Gimson squinted, a look of caution in his eyes. "Why?"
"Can't you guess why I'm doing this?" Emily choked out, her voice becoming even more hoarse. "It's only been a year since we got married, and you have changed so much. Such a marriage won't last long at all. Instead of getting divorced later and arguing over child custody, it would be better... I hid the kids ahead of time. Yes, I am a despicable person, Derek, that's how despicable I am! I worked hard to give birth to four children, and I won't allow you to take them from me!"
Emily stormed towards Gimson, yelling hysterically.
Gimson frowned. "What's wrong with you? When did I agree to divorce? When did I want to fight you for custody? Don't be paranoid anymore!"
"You just want to steal the child from me!" Emily shook her head hastily, her face pale and weak. "Rose wanted to take away Ian and Aaron before. You're worse than her. You also want to take away Diana and Chris. You married me just to steal four children from me, didn't you? Derek, I'm telling you, unless you step over my dead body, I can never give up my children to you!"
"Calm down!" Gimson snapped helplessly. "I'm just having someone secretly keep the children safe, not trying to steal the children from you."
"No!" Emily's jaws widened as she shook her head violently. "You're lying to me, just like when Rose lied to me that Ian and Aaron were dead. You're all lying to me..."
Emily covered her ears and hissed, only to have Gimson wrap his arms around her. "Emily, I really didn't mean to take the baby from you. What exactly do I have to do for you to believe me?"
"Not until you call your assistant in front of me and forbid him to send someone to the side of the children!"
Emily grabbed him by the collar and said firmly, "If you dare send anyone after the children, I'll die right now!"
Gimson's brow furrowed; his patience was running out. "Okay, I'll make a call."
After a moment of silence, Gimson compromised by taking out his cell phone and dialing out.
Emily's strength seemed to have been suddenly drained, and she leaned back on the bed with weak legs. She felt her head spin, and her vision darkened as she collapsed in the office.
In the ward.
The scent of antiseptic water filled the air, and the rhythmic ticking of medical instruments resonated in the ears.
Gimson sat on the edge of the hospital bed, his gaze deep as he looked at Emily lying there. His eyebrows were tightly knit. He had always thought he had her wrapped around his finger, but now he realized things were not as simple as he had thought...
Suddenly, Emily began to struggle violently on the hospital bed, yet she remained unconscious.
"Don't... Don't hurt my child..."
"Give me back my child, Rose... Give me back my baby..."
"Aaron, Ian, I’m sorry. I didn't protect you..."
With a mix of sadness, anger, and pain, she curled her body into a tiny ball on the hospital bed.
Gimson pursed his lips, gently holding her cold fingertips. "I'm here. Don't be afraid. No one will take away your children."
Gradually, Emily settled down on the bed and slowly opened her eyes. She turned her head to Gimson, her eyes blank.
"I'm sorry, Derek..." Emily mumbled.
Gimson's heart skipped a beat. He returned his cell phone to his coat pocket and whispered, "Stop rambling and get well."
"I'm sorry..." Emily grabbed the hem of his coat, her voice hoarse. "After that night four years ago, I thought Ian and Aaron were dead. I've often been paranoid since then. I've sought treatment at the hospital, and the doctor diagnosed me with persecution complex and major depression."
She let out a bitter laugh. "When I found out that they was alive a few months ago, I thought I was cured. But I didn't realize... I'm sorry. It's my fault. My paranoia led me to send my child out of the country. I'm sorry, Derek."
Her sudden change in attitude left Gimson overwhelmed. At that moment, the nurse entered and readministered Emily's fluids. Emily leaned back against the pillows, drifting back to sleep.
"My child..."
Emily squirmed restlessly again, her voice filled with pain. Gimson walked over, taking her hand in his and whispering, "It's okay. It's already okay."
"No! Don't hurt them!"
Emily kept repeating the words, her face contorted in pain, drenched in sweat, yet unable to wake up.
On this day, Gimson once again pushed the door open as usual and found Emily still sitting on the bed, her eyes fixed on the window with a listless gaze.
When he entered, Emily slowly turned her head, and the corner of her mouth curled into a bitter smile. "Derek, is it true that my illness can't be cured at all?"
Gimson insisted, "Maybe those doctors aren't good enough. I'll try to find a better psychiatrist for you."
He took out his cell phone and casually checked online, then noticed a familiar name in the news.
Serena, a renowned overseas psychiatrist, had successfully treated a wealthy man with years of mental illness.
Gimson stared at the screen without saying anything.
"Serena is excellent," Emily remarked, her gaze falling on his cell phone screen. "I heard your mom say Serena is an outstanding psychiatrist. Maybe we can have her treat me."
Gimson stared at her. "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure," Emily replied seriously. "I just want to get well quickly. I want to live like a normal person—no more bad news, no more suffering, no more suspicions. Derek, please help me."
Gimson pursed his lips. "Okay, I'll contact Serena and see if she's available."
Once he left, Emily breathed a sigh of relief.
She leaned against the bed, various complicated thoughts flashing through her mind.
In the past few days, in order to play the role of a weak patient, she had severely starved herself, leaving her body weak. At the same time, she had been constantly thinking and calculating, which made her feel truly tired and exhausted.
Gimson returned quickly. "Serena said she could spare a couple of hours tonight. Is that okay?"
"Sure," Emily said. "Derek, thank you."