Divorce 219
"Yasmine, I don't know," Yonas said, avoiding her gaze.
Just by looking at Yonas's expression, Yasmine could already guess most of it. His refusal to explain was the real answer. Since he wouldn't say, Yasmine didn't want to press him.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
"Since you don't want to answer my question, I won't ask you again. But Yonas, I won't give up," Yasmine said seriously. Whether it was the photo last time or the bracelet this time, Yasmine was beginning to doubt her memory a lot. Yonas was never going to tell her. Morgan didn't need to think much; right now, her only lead was Yoselin. She sought out Yoselin once again, and when she showed her the bracelet, Yoselin also found it completely unfamiliar.
"Yasmine, could it be that the clerk got it wrong? After all, you only heard a last name, and according to what the store clerk said, the customer's name should be confidential. How could they just easily tell you the buyer's information?"
Yasmine nodded, acknowledging that Yoselin made a good point, which she had considered as well. But lately, strange things kept happening to her-not just jumbled memories but also the reactions from Morgan and Yonas. Even Irene seemed to know something while she, feeling like she was lost in a dense forest shrouded in thick fog, tried to light a candle only for someone to put it out.
"Yasmine, you shouldn't get too caught up with the past. Until everything is verified, all our assumptions are just that, including your current state of mind," Yoselin calmly reassured her.
Yasmine touched her forehead. "Yoselin, you're becoming so sensible. That's not like you!"
Yoselin looked at Yasmine proudly, "I've always been like this."
Suddenly, Yasmine asked, "Yoselin, do you think I need to find a therapist and try some hypnosis?"
Yoselin shook her head, "You're already a psychological expert yourself. Don't go looking for another one."
***
Paragon Hotel. Lucy parked her car and walked into the Paragon Hotel. Ever since her conversation with Chuck, she hadn't been able to stay calm. Even in her dreams, she couldn't escape thoughts of Chuck, the warmth of that night lingering in her mind. She specifically asked for Chuck's service. The owner was a bit puzzled and asked, "Miss, do you have an appointment?" Lucy shook her head, "No, I don't."
"Miss, Chef Chuck is one of our top chefs. You'll need to make an appointment in advance if you want him to cook for you," the owner said kindly.
Lucy gave a wry smile, "Is he in the restaurant?"
"Yes, he is," the manager replied respectfully.
"Could you ask him to come out? Tell him Lucy is here and wants him to cook for her," she said.
The owner gave her a curious glance. Could they be friends?
Despite his curiosity, he still went to ask. Before long, Chuck followed the owner in. As soon as he saw Lucy, he was momentarily dazed. The last time they parted ways outside her home, he thought they might never meet again, wondering if Lucy would avoid him. But what he hadn't expected was for her to show up here, surely just for him.
"This is my... friend," he said, a bit awkward.
The owner finally understood and left the space for the two of them.
Chuck sat across from Lucy. This was their second awkward meeting, "Lucy."
"Coward! Scaredy-cat! Why didn't you answer my questions last time?" Lucy's eyes were tinged with redness. Ever since she got home that day, she's been feeling uneasy, thinking over and over but unable to figure out what Chuck truly meant. Today, lost in thought, she accidentally wandered in.
"Lucy, it's not that I don't want to answer, but I just don't know how to," Chuck said dejectedly. He picked up a cup and placed it in front of Lucy, pouring her a glass of warm water.
Lucy, refusing to back down, asked again, "Why did you suddenly show up last time and make me break up?"
Chuck's fingers trembled slightly, "Because we already... it means you belong to me, and I belong to you."
"So, do you like me?" Lucy asked.
Chuck suddenly lifted his head, staring at Lucy in astonishment, unsure of how to respond.
But Lucy shook her head, saying, "Still the same question, is it because you feel responsible, or is it because you like me?"
For a long time, Chuck didn't say a word. Just when Lucy was about to give up, he suddenly spoke. "Lucy, please don't leave. I don't know if I can say it's like... when I can't see you, I keep wondering what you're doing. Every night when I can't sleep, I think about you. But as soon as I see you, everything I thought I was going to say just disappears," Chuck said urgently. Lucy nodded, she understood. Chuck looked at her seriously and softly said, "Listen, I really like you."
"What did you say?" Lucy's eyes widened in disbelief, clearly not registering what was just said.
Chuck, with his usual good temper, repeated softly, "I said, I like you."
"I'm embarrassed!" Lucy's eyes widened, and she suddenly covered her face, feeling her cheeks flush hot. She quickly escaped from the Paragon Hotel.
This time, it was Chuck's turn to stare blankly at her as she walked further and further away. He forced a bitter smile, unsure if Lucy was shy or didn't want to accept his feelings.
In the mental hospital, Helen was no longer her arrogant self. She seemed to have undergone some major event. It was simple; it was because of the things her parents said to her. She curled up in a corner, once so picky about every dish when she ordered food. Now, she just shrank away. She couldn't believe Selena would treat her like that, couldn't believe her own mother would push her into the abyss.
Helen had always been pampered, yet this time, because Yvette was pregnant, Selena intended to make her the scapegoat. That was her mother, and hearing such words made her feel a suffocating pain. But no matter what, Selena was gone, and there was no way Xavier and her mother would let her out. To escape this miserable place, there was only one way.
The night was eerily silent throughout the psychiatric hospital. All the patients had been given sleeping pills by the nurses, creating an uncanny calm. Helen reached into her pocket and pulled out a bottle of pills, which she had sneaked from Harper's pocket. It was a full bottle. She poured out the sleeping pills all at once and then barricaded the door.
She couldn't bear the thought of such a gruesome scene, nor did she want her mother, Selena, to feel any regret about it. Before her lay countless small pills, and she grabbed a handful, shoving them into her mouth. Helen believed that this time, her mother would surely regret it.