Chapter 1918: I Killed Someone

After packing the picnic blanket, Lucian asked, "Was that Yuliana?"

Roxanne nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Don't worry. I can handle her. She no longer has the power to bully me."

"Okay." Lucian wasn't worried; his wife's demeanor had changed completely. Roxanne's abilities were strong enough to make her powerful, even without the Farwell family's support.

After packing up and returning to the manor's living room, Roxanne found Sonya and the chefs preparing dinner and offered to help in the kitchen. Archie and Benny chatted with Lucian about school, while Estella designed a gown.

Shortly after dinner, James arrived, his hurried manner evident. Lucian's heart sank at the anxiety etched on James' face. "What happened?" he asked quickly.

James looked crestfallen. Seeing no outsiders, he confessed, "Lucian, Mother's hysteria has worsened. She's become violent, and I don't know what to do. I came to ask Roxanne if she can help."

Roxanne and Lucian exchanged surprised glances. They'd never heard James mention his mother's hysteria. Elias and Sonya rushed over, inquiring about Yennefer Thompson's condition.

"What do you mean? Why didn't you tell us about your mother's hysteria?" Elias demanded, his anger evident. "You and your father have kept this from us for years! Why?"

James remained silent, his silence an admission. He then briefly explained Yennefer's long-standing illness. Hysteria, often considered a mental illness, was a disorder stemming from significant emotional trauma. Symptoms included dissociative and adjustment disorders; in dissociative states, individuals might lose their identity, experiencing self-doubt and uncertainty; in adjustment states, their temperament might drastically change.

"Mother's illness manifested about a decade ago. Therapy and medication helped, and she lived a fairly normal life. We even thought she'd recovered. Unfortunately, during a recent trip to Alendor, something triggered her illness, making it uncontrollable."

Lucian felt a lurch in his chest. No wonder James seemed odd when we picked him up at the airport, he thought.

Roxanne was equally stunned. It reminded her of Lucian's comment about James unexpectedly becoming a psychologist. Perhaps his mother's illness was the reason.

"What exactly happened in Alendor?" Sonya pressed.

Everyone was curious about the trauma that triggered Yennefer's disorder.

James' expression darkened; he blinked rapidly, as if avoiding the memory. After a pause, he confessed, "It was me. I killed someone!"

Shock rippled through the room. Sonya and Roxanne were momentarily stunned. Elias, however, quickly demanded an explanation. "Explain clearly. What circumstances led to this decision? Was it a dangerous situation? If you killed someone maliciously, how could you return?"

His words were also directed at Sonya and Roxanne, who snapped out of their daze, focusing on James.

"Yes, it was a robbery! My parents and I were on a wildlife trip to the grasslands when we were robbed by thugs. We gave them our money, but the leader wanted to kidnap Mother. In desperation, I used my gun…"