Chapter 96

I was caught in a whirlpool ofself–loathing, trapped in a constant cycle of snipple and pain detached from ite and reach tendit all without bestiation.

Why did it hurt so mach? Why did I feel so unbeatable?

“Elise, what’s wrong with you?”

I was finally broken down into that version of Elis, utterly

Frederick noticed something waLWINNE. • quipped my shoulders tightly, his bans forwed deeply. “Where does it hurt? Tell me →

shook my head desperately, trying to suppress the flood of ovensclimbing, memoties.

He quickly shouted toward the office, “Dected Doctor is anyone on any?

“Doctor Shr’s feeling very well!

He velled down the corridor, Gabrielle’s face went pale as she bonded to find help.

Statt rashed over from all directions. Ewastrembling, drenched Incold sweat, feaning wealdy against the wall

Trederick scooped me up into his amis. Helt a slight limprovement,and just as Luled to straightmup, a sudden, powerful force ripped me violently fromhis

embrace.

Before I could steady myself, I was slammed into a cold, woody–scented bold.

A rough edged, icy voice rumbled from above.

Llooked up and met Jonathan’s dark eyes.

His jaw was clenched tight, his thin lips pressed into a hurd line, and his eyes blazed with cold fury as he glaredatFrederick

Frederick was caught off guard and staggered backa step.

Aftersteading himself, he locked eyes with Jonathan,tuggedat histie,andlet the fury pour out. “Do you know she almost died just new?“

Jonathan’s gaze darkened sharply as he snapped his attention to me.

Frederick shot back, “You knew she was hurt, so why did you let her go backtothe Ford residence alone? Do you even realize she almost drowned in the bathtub?

Jonathan immediately tightened his grip around my waist,thisstugth was terrifying, like he could soap me in halt.

“Is that trar?” His voler was deeply suppressed.

I pushed him away imitably. “Even If it is,what does it have to do with you? Let me pol

jonathandidn’tbudge. His arms felt like an unbreakable fortress, trapping ine completely.

“Elise, I told you to rest properly, not cause trouble,”

“Shut up!” 1raisedmy voice, unleashing an anger thado“Lexpected from myself.

Everyone froze, especially Jonathan

His eyes, dark as an abyss, stated down at me, swirling with emotions.

I quickly turned my head away, unwilling to look at him anymore.

“I don’t want anything to do with you anymore. Even if I really drowned, it wouldn’t be on you

After all, when Alicia and I fell into the water together, he didn’t hesitate to save her.

Didheevencate about my life? Now he was playing the hypoctite again?

Fragmented memories assaulted me, making my heartthrob in waves. I’m certain my amnesiawastied to the pain I just felt.

It belt like my brain activatedadefense mechanism, forcing me to forget that palaful chapter.

Every time I thought about it, the pain was unbearable

I figured my past self out have beenhopelessto have so much suffering.

Though the means of the past five years were stillgone, the moment I saw jonathan, that familiar ache in my cliest lett me no way our

So now, just seeing him would till me with nothing but disgust and revulsion

I bouldn’t hold onto it, then I’d just let myselt torget