“People with mental issues should really go to a psych ward, you know? Saves everyone else from getting hurt.” The crowd chimed in, nodding in agreement. “These days, you can’t even press charges if someone with a mental illness hurts you.”“Yeah, and they’ve got specialized equipment for treating mental disorders over there,” someone added.“You guys should move. It’s for the greater good,” another voice chimed in.The crowd had gathered to suggest that Eulalia should be moved out. Percival’s face darkened with each passing second. His hawk-like eyes glared menacingly, making the once-aggressive family members of other patients step back.“Whether she moves or not is none of your damn business!” Percival snapped. With his family’s wealth, he could buy the entire hospital if they pissed him off. Then they’d see who’d be rolling out.Percival’
Percival had always been arrogant, born with a silver spoon in his mouth. They say all roads lead to Rome, but Percival was born in Rome—truly a golden child.With talent comes ego, and everyone around him bowed to his whims. Add to that his good looks, high status, and charisma, and he never lacked for admirers.But he was emotionally detached, never desiring anyone—until he met Eulalia. A woman he thought he’d loathe for a lifetime, yet she shattered all his preconceptions.He believed she loved him to death, especially after four years of a dutiful marriage where she put up with his every whim.But now, someone told him that all of Eulalia’s affection was misplaced. She had mistaken him for another man.He had been enjoying another man’s love; Eulalia was never meant to be his.The thought was a gut punch, veins popping on his forehead. Pressing his temples, Percival leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to suppress the rage boiling within.“Don’t run your mouth around her a
Evadne stood under the sun, holding a thermal lunch box. Her face was flushed from the heat. When she saw Percival come out, her eyes couldn’t hide her joy, but she tried her best to suppress it.“Percy, I made some soup for you and Eulalia. It’s got your favorite veggies in it.”Percival looked her up and down before finally resting his gaze on the lunch box she was holding. It looked heavy.He took it from her. “You don’t have to bring this over anymore.”“I was worried you wouldn’t like takeout.”He’d been eating Eulalia’s cooking for a few days and had gotten used to it. Takeout just didn’t cut it anymore. But he couldn’t afford to be picky now. Besides, Evadne’s cooking wasn’t much better than takeout. It was a waste of time.Percival was a rational guy, good at time management and planning his day. To others, this made him seem cold and unlikable.“Do you want to come in for a bit?” Percival noticed the sweat on her forehead.Evadne forced a smile. “I’d better not. Eulalia might
Eulalia had been in a bad mental state for the past few weeks, mostly lost in a foggy illusion. She saw her deceased father and the unborn child she lost. Every time she thought about it, the pain was unbearable, so much so that she even considered ending her life during her therapy sessions.All this agony was brought on by Percival. She had initially planned to use the remaining year of her life to get back at him, but the man was like a fortress—impenetrable. Even with her burning resolve, she couldn’t melt his icy heart.She had overestimated herself and underestimated Percival’s cold-heartedness. She foolishly thought she could warm his heart with her touch, only to find out that Percival had no heart to begin with.“Percival, I owe you nothing. Or rather, I’ve paid back whatever I owed you, with interest,” Eulalia said.Percival acted as if he hadn’t heard her. “I know you resent me. I’ll make it
Percival could see that Eulalia was in a foul mood, so he changed the subject, "Do you want to hire a maid to take care of you, now that you're home alone?""I don't need one. I can take care of myself," Eulalia responded listlessly, sipping her soup with a lack of interest."You can choose the maid yourself. Having someone to talk to at home could be good for you." He genuinely cared for Eulalia's wellbeing, aware that her mental state hadn't fully recovered yet, displaying a tendency towards self-isolation that needed addressing.With his unavoidable obligations, he couldn't be by her side at all times. He hadn't been to his company for a month, leaving a pile of documents needing his signature and social obligations that required his presence.After her discharge from the hospital, Eulalia had changed; the once gentle and soft demeanor now occasionally erupted in unexplained fits of anger.Before her illness, a frustrated Eulalia would merely scoff at Percival, but now, she would r
Eulalia didn’t say a word, not even sparing Percival a glance.“Eulalia, didn’t you used to beg me to accompany you to social events?”“That was then,” she retorted.Back in the day, Eulalia was head over heels for Percival. Marrying him felt like hitting the jackpot, and she couldn’t wait to show him off everywhere they went.Eulalia thought her words would anger Percival. To her surprise, he stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable, before breaking into a gentle smile. “There’s a bidding event next week. You’re coming with me.”It wasn’t a request but a firm command, a way to quash her momentary rebellious streak.Percival, accustomed to wielding power, believed that a firm hand was needed when dealing with people like Eulalia. A slap followed by a sugar cube, so to speak. If that didn’t work, he’d keep slapping until it did. After all, who doesn’t remember pain?Eulalia shot Percival a sidelong glance, catching a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes.As they got out of the
(Content Advisory: The concluding section of this chapter includes graphic depictions of violence involving a rat.)Upon hearing that it was just some worthless fool, Percival couldn’t help but snort. “What kind of waves can a fool make?”Still, he didn’t like the way Vincent was looking at Eulalia. That gaze felt like someone was peeping into his hidden treasures, and just with that look, he felt like Eulalia was tainted.Vincent happily took the cake, but his mood plummeted when he saw that every kid around had one. He thought Eulalia had brought it just for him.Vincent had so much to say to Eulalia but didn’t know where to start. He was socially awkward due to his years of loneliness.Eulalia looked more worn out than before. He wondered what had happened during the month she was missing. Was she sick? Hospitalized?Before he could ask, he felt a piercing, icy gaze. Looking up, he met Percival’s
The scissors were all rusty, uncomfortable to hold, and slightly prickly against the palm. Vincent stepped on therat, his eyes turning icy. With a swift jab, he plunged the rusty scissors into the rat’s neck. Surprisingly, the worn-out tool pierced right through the rodent’s head, leaving a pool of blood.Vincent stared at the dead rat beneath his foot, his expression turning sinister.Eulalia, witnessing this, felt a chill run up her spine. It was eerie.Vincent emotionlessly picked up the dead rat with the scissors and tossed it into a trash can.He turned back to Eulalia, his menacing aura vanishing, replaced by his usual goofy demeanor. ”Lala, anything you’re afraid of, I can take care of for you. People included.”Eulalia saw a glint of something dark in his eyes. She couldn’t understand why Vincent could exude such a terrifying aura. A flash of fear crossed her mind.It was as if she had accidentally opened a cage, and inside was a ferocious beast now eyeing her intently.The ne