At that moment, the ward was permeated with the smell of disinfectant.
Kingsley, with a pallid face, clicked on the video. His deep-set eyes flickered with a faint light.
Carl poured a cup of warm boiled water and stood by the hospital bed, clutching the medicine bottle. "Kingsley, it's time to take your medicine. And she's fine, so please don't worry."
However, Kingsley ignored him.
He replayed the video that the staff had sent repeatedly, his gaze fixated on Charlotte's gentle face on the screen. Yet, when he saw Charlotte chatting happily with Ben on the grass, and Ben reaching out to touch her arm, his breath caught, his eyes instantly reddening.
It was as if the beast in his heart, long suppressed, was about to break free.
Carl noticed his expression shift.
"Kingsley!"
Kingsley remained silent, tightly pursing his thin lips. His hand, clutching the cell phone, trembled, fingers repeatedly clenching. Then, with a click, the phone screen momentarily went black. Dropping the phone, he covered his chest with trembling hands, breathing rapidly.
Carl, who had already set aside what he was holding, rushed to him. Seeing Kingsley's distress, he called out urgently, "Doctor!"
Meanwhile, at the rehearsal site, Charlotte finished her last scene and left with Sherry. Sitting in the car, she unconsciously held her chest, feeling an inexplicable pang of pain. Sherry, in the front passenger seat, chattered away, but Charlotte paid no heed, slumping in the backseat with a frustrated expression.
Charlotte lowered her head and took out her cell phone, her thoughts drifting to Kingsley. She had been preoccupied since he hadn't shown up for the past two days. She longed for news of him. Yet, Kingsley's private affairs were closely guarded, making it impossible for outsiders to learn anything about him.
Despite her hesitation due to Kingsley's avoidance, the unease gnawing at her heart led her to dial his number.
At that very moment, inside the hospital room, Kingsley's mania resurged with formidable intensity. Carl moved forward to restrain Kingsley, but was swiftly overpowered, landing on the ground as Kingsley's cell phone tumbled out of his pocket.
Without hesitation, the following doctors intervened, their actions practiced and swift as if they had encountered this scenario countless times before. However, Kingsley fought back like a wild animal, vigorously resisting and knocking several doctors to the ground, rendering them incapable of rising.
The situation teetered on the edge of chaos. Gritting his teeth, Carl prepared to rise when Kingsley's cell phone abruptly rang. Glancing at the screen, he was stunned to see a familiar phone number.
"Kingsley!" Carl exclaimed, a mix of shock and relief in his hurried voice. "It's her! Charlotte!"
Charlotte's name echoed in Kingsley's mind like a sacred chant. His flailing fist froze mid-air, a rare moment of lucidity and internal conflict flickering across his clouded eyes.
Seizing the opportunity, Carl swiftly retrieved his phone and presented it to Kingsley.
"Look, Kingsley, it's Charlotte calling! Do you want her to discover what you're going through?"
A sudden pallor washed over Kingsley's face, the fear in his eyes displacing the haze of confusion, leaving them clear and sober. Though his hand quivered as if to grasp the phone, he recoiled, taking a deep breath before speaking in a hoarse whisper, "You answer it."
Carl was momentarily stunned, but he complied, exhaling slowly as he accepted his phone and pressed the answer button, activating the speakerphone. Regaining his composure, he greeted the caller, "Hello, this is Carl. Who am I speaking with?"
"Carl?" Charlotte's voice on the other end faltered, clearly taken aback by his unexpected response. "Um, hello, this is Charlotte," she replied, a hint of nervousness in her otherwise pleasant tone. "I apologize for the intrusion, but I've been a bit concerned. Kingsley hasn't returned to school after helping me. Is everything alright? Could you please update me on his condition?"
Carl was genuinely surprised.
How did she manage to be so perceptive? To actually discern that something was amiss with Kingsley's body.
Before Carl could reply, his arm was seized by a strong, large hand, the grip so forceful that it nearly wrenched his hand. He couldn't help but glance over at Kingsley, instantly comprehending Kingsley's implication.
"Hello?" Seemingly noticing his silence, Charlotte on the other end of the line spoke up again, her tone tinged with anxiety and concern.
Kingsley's gaze shifted to him as well.
Carl remained composed and reassured, "Charlotte, don't worry. Kingsley's health is fine. Something came up at home over the past two days, which forced him to take a leave of absence. Thank you for your concern."
"Good. Thank you for letting me know about his condition." Charlotte on the other end of the line audibly breathed a sigh of relief.
Instead of dwelling further, Charlotte expressed her gratitude and was about to hang up when Carl interjected, "Wait, Charlotte. Can I add you as a friend on WhatsApp?"
Charlotte, a bit puzzled, responded, "Huh?"
Kingsley also glanced at Carl, his eyes cold and heavy with a possessive desire for exclusivity.
Carl rubbed his nose, feeling somewhat helpless. After all, he was doing all this for Kingsley's sake!
Under Kingsley's intense gaze, Carl quickly added, "You and Kingsley are partners in the drama. So if anything comes up in the future, you may still need to coordinate."
Upon hearing this, Kingsley's gaze softened slightly.
Charlotte still seemed surprised but responded politely, "Oh, okay."
After ending the call, Carl turned back to Kingsley and explained, "Kingsley, I thought it would be easier to contact Charlotte after adding her on WhatsApp."
Kingsley withdrew his gaze and nodded faintly, "Uh-huh."
Carl raised an eyebrow.
"I'll handle this myself," Kingsley asserted, his tone possessive regarding Charlotte. He retrieved his cellphone and settled back into the hospital bed to rest.
Carl didn't press the matter further and departed with the group of doctors. As he closed the door behind him, he was met with the doctors' disapproving looks.
"Carl, you shouldn't indulge Kingsley like this, especially knowing that any interaction with that girl would worsen his condition! You're crossing a line!" the attending physician scolded.
Carl glared back coldly, countering, "Didn't you see how Kingsley reacted just now? He calmed down."
The attending physician hesitated, momentarily taken aback.
Then Carl continued speaking, "This is the first time Kingsley completely calm down, without relying on drugs or tranquilizers."
The attending physician remained silent for a moment, still disapproving. "But during this period, his attacks have become more frequent, and it all comes down to that girl! For the sake of his physical and mental well-being, I don't recommend him having frequent contact with her again. If you insist on being stubborn, then don't blame me for reporting it directly to Kingsley's family!"
Upon hearing this, Carl's expression suddenly turned cold, and he grabbed the physician by the collar. "How dare you!"
The attending physician retorted agitatedly, "Anyway, if something were to happen to Kingsley, his family would never forgive us."
"The consequences of such actions would only be more horrific," Carl said in a deep voice, coldly glaring at him. "If you doubt me, go ahead and try it."
With that, Carl released his grip and left with a cold smile. The attending physician's face turned pale as he watched Carl's departure, unable to resist shouting, "You'll regret this! Your leniency will only lead to another tragedy!"
Carl's footsteps didn't falter, his back remaining resolute, though moments of uncertainty and hesitation flickered in his eyes.
Was this really going to happen?
But as he thought of Charlotte's smiling almond eyes, Carl's heart inexplicably settled.
Perhaps Charlotte would be the only hope in this tragedy.