Chapter 96

I was caught in a whirlpool of self-loathing, trapped in a constant cycle of pain, detached from reality, and reaching for something without hesitation. Why did it hurt so much? Why did I feel so unbeatable?

“Elise, what’s wrong with you?”

I was finally broken down into that version of Elise, utterly…

Frederick noticed something was wrong. He gripped my shoulders tightly, his brows furrowed deeply. “Where does it hurt? Tell me.”

I shook my head desperately, trying to suppress the flood of memories.

He quickly shouted toward the office, “Doctor! Is anyone on duty?”

“Doctor Shr is feeling very well!”

He yelled down the corridor. Gabrielle’s face went pale as she bolted to find help. Staff rushed over from all directions. I was trembling, drenched in cold sweat, leaning weakly against the wall.

Frederick scooped me up into his arms. I felt a slight improvement, and just as I tried to straighten up, a sudden, powerful force ripped me violently from his embrace.

Before I could steady myself, I was slammed into a cold, woody-scented wall.

A rough-edged, icy voice rumbled from above.

I looked up and met Jonathan’s dark eyes.

His jaw was clenched tight, his thin lips pressed into a hard line, and his eyes blazed with cold fury as he glared at Frederick.

Frederick was caught off guard and staggered back a step.

After steadying himself, he locked eyes with Jonathan, tugged at his tie, and let the fury pour out. “Do you know she almost died just now?”

Jonathan’s gaze darkened sharply as he snapped his attention to me.

Frederick shot back, “You knew she was hurt, so why did you let her go back to the Ford residence alone? Do you even realize she almost drowned in the bathtub?”

Jonathan immediately tightened his grip around my waist. This strength was terrifying, like he could snap me in half.

“Is that true?” His voice was deeply suppressed.

I pushed him away irritably. “Even if it is, what does it have to do with you? Let me go!”

Jonathan didn’t budge. His arms felt like an unbreakable fortress, trapping me completely.

“Elise, I told you to rest properly, not cause trouble,”

“Shut up!” I raised my voice, unleashing an anger I hadn’t expected from myself.

Everyone froze, especially Jonathan.

His eyes, dark as an abyss, stared down at me, swirling with emotions.

I quickly turned my head away, unwilling to look at him anymore.

“I don’t want anything to do with you anymore. Even if I really drowned, it wouldn’t be on you.”

After all, when Alicia and I fell into the water together, he didn’t hesitate to save her.

Did he even care about my life? Now he was playing the hypocrite again?

Fragmented memories assaulted me, making my heart throb in waves. I’m certain my amnesia was tied to the pain I just felt.

It felt like my brain activated a defense mechanism, forcing me to forget that painful chapter.

Every time I thought about it, the pain was unbearable.

I figured my past self must have been hopeless to have so much suffering.

Though the memories of the past five years were still gone, the moment I saw Jonathan, that familiar ache in my chest let me know there was no way out.

So now, just seeing him would fill me with nothing but disgust and revulsion.

I couldn’t hold onto it; then I’d just let myself forget.