3/3
Chapter 23
When did his relationship with Elsie become so fragile, like walking on thin ice?
Or had Elsie been pretending all along, and he was the only fool who believed her?
His heart sank instantly, and without looking back, he walked away?
After leaving, Elsie didn’t return to the hospital.
Ronald would certainly stay by Raina’s side, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to return..
If Raina found out they were now in the cooling–off period of their divorce, she might faint again.
After some thought, she decided to go to the sanatorium..
She had finally returned to the country, so she had to visit her only friend here.
Elsie arrived there in the afternoon.
As soon as she walked in, she was warmly welcomed. All the children rushed over, surrounding her with affection.
Elsie gently patted their little heads, smiling warmly and relaxed.
“Elsie? When did you get back?”
Bruce’s voice came from behind. Elsie turned to see his gentle, reserved eyes.
She smiled and signed, “I just got back yesterday. I came to see you today.”
“Haha, I’m honored.”
Bruce’s smile was refreshing. He took a few steps forward, rescuing Elsie from the crowd of children, and led her to the consultation
.room.
The room had a floral scent, and the overall tone was warm and peaceful, just like Bruce himself.
Elsie sat on the couch, and Bruce sat across from her.
Seeing Elsie in a good mood, Bruce carefully began to speak.
“It’s rare for you to come by. How about a hypnosis session?”
Elsie’s expression froze at his words. She instinctively grasped the necklace around her neck, rubbed it twice, and nodded lightly.
When she left the courthouse, Ronald had warned her not to regret it. She had sworn on her necklace that she wouldn’t.
Since she had been brave once, why not try hypnosis?
After all, Cedric would be with her!
Elsie nodded, signing softly, “Can hypnosis cure me in one session? Il be going back to Novaria soon. If it doesn’t work, I’ll have to continue treatment slowly.”
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Chapter 23
Bruce’s smile was as warm as & spring breeze. He leaned back on the couch, hands crossed over his stomach, and spoke gently.
“My clinic is in Novaria; I’m only here temporarily to help a junior with a small task. I will be returning soon. When you’re in Novatia, I can continue your treatment,”
“Really, Bruce? Elsie’s sign language was filled with uncontrollable joy, and a radiant smile spread across her face. “That’s such a
coincidence!”
When they parted ways at the airport, they agreed to be friends from then on. Without a second thought, Elsie drew Bruce’s name.
Seeing his name signed by Elsie, even though he couldn’t hear it, Bruce was still moved.
His ears turned a bit red, and he shyly looked away, avoiding Elsie’s eyes.
“Yes, Elsie, it is quite a coincidence.”
“Thank you, Bruce. Elsie signed gratefully, then lay down on the hyphosis chair.
Bruce held a pocket watch in front of Elsie, his voice low and soothing.
“You feel incredibly comfortable. Soon, you’ll go back to your childhood…”
Before he finished his sentence, Elsie had already closed her eyes, falling into a semi–conscious state.
The air around her was filled with an indescribable scent, like dust mixed with the smell of grass.
“Elsie! You mustn’t make a sound, understand?”
The man and woman in front of her looked at her anxiously.
Elsie’s mind felt like it had been struck, suddenly realizing these were her parents.
And she was in that forgotten memory.
She felt herself trembling, clutching the hands of the middle–aged couple in front of her tightly.
“No, I’m scared. Mom, Dad, don’t leave me!”
But the next moment, she was shoved into a small space.
Her mother’s tears flowed endlessly, like broken pearls.
She felt herself being held tenderly by her mom, as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
Warm lips pressed against her forehead, and a trembling voice whispered above her.
“Elsie, be good, okay? No matter what happens, don’t make a sound, beg you; please listen, okay?” The suppressed sobs in her mother’s voice made Elsie’s tears flow uncontrollably.
“Sweetie, I believe you can do it, right? Only when the police come can you come out. Do you remember? If you perform well this time, your mother and I will take you to your favorite amusement park. How does that sound? Her father’s voice was filled with reluctance but also unyielding determination.
Elsie felt herself nodding, her fear lessening as she began to think about what she would do at the amusement park.
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Chapter 23
Her head was patted gently.
The warm, broad stroke of her father’s hand dispelled her last bit of ear.
The hole in the wall was blocked by a cabinet, with only slivers of light shining through the gaps.
Through the gaps, she saw a group of burly men burst in, wielding sharp weapons.
She saw her parents fighting them, but they were quickly overpowered.
Before dying, her father struggled to block the cabinet gap with his body, shielding Elsie’s view.
Her mother used her last strength to lean into her husband’s arms.
Blood spread across the room.
The strong smell of blood filled her nose, but she covered her mouth tightly, her eyes filled with terrified tears.
But she didn’t make a sound!
Because she had promised her parents, and she had to keep her word
She still wanted her parents to take her to the amusement park!
Elsie felt her soul bound to this child. She wanted to scream for her parents not to leave her.
If they were to die, they should die together, not leave her alone in this world.“Dad! Mom!”
Elsie’s anguished scream echoed through the consultation room, and then she fainted as if lifeless.
Bruce immediately, anxiously, held Elsie in his arms, carrying her to the bed.
He was thrilled that Elsie had spoken, but also heartbroken by her ordeal.
He couldn’t imagine what had happened to this fragile Elsie to make her unable to speak despite her vocal cords being intact.
Elsie’s cries still echoed in his ears.
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