4
The doctor’s words hung in the air, silencing
the room.
Dad frowned, a look of disgust flashing
across his face. “What do you mean, Ashley
really is crazy? Then we need to lock her up!
What are you waiting for?”
The doctor glanced at me, but said nothing.
I smiled slowly. “Dr. Evans, long time no see.”
Dr. Evans gave a dry chuckle. “Ashley, it has
been a while. How have you been these past
two years?”
I thought for a moment. “It was okay until my
parents found me six months ago. It’s been…
like this.”
“As for today, I’m not happy.
”
My voice darkened involuntarily.
Dr. Evans‘ face crumpled. He looked around,
then suddenly asked me, “Where’s Buddy?
Why didn’t you bring him?”
I stared at him, my voice low. “Buddy’s dead.
They killed him.”
Dr. Evans gasped, turning sharply to Chloe
and my parents. “You killed her service
dog?!”
Dad became impatient. “Service dog? It was
just a dog! What’s the big deal?”
“Just take Ashley back to the hospital. It’s
your fault she’s out here running loose.”
Dr. Evans raised his voice. “That wasn’t just
any dog. It was a service animal, specifically
trained to help her manage her condition.”
Mom’s voice was even louder. “Nonsense!
Crazy people belong locked up! A dog can’t
do anything. Look at my daughter! She’s
injured because of this psycho!”
Dr. Evans retorted, “It’s no wonder she had an
episode after you killed her dog! You brought
く
this on yourselves!”
Mom and Dad’s faces darkened.
Chloe spoke up, her voice full of fake
sympathy and understanding. “Doctor, you
and my sister know each other, right? You
seem quite close.”
“There’s just one thing I don’t understand. If
her condition was so severe, how was she
discharged in the first place? And she’s been
back with us for six months and never
mentioned you.”
Her words were loaded, and several people in
the room exchanged uneasy glances.
Dr. Evans’s face twisted. “What do you know?
With Buddy, she was managing her condition!
<
And it’s a good thing she doesn’t want to
remember me!”
I scoffed, and Dr. Evans flinched.
Dad, the head of the family, finally made the
decision. “No matter what, take her away. I
don’t want to see her again.”
Dr. Evans was clearly conflicted. He didn’t
want to admit me, but he had to follow
procedure.
I said to him, “Dr. Evans, I’m willing to take
the evaluation.”
He looked at me in surprise, clearly doubtful I
could pass.
I just smiled at him. He didn’t know how
<
incredibly calm I felt.
Dr. Evans gritted his teeth. “Fine. I’ll conduct
the evaluation.”
The psychiatric evaluation was completed
quickly.
Dr. Evans looked at the results, visibly
relieved. “Your condition is indeed under
control. You don’t meet the criteria for
admission.”
Mom snatched the report from him, her voice
full of doubt. “She’s a lunatic! She trashed
our house and hurt my daughter’s hand.”
Chloe clutched her bandaged hand, her voice
low. “Ashley, I know you don’t like me. It’s all
my fault. I’m sorry I caused you so much
く
As she spoke, she dramatically collapsed onto
the bed.
Mom and Dad immediately rushed to her side,
full of concern.
Dad furiously pointed at me. “You just wait!
Even if I can’t lock you up, I’ll kick you out of
this house!”
I gave an ambiguous smile. “Really? I bet
you’ll regret that soon enough.”
An hour later, Dad stormed back into the
mansion, his face livid. “Ashley! You psycho!”
