At that moment, Julien was dreaming back to his childhood.
He went upstairs to call his mother for breakfast as usual.
Usually, when Julien knocked on the door, his mom would open it and smile at him.
However, this time, no matter how hard he knocked, the door did not open, which made him have a sinking feeling.
Julien then asked the maid to get the backup key and opened the door to his mom’s room.
Once the door was opened, Julien smelled a strong smell of blood. The smell came from the bathroom.
Julien's face instantly turned pale. He froze for a few seconds. Then he rushed to the bathroom.
The bathroom door was open. As soon as he reached the bathroom door, he saw the awful scene inside.
Her mother was lying in the tub Her face and body were splattered with blood.
She had one hand dangling from the tub, with a blade in it, and her other hand in the tub. The water in the tub was reddened with blood.
Julien's mother's body was stiff and cold. She was dead.
The scene had always been clearly engraved in Julien’s memory. Every year, on the anniversary of his mother’s death, the scene would come to his mind to torment him. He could never forget it.
Sometimes, in his dreams, even more terrible things happen, like today. Julien dreamed that his dead mother suddenly stood up from the bathtub, covered in blood, and slowly walked towards him and asked him why he was in her belly.
If she hadn't been pregnant, she could have left Flint’s family and been with the man she loved.
Then his mother strangled him with her bloodied hands.
Julien was awakened by the nightmare. He bluntly opened his eyes, his eyes bloodshot and his breathing short.
Sydney was startled by Julien's behavior. It took her a moment to regain herself. She gently patted Julien's face, "Julien, what's wrong with you?"
Julien seemed he hadn't heard her. He stared at the ceiling with lax pupils. His thin lips parted. He seemed to be saying something.
Sydney bent down and put her ear to his mouth to hear him clearly.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
'Sorry?' Sydney frowned. She was confused.
'Why is he saying sorry?'
■Who is he apologizing to?'
Sydney looked at Julien. He knew he was in a daze. He hadn’t fully woken up. She hurriedly grabbed his shoulders and shook him, "Julien, wake up!"
She wouldn't let him get stuck in a daze. It wasn't good for his spirit.
She had to make sure he came to his senses soon.
Maybe Sydney's shaking helped, Julien's pupils gradually came into focus, and his eyes slowly moved from the ceiling to Sydney’s face.
He looked at Sydney, and after a few seconds, he uttered, "Sydney?" His voice was hoarse and dry, like a duck’s.
Julien was surprised. He looked at her with downcast eyes.
Sydney also looked up at him with reddened eyes. "A few days ago, Grandmother told me that you fall into despair every year on this day and that you might hurt yourself. Do you know how worried I was when I couldn’t get through on your cell phone? How scared was I? I was afraid you were hurting yourself. I was afraid that I was too late. I was afraid that when I got here, I'd see your cold body!"
Hearing Sydney's trembling and choking voice, Julien knew he really scared her.
He lifted his hand and gently patted her on the back. His voice was still hoarse and dry. "I'm sorry..."
"Now you know you were wrong?" Sydney reached out and cupped his chin tightly in her hands and said with feigned anger," I'm not the only one you should apologize to, you should apologize to Grandma and Zach. They were both so worried about you. We were all worried about what you might do. Thankfully..."
Sydney's expression softened." Thankfully, I got here in time, and you were drunk. You didn't do anything stupid. Otherwise, you’d be in the hospital instead of the couch." Julien lowered his eyes. His eyes flickered. He didn’t say anything.
It wasn't that he hadn't hurt himself, but his physical condition didn't allow it.
He'd only had a few drinks, and his heart was burning, and he'd passed out straight away.
That was it! He was passed out, not drunk.
At that moment, there was a subtle pain in his heart.
But he wouldn't let her know about it.
Seeing Julien's being silent, Sydney sighed. She then looked into his eyes and suggested in a gentle voice, "Julien, shall we go see a psychiatrist?"
"A psychiatrist?" Julien muttered in confusion.
Sydney nodded, "Yes, a psychiatrist. Every year on this day, you lose control. I think you have a psychological problem. You witnessed your mother's suicide, and it left a shadow in your mind. Every year on this day, you become like this. If we go to a psychiatrist and let the psychiatrist help you, you can move on and accept it. And you’ll be fine."
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