Chapter 139
“What… what have you done?” My voice tightened as I spoke, the urge to move forward gripping
His skin was too pale, a bloodless, ghostly white that contrasted starkly with the dark crimson of his blood.
My breathing was shaky, my heart pounding with an unexplainable fear.
“Don’t come any closer…” He sounded frightened of my approach, scared that I would see him
as he was now.
He had been calling out for Phoebe in a panic, as if afraid of losing something precious.
“Stay away, don’t look at me…” Suddenly, he lost control; his eyes reddened as he turned and ran back to his room, slamming the door shut behind him.
I couldn’t just leave him like that; I followed and knocked, but he wouldn’t open the door.
His bloody footprints were a jarring trail on the floor.
Since my rebirth, I realized I’d never truly faced Caleb’s condition. I knew he had mental health issues, that he could be unstable, even dangerous–maybe even a murderer.
But as I got to know him, I saw he could be calm if not provoked. I hadn’t paid enough attention. So, his bloodied appearance was a shock to me.
Eric, who had seen Caleb’s breakdowns many times before, quickly called for the family doctor and forced the door open.
I tried to follow, but Eric stopped me.
“Maybe you should stay out here. Mr. Caleb might not want you to see him like this.”
His episodes left him in a pitiful state.
“What… what on earth is happening?” I asked Eric in a hushed, frantic tone.
Eric hesitated, then spoke softly. “When Mr. Caleb loses control, it can be terrifying. He gets urges to lash out, but he… he never truly hurts anyone but himself.”
The kindest of souls could harm themselves to maintain their sanity in moments of chaos.
And Colin was one such soul.
I stood there, stunned, as Eric went in to sedate Caleb, listening to his gut–wrenching screams that made it hard to breathe.
What pain must he endure to have transformed from a prodigy to… this?
Even from outside the door, I could almost feel his agony and helplessness.
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12:07
Chapter 139
Without thinking, I reached out as if to embrace him.
When I came to my senses, I was bewildered.
Why was I crying?
Tears had silently streaked down my face without me noticing,
After the sedation, Colin finally calmed down and fell asleep,
Eric, who had been panting from worry and panic, finally relaxed. He stepped out, looked at me and seemed to hesitate.
“Does this happen often?” I asked quietly,
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