Chapter 123
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When Sarah left her bedroom, she found Zachary had already gone, leaving breakfast for two on the dining table.
After washing up and eating breakfast, she applied burn cream to her leg while Mia was still sleeping.
As she was pondering Mia’s condition, her phone rang with an unknown number.
She answered uncertainly, “Hello?”
A soft laugh came through, followed by Jane’s voice. “Forgotten my voice already? After yesterday’s competition, I didn’t ge
get a
chance to check on you. How’s the burn?”
“Dr. Lawrence, it doesn’t hurt much now, just still swollen. I just applied some burn cream. You’re heading back soon, right?”
Sarah remembered Jane was only staying for seven days, and today was the seventh day.
“Yes, flying out tonight. I have a panel discussion scheduled for early morning there.”
“So soon?” Sarah was surprised.
Jane laughed, “Can’t help it. There’s so much to share from this trip, but the East Coast has many excellent psychologists and
experts who’ve provided valuable insights worth trying,”
Sarah glanced at the time. “Dr. Lawrence! Are you free right now?”
There was a brief pause before Jane replied, “I’m at City Hospital now. I’ll be free after this conference ends. What’s wrong?”
“It’s Mia… things aren’t going well. I’d like your advice.”
Sarah felt somewhat stumped by Mia’s current condition.
“Alright, I should finish around three. I’ll have an hour after that.”
“Thank you.”
After hanging up, she noticed Mia standing behind her, staring blankly.
“Mia, you’re awake?” Sarah wasn’t sure how much of the conversation she’d heard.
To her surprise, Mia just sat down beside her and started eating, without responding
“Mia?” Sarah called worriedly.
“Sarah, are they gone?” Mia looked around fearfully.
Sarah hesitated before answering, “They’re… all gone.”
“Sarah, we just need to hold on a little longer. Brother will come save us. Don’t let them hurt you.” Mia stared at Sarah’s injured
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leg with bloodshot eyes.
Only now did Sarah truly sense something g was wrong.
She carefully watched Mia. “Mia, who are ‘they‘? There’s no one here but us. You can whisper it to me no one will hear.”
But Mia just shook her head frantically. “No! I can’t say it! Can’t say it!”
Her voice grew louder, becoming increasingly hysterical. Sarah quickly calmed her, “It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything.
Just eat your breakfast, Mia. I won’t get hurt.”
Mia finally calmed down and continued eating her sandwich, though her eyes still darted fearfully around the room as if
monsters might jump out at any moment.
Sarah was relieved that at least Mia was calmer now, unlike her frantic state yesterday.
Near 3 PM, Sarah took Mia to City Hospital. They met Jane just as she finished her event, and found a café near the hospital
entrance.
Jane’s assistant waited outside while they sat in a private room where a server brought three coffees.
Mia nervously clutched Sarah’s clothes, head down, staring at the coffee on the table.
Jane observed Mia curiously. She’d never seen Mia during an episode before – when Zachary had sought her help for Mia’s
treatment, Mia had always been stable, never like this.
