Dr. Ray sensed something was amiss.
Edward took two steps back, his eyes filled with disbelief as he examined Mrs. Aldrich. "She can speak. I heard she spoke before"
Now it was Mrs. Aldrich's turn to be stunned. "I've never heard her speak... I thought..."
The door opened, revealing her left hand, heavily bandaged from the bite.
It was a gruesome sight...
How much pain must it have taken to do that with her teeth...
The doctor removed his mask. "Contact her husband."
Edward's brows furrowed as he looked down at her pale face.
Why was fate so unfair to her? What had she done wrong?
He turned to a nearby nurse, "Go fetch Dr. Hugh from the Psychology Department."
Not far off, Henry, Jocelyn's cousin, witnessed the scene with a smirk before disappearing into his office.
Later, Edward instructed Mrs. Aldrich not to contact Evan immediately.
Mrs. Aldrich could also sense the strain between the couple, not to mention... Evan’s affair.
Edward had to return to his department due to work.
The psychologist arrived promptly.
Zoe remained motionless under the covers.
"How is the patient?" Dr. Hugh inquired of Dr. Ray.
"Not good. She miscarried about ten days ago, refuses to communicate, and shows signs of self-harm. Look, she chewed her hand to the bone, did it herself."
Dr. Hugh nodded, signaling for them to step out.
He drew the curtains shut and sat by the bed.
"Can you hear me?"
The covers were suddenly thrown back, revealing her pale face. Her once animated eyes were now dull, her cheeks slightly sunken.
Zoe sat up, surveying her surroundings.
Dr. Hugh smiled gently, "Can I talk to you?"
But she seemed oblivious, fixating on the doctor's face, and moved to stand.
"It's okay, just a simple chat..."
A loud thud echoed as the IV stand toppled over. By the time Dr. Hugh reacted, she had dashed to the door barefoot.
"Mrs., what are you—"
Mrs. Aldrich felt a gust of wind brush past as Zoe, clad in her hospital gown, sprinted down the hallway.
Dr. Hugh rushed out, shouting, "Quick! Stop her!"
Zoe was transferred to the psychiatric ward.
She refused all treatment, reacting violently.
In just three days, she had wasted away, unrecognizable.
Mrs. Aldrich wiped away tears secretly.
Evan didn't visit once.
Mrs. Aldrich brought food to the hospital, only to find the bed empty.
The young nurse panicked, her eyes reddening. "She was here just now!"
They searched the entire hospital, but she was nowhere to be found.
Zoe had vanished.
Mention of this left Edward utterly dumbfounded.
Mrs. Aldrich hastily called Evan, the phone ringing for several seconds before a woman answered.
Tears welled up in her eyes. "Hello, I'm looking for my husband."
"He's busy now. Tell me what you need, and I'll pass it along to him."
"Okay, then tell him... his wife is missing, and he needs to come to the hospital." Mrs. Aldrich, unable to hold back her tears, broke down.
"Alright."
Edward resigned from his job.
A week later, Evan seemed to remember Zoe and visited the hospital.
The patient had already been replaced.
Did she go home? Why didn't Mrs. Aldrich tell him?
He grabbed a nurse and asked, "Has the previous patient been discharged?"
The nurse pondered, "Oh, not yet, she was sent to the psychiatric ward."
Evan's jaw tightened. "Psychiatric ward?"
