Chapter 206
Just as Eliana reached out to touch Isaac, he suddenly screamed in terror, “Ah! Fire… So much fire! I’m burning. Help me!”
“Isaac, it’s okay now. You’re safe,” Eliana said, trying to pull him into a hug.
Suddenly, Isaac scrambled off the bed, bare feet slapping against the floor as he lunged for the window, clawing at the glass. “I have to get out. I have to get out!”
Panicked, Eliana hit the call button before rushing to wrap her arms around his waist.
Within moments, doctors arrived and helped wrestle Isaac back onto the bed.
“Let me go. I’m burning alive!” Isaac cried, limbs flailing wildly.
The doctor had no choice but to administer a sedative.
As the sedative took effect, Eliana watched Isaac breathe steadily, then turned to the doctor with haunted eyes. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Likely post–traumatic stress disorder,” the doctor explained while checking Isaac’s vitals. “Severe trauma can trigger psychotic episodes. Just now, he thought he was still trapped in the fire.”
After the doctor left, Eliana stood frozen. She had thought last night’s horrors were unbearable, but now, she realized they were only the beginning.
Just then, as Isaac’s eyelids fluttered, he suddenly cried out, “Ellie!”
“I’m here,” Eliana responded to him instantly.
“Your diary… I kept it safe for you.” Isaac’s hands wandered to his bandaged abdomen, patting clumsily. “Where is it? Oh, under my clothes?” Mumbling to himself, he began tearing at the gauze until pain made him groan, and his face instantly drenched in sweat.
“Stop it, Isaac. Please, don’t scare me like this. I don’t need that diary anymore. I only want you to be okay.” Eliana collapsed onto the hospital bed, her voice breaking.
She was at her limit. In one night, she had lost too much. She almost wished she were the one injured, so she wouldn’t have to endure this torment.
That evening, Bernice entered Isaac’s room and took in Eliana’s haggard appearance. She sighed, “Ellie, you haven’t eaten or drunk anything all day. You’ll collapse if you do.”
She softened her tone. “Caring for a patient is a marathon, not a sprint. Go home, clean up, and eat something I’ll watch over Isaac.”
Eliana numbly declined. “Bernie, I can’t ask you to–”
“Be good, Ellie,” Bernice said firmly as she stood up and pushed Eliana toward the door. “I’ll hold the fort until you’re back.”
Weak from hunger, Eliana offered little resistance as Bernice ushered her out.
Moving like a lifeless doll, Eliana murmured, “The doctor thinks Isaac has PTSD. Please watch him closely. He might try to jump.”
Bernice squeezed her shoulder. “Silly girl. Have you forgotten what I do for a living? Leave him to me. I know how to help.”
Eliana returned to Russell Manor. The moment she staggered into the living room, still in her nightgown and hair disheveled, a maid gasped, “You Mrs. Russell? What happened?”
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13.02 Mon, 23 Jan G D
Chapter 206
Eliana didn’t answer, trudging toward the stairs. Then, her foot missed a step. Anthony caught her just in time.
Eliana turned belatedly, her dazed eyes meeting his gaze.
Anthony asked, “Are you okay, ‘Eliana?”
“I’m fine.” Eliana tried to go upstairs.
But Anthony’s grip tightened. “Your legs are shaking. That’s not fine.” For once, he couldn’t even tell if his concern was real or performative.
The next instant, he scooped her into his arms, ignoring her weak struggles, and carried her upstairs. Her bedroom door flew open under his kick, and he placed her on the bed.
Eliana glared up at him. “What the hell are you doing?”
AD
