q
Zachary continued answering softly, “Mia, it’s not too late. Look, I’ve brought you both out safely.”“Sarah, are you safe now?” Mia suddenly asked, her tone laced with unease.Sarah was taken aback but nodded reassuringly. “Yes, we’re all safe now.”“Good!” Mia pulled her bowl closer and began sipping her soup quietly.Zachary seemed momentarily lost in thought, his gaze distant.As night fell, Zachary tidied up and left. Mia went to sleep, but Sarah lay awake, unable to settle her mind.Her thoughts lingered on Zachary. There was no doubt—he was a perfect man.She could feel her feelings toward him shifting, evolving in ways she couldn’t control.The more she tried to distance herself, the more she found herself drawn to him.“Breaking news: Lucy Chancer, the daughter of the Chancer family, was caught cheating during Adams University's psychology competition by stealing exam questions and framing another student. After being exposed, she threw boiling water at one of the jud
James had just signed a contract at an upscale tea lounge, but his thoughts were elsewhere. The image of Sarah standing next to Zachary kept replaying in his mind, unsettling him.As he left the tea lounge, he noticed a long line of people outside a nearby dessert shop bustling with activity.His assistant caught his glance and explained, “Mr. Chancer, that’s Taste Avenue, a famous dessert shop here in East Coast City. People drive for hours just to line up for their treats. It’s become a must-visit spot, but their supplies are limited, so not everyone gets what they want.”Taste Avenue.The name stirred a memory.He remembered coming home from work one evening, finding Sarah excitedly showing off her latest purchase. The coffee table had been covered with desserts of all shapes and sizes.“James, look! This is their famous ice tart. I waited in line for three hours to get it. Come try a bite,” she said with a bright smile, holding the tart up to him.He had only glanced at her
Just as the two were busy in the kitchen, the doorbell rang.Mia got up to answer it, but as soon as she saw who was at the door, she backed away in fear and ran straight to the kitchen. “Sarah, there’s someone…” she stammered.Sarah wiped her hands on a towel. “Who is it?”When she walked to the door and saw who it was, she froze. Standing there was James.Her smile vanished instantly, her brows knitting into a frown. “James, what do you want?”“Sarah, is Mia staying at your place?” James hadn’t expected Mia to answer the door.But seeing Sarah in an apron reminded him of their life together, however fleeting those moments of domesticity had been.“Mr. Chancer, who I invite into my home is none of your business. If you don’t have a good reason to be here, please leave. I’m busy and don’t have time to stand around chatting with you.” Her voice was cold and clipped.James quickly raised a box of desserts he had brought with him. “I was near Taste Avenue today for a meeting and s
This time she used subconscious therapy again, but without including herself in Mia's mental landscape.Melvin had offered his office for Mia's therapy sessions. Sarah dimmed the lights.With Mia settled on the couch, just like at the university, they began."Mia, close your eyes. Imagine you're in a vast desert, surrounded by endless sand. In the distance, a tornado rushes toward you.""You feel gentle breezes, warm sunlight on your skin. You're comfortable, just growing tired, so tired you sink into the soft sand..."Mia's closed eyes relaxed, her furrowed brow smoothing.Sarah continued softly, "Deep in the desert, you see a camel. It runs toward you. Is it seeking help or trying to attack?""Attack. It wants to attack me.""Good. But you dodge it. Then hunters capture you. You scream for help. Someone comes. Who is it?"Mia's hands clenched. "Sarah.""No, not Sarah. Someone else. Who?" Sarah pressed.Mia's arms trembled with tension, but she insisted, "It's Sarah."Sara
He needed to take that step, to show Melvin he could protect Sarah."Could you take Mia with you?" Zachary asked seriously. "Her condition is more stable when you're around."Sarah nodded. She'd wanted to bring Mia anyway but wasn't sure if Zachary would agree."Okay. Melvin says we're leaving tomorrow morning. Bring Mia early, I don't think he'll refuse." Though Sarah wasn't entirely confident.Zachary kissed her nose. "I haven't kept my promise yet. I said I'd talk to Melvin, but now you're leaving before I could."Sarah cupped his face in her hands, smiling. "Maybe he's rushing because he knows you won't give up.""Sarah, trust me. I'll convince Melvin." He wouldn't surrender."I know."Zachary gazed into her eyes with burning intensity. "Sasa…” He stopped himself, swallowing his words.Before Sarah could ask, his lips found hers.He held her tight, as if trying to merge her into himself. There was a metallic taste between their lips.Sarah lost herself in this ocean of
Tears sprang to Sarah's eyes. "Zachary! What are you doing?"He whispered against her ear, his voice icy, "Why didn't you tell me? Couldn't you even make one phone call? Did you want to leave me?"Sarah looked at him, helpless but determined. "No, I don't want to go."Zachary released her and walked to the bed.Sarah sighed with relief, moving to sit on the edge of the bed, her emotions in turmoil."Then why didn't you tell me?"Sarah turned away, whispering, "I was afraid I'd cry."Without seeing him, she could be strong and brave, fearless.But one look at him made her want to depend on him completely. She wasn't even sure she could follow her cousin's wishes anymore.Zachary held her tight, breathing in the fresh scent of her hair, unsure whether to smile or maintain his stern expression.Finally, his cold facade cracked. Seeing her lips still red from his earlier kiss, he leaned in again.Sarah wrapped her arms around his neck, heat rising from her throat to her face unt
That short distance felt like miles. Knowing it would be hard to see Zachary again after she left, Sarah turned and buried herself in his chest one last time, savoring the moment.Back home, Uncle Shawn had left. Melvin sat on the couch, his face cold. Seeing her, he gave a bitter smile, "I know he was upstairs."Sarah dropped the pretense and sat beside Melvin, cautiously asking, "Why do you hate Zachary so much?""Hate? No, I despise him. I'm sick of him." His calm tone barely contained the underlying fury.Sarah was confused. In her memory, Melvin shouldn't even know Zachary. Where did this hatred come from?"Why?" she pressed.Melvin poured himself some tea, his gaze distant. "Sarah, Zachary's dangerous. Being close to him puts you at risk. You should end it before you're in too deep. Otherwise, you'll regret it."Sarah shook her head in frustration. "You can't just say he's dangerous without explaining why."Melvin slammed the table. "No explanations. We're leaving tomorro
Outside the police station, James watched Charlotte emerge, exhaustion etched on his face.The revelation still stunned him. He'd suspected everyone - Lucy, his mother - but never Charlotte. He'd been too confident in his understanding of her, too certain her kindness was genuine."James," Charlotte's voice quavered, her eyes red-rimmed as she reached for him. He stepped back, irritation clear in his movements."Just get in the car," he said flatly.During the drive home, Charlotte couldn't bear his silence. "James, please. I never wanted to hurt Sarah. I just wanted to... I mean, nothing really happened!""Were you behind those social media posts?" His voice was ice."I only shared the truth," she dabbed at her face with a tissue. "I know it was wrong. I won't do anything like that again. Everything I did was because I love you so much."James kept driving, his jaw set, ignoring her words.That evening, Sarah's phone lit up with a call from Mia."Sarah?" Mia's voice trembled.
"I can't believe Sarah has this kind of influence!" Lucy paced her room, struggling to process the revelation. All this time, she'd dismissed Sarah as a gold-digger after her brother's money."An heiress? Really?" She scoffed. "I thought her inheritance went to Melvin when her parents died."James slammed his hand on the desk. "Have you learned nothing? First Zachary Reynolds, and now the Sanders family? You won't rest until you've destroyed everything we've built!"He massaged his temples, regretting his decision to sign her out of Pyschiatric Hospital. If he'd known she'd cause this much chaos..."They started it!" Lucy protested. "Making ridiculous threats about ruining us in minutes. I couldn't just stand there!""Enough!" James snapped, his patience finally breaking. Lucy recoiled at his tone, fleeing to her room.Alone in his study, James stared at his buzzing phone - the Garnetts again, undoubtedly demanding updates about Charlotte. As if the company's crisis wasn't enough
Sarah's nose tingled with emotion as she leaned against the window, laughing softly, "You're acting like we haven't seen each other in ages.""It's been three days. Haven't you missed me?""I already told you," Sarah paused, then added, "Yes, I have."She longed to touch his face, rest against his chest, hear his strong heartbeat, hold his warm hand.Instead, she could only press her hand against the cold window, unable to bridge the four-story gap to reach his outstretched palm."Can't reach," she whispered.Zachary opened the passenger door, pulling out a pink teddy bear, “Do you like it?”"It's lovely, but I can't get it," Sarah said sadly."Try finding some string," Zachary suggested.Sarah searched everywhere, first her room, then the bathroom, nearly getting caught. Finally, she found some string.She lowered it from the fourth floor and pulled up the tied teddy bear, feeling like it symbolized her own situation.She was the one tied up, with Melvin holding the strings
Sarah understood completely. Earlier attempts to help Mia feel safe - trips to amusement parks, movie theaters, and various entertainment venues with Zachary - had shown little success.Though Mia's condition had stabilized, Sarah had questioned her treatment approach. They'd attempted hypnotherapy several times, but touching deeper memories triggered either episodes or blackouts. She hadn't dared use any more aggressive methods."Psychological intervention isn't about completely fixing patients," Scott explained. "It's about subtle suggestions. Like solving a mystery - providing small clues until they piece everything together."Sarah nodded thoughtfully, "Professor, would recreating the traumatic scene be too triggering? Has this approach worked in other countries?""Never heard of success with that. Don't attempt it," Scott warned."I understand. Thank you, Professor." Sarah rose from her seat."Anytime. Keep in touch if you need more guidance."At the restaurant's private ro
Sarah pulled out a stack of papers from her bag - Mia's treatment reports.Scott looked through them briefly before setting them aside. "Jane mentioned this to me in M. Country. Mia developed psychological trauma from a kidnapping several years ago. That's not unusual. What's rare is her subconscious time-space disorientation when triggered.""Based on her condition then, she likely had no one to trust. After witnessing violent scenes, her subconscious protected her by blocking those memories. However, when triggered, she returns to that state. The difference now is your presence. I see from the report that you and Jane theorized it's perception disorder - when feeling unsafe, she pulls you, her most trusted person now, into past scenes. While possible, your treatment approach has a fundamental flaw - it's actually a paradox.""A flaw?" Sarah looked at Scott puzzled."Yes. If she had no one to trust after the kidnapping, yet under stress chooses to pull you into that scenario - don