Chapter 91: He Forgot
Vivian’s expression faltered. She looked at Sophia, her eyes dark and cold. After a moment, she let out a wry laugh, taking the book from Sophia’s hands,
“Consider it a story,”
“Clearly, it’s not,” Sophia replied.
I’m not the crazy woman in the book”
“But I’m a woman who appeared in Sean’s life.”
Vivian was silent for a moment, then her smile vanished. She spoke earnestly, If you want to know about his past, I can tell you.”
Sophia shook her head.“I can ask him. I don’t need to hear it from someone else.”
“What if he forgot?”
Sophia frowned.“What did you say?”
Vivian turned the pages of the book, sighing. “The male protagonist in this book, because of the car accident, lost his fiancée and suffered both physical and psychological trauma, developing a mental condition. He forgot everything about his fiancée, his past self. But it’s not a complete forgetting; the memories of the deceased suddenly resurface, tormenting him and those around
him.”
“You mean Sean…”
“I’m talking about the male protagonist in the book, Vivian said, shrugging with a faim smile.“You may not know, but even novels based on real events include artistic interpretation.”
Sophia turned her head, lowering her gaze. Her expression remained calm, but her heart was in turmoil.
So Sean had a mental condition. He wasn’t deliberately hiding his fiancée; he’d forgotten. That explained the strange behavior she’d witnessed, and Sophia’s uncle’s resentment towards Sean’s apparent cruelty.
“What was that paper you gave Sean last night?” Sophia asked.
Vivian raised an eyebrow.“I thought you’d ask about him and his fiancée.”
“I said if I wanted to know about his past, I’d ask him directly.”
“Fine. I didn’t really want to talk about it either; it’s a scar for me, too.” Vivian paused. “That was a psychological evaluation from a doctor in America. They recommended regular check–ups.”
“Why check–ups?”
“You don’t think he’s a normal person, do you?”
“Of course, he is.”
“Well, you haven’t seen him during an episode.”
An episode?
Sophia looked at Vivian, unable to imagine the scene.
Vivian let out a breath. “It’s terrifying. Even though I loved him, I had to let him go
Chloe came down the stairs, so excited she didn’t notice Vivian
“Sophia, I got the part! They want me!”
Sophia composed herself, pulling Chloe anide
introduce her
Hearing that Vivian was the screenwriter and producer, Chloe became nervous, bowing slightly to shake Vivian’s hand.
Vivian smiled at her. Ms. Lane, I look forward to working with you. Well that beer”
Vivian shook hands with Chloe then turned to Sophia..
“Mrs. Sullivan, see you later.”
She went upstairs.
Sophia saw the book still on the chair and picked it up.
“Oh, by the way, the book is for you, Mrs. Sullivan, Vivian called down from the stairs, her expression enigmatic.
Sophia put the book back on the shelf, smiling slightly. Thank you for the offer, Ms. White, but I’m not in the mood to read it right now.”
“Very well. The truth is often unpleasant.”
Leaving Vivian’s studio, Chloe was still thrilled.
“You don’t know how nervous I was. I even forgot my lines! But the assistant director was really nice, giving me time to calm down and redo my performance. I don’t think I did my best, but thankfully I got the part.”
Sophia responded but was preoccupied with Vivian’s words, hardly hearing Chloe. “Did you pull strings for me?”
“Huh?”
Sophia snapped back to attention. Believe in your acting skills.”
Chloe hugged Sophia’s arm. I’m confident in my acting, but in this industry, talent isn’t enough; you need connections. Sophia, thank you for being my connection.”
Sophia smiled. “My pleasure.”
Tree invited them both to his bar for drinks, but Sophia wasn’t in the mood, so she sent Chloe and went home.
Leaving the subway, Sophia walked against the biting winter wind.
She didn’t know how to face Sean–pretend she didn’t know or confront him? Pretending would be self–deception. Confronting him might shatter their lives.
How could she choose?
At the crossroads, the elderly woman rushed towards her.
“Ms. Ella, Ms. Ella, can you help me?”
Her hair was disheveled, her shirt wet, and her lower lip bleeding. She clasped her hands, pleading-
was bathing my son, and he… he slipped into the bathtub. I… I can’t pull him out.”
Chapte
Sophia immediately followed the woman.
The walk wasn’t short. By the time they reached a dilapidated apartment building, several minutes had passed.
Meaning her son had been underwater for at least ten minutes.
This….
“Why didn’t you ask someone else for help?”
Anyone would have been better than her running so far to beg Sophia’s assistance.
“No one would help me,” the woman said hoarsely. “They think we’re dirty, won’t even set foot in my house.”
The woman entered the apartment; Sophia followed.
A pungent smell of urine hit Sophia; the small apartment was crammed with junk, like a garbage dump. She understood the woman’s statement now; no wonder the neighbors avoided them. woman into the bathroom. Sophia quickly glanced around, hurrying after the
“Son, son, don’t scare Mommy!”
The bathroom was flooded. Sophia
was flooded. Sophia stepped inside and saw the bathtub, gasping, The woman’s disabled son was submerged, lifeless.
After the initial shock, Sophia helped the woman lift the son’s legs while she lifted his torso, pulling him from the water and onto the floor.
his
chest repeatedly, hoping
hoping for
a
miracle
She began CPR, pressing
pressing on Is he dead?” the woman suddenly asked. Sophia didn’t answer, continuing the resuscitation.
“It’s better this way. He won’t suffer anymore.”
Hearing this, Sophia looked
at
the oman, who was calm and
and composed.
Sophia’s mind raced.“Given his condition, you should have taken precautions when bathing him.”
I did it on purpose.”
Sophia froze, staring at the elderly woman in disbelief.
