Celine sat lost in thought on a hospital garden bench, letting the cold air brush against her face. She had just let out a long sigh when the sudden vibration and ring of the phone inside her bag startled her.
The screen lit up, displaying Betty's name. Celine immediately swiped the green button.
"Kevin, is your trial over?" Celine asked, trying to steady her voice.
"It's finished. Do you need me to come there and keep you company?" Kevin asked, his voice sounding attentive on the other end.
Celine shook her head slowly, even though Kevin couldn't see her. "There's no need. I'm being closely guarded by Leo's men."
"Oh, I see. And how is your mother? The surgery was a success, wasn't it?"
"It was, but..." Celine trailed off. She looked down, fidgeting with her trembling fingertips.
"But what, Celine? What's wrong?" Kevin's voice grew anxious.
"Mother has lost her memory," Celine said softly, her voice devoid of energy.
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line. "Memory loss? Did the doctor say there is any chance it might return?"
"The doctor said there is hope, but I have to take her back to places filled with memories." Celine sighed, her voice sounding weary and fragile. "The only place that truly matters is our childhood home. But that house was seized by the state long ago. It has probably fallen into someone else's hands by now."
"That house?" Kevin's voice suddenly turned firm, laced with a protective edge. "I will find out who the current owner is. Give me some time. I'll arrange for permission so you and your mother can visit."
Hearing this, the heavy burden pressing down on Celine's shoulders seemed to loosen slightly. "Thank you so much, Kevin. I don't know what I would do without you."
"And one more thing, Celine." Kevin lowered his voice, speaking with a calculated tone. "I've handled the legalities to retrieve your father's safe deposit box. I'll wait until you're ready. We have to figure out a way for you to leave secretly without being detected by Leo's guards."
Celine fell silent for a moment, her eyes staring blankly ahead. "It's too late, Kevin. Richard already took it."
"Richard Alexander? Leo's father?" Kevin asked in disbelief.
"Yes," Celine answered listlessly, her fingers bunching the fabric of her clothes. "He forced me to sign a power of attorney. I didn't have a choice."
Kevin let out a sharp, frustrated breath. "Damn it. I'm sorry, Celine. I was too late to help you."
"Don't say that, Kevin," Celine interrupted quickly, not wanting him to feel guilty. "This isn't your fault. You've already helped me so much."
"Don't ever feel hesitant with me. I will always be there for you, Celine," Kevin replied sincerely before finally hanging up.
***
Celine stepped back into the intensive care unit. Inside, a doctor and several nurses were busy monitoring the screens displaying her mother's vital signs. The silence of the room was broken only by the monotonous, rhythmic beeping of the machines.
Her mother lay there motionless. Her gaze was vacant, fixed on the ceiling without focus, as if her soul had departed, leaving behind a body that still breathed. The woman had become a shell, devoid of all initiative or desire.
"How is my mother's condition, Doctor?" Celine asked softly after the medical team finished their examination.
The doctor turned with an expression that was difficult to read, shadowed by a hint of regret. "There was damage to the frontal lobe during the tumor removal procedure. As a result, the patient will tend to be passive and experience delayed responses like this."
Celine's world felt as though it were crumbling further. Every day she lived seemed to bring no progress, only ruin upon ruin. She took a deep breath, trying to dispel the sadness tightening her chest.
"Regarding her memory, is there still hope for it to return?" Celine asked, still clinging to a shred of optimism.
The doctor gave a slight nod. "Regarding memory, the possibility still exists. The human brain sometimes has a miraculous way of recovering."
"Thank you, Doctor," Celine whispered sincerely.
The doctor gave a short nod of farewell and walked out, followed by the rest of the medical team. However, as the door opened, a greeting from outside made Celine's heart feel as if it had stopped beating.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Leo."
Celine flinched. "Leo?" The name made her fingers tremble instantly.
"Thank you for providing the best service for the patient, Doctor," a familiar baritone voice responded from the doorway. It was a cold voice, yet one saturated with authority.
"It is our duty, Mr. Leo," the doctor replied respectfully.
"There is something further I wish to discuss, Doctor."
"Certainly. Please, follow me to my office."
What is Leo planning? Why is he meeting with the doctor? Celine whispered to herself.
Their footsteps gradually faded into the distance, leaving Celine alone. On the bed, her mother remained motionless, trapped in an empty world, while Celine remained trapped under Leo's increasingly terrifying control.
***
Night fell.
Leo's car arrived at the house. Leo and Celine had shared the vehicle on the way home. As they stepped inside, a scene of commotion greeted them. Several workers were busy moving luxurious new furniture into the house.
In the middle of the crowd, Jane stood tall, directing everything with a dominant tone.
"Hi, darling. You're home?" Jane greeted him cheerfully. However, her cheer vanished instantly, replaced by anger when she saw Celine walking behind Leo. "Why did you come home with her?"
Leo wrapped his arm around Jane's waist, pulling her into a possessive embrace. "I went to the hospital. I just wanted to ensure her mother's condition was stable so I can finalize the divorce soon." Leo's lie sounded convincing, punctuated by a tender kiss on Jane's temple.
Jane's tense face suddenly brightened. A triumphant smile spread across her lips. "Really? I can't wait, Leo. I want to be your wife as soon as possible," Jane said coyly.
Celine could only look down, her expression cold. Her eyes briefly darted toward the couple, feeling a surge of sorrow she tried desperately to hide.
"Excuse me," Celine said flatly, attempting to walk past them to avoid further involvement.
"Wait! Who told you that you could leave?" Jane shrieked, her loud voice halting Celine in her tracks.
Celine froze. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking a long breath to steel herself. She knew Jane was capable of anything.