###Chapter 5
Just as I reached the bedroom door, Edwina's feigned concern came from inside, "I see my sister has suffered a series of blows and her mental state is deteriorating. It's dangerous if this continues… I happen to know a very authoritative psychiatrist; perhaps we should send her for systematic treatment."
In an instant, a flood of horrific memories rushed back.
As a child, I was locked up in a mental hospital by my father for refusing to accept a mistress and her daughter. Later, my mother went to great lengths to get me out.
The daily electric shocks, the kicks and insults from fellow patients, even being forced to swallow swill by the caregivers—I never wanted to experience that again.
I staggered to Renaldo, clutching his sleeve tightly.
I looked up, tears welling in my eyes, my voice filled with pleading, "Renaldo, please don’t send me there, I beg you. It's no place for a human being..."
If we could just delay for two more days, my uncle would be here soon.
Renaldo saw my trembling face and a part of his heart inexplicably softened.
He raised his hand, then stopped mid-air, "We're doing this for your own good. If word gets out that you're acting like this, what will become of the Robbins family's reputation?"
Seeing Renaldo waver, Edwina immediately added fuel to the fire, "Renaldo, if my sister delays treatment, she'll only become more insane. I'm scared."
I shook my head frantically, clutching his collar tightly, "No, Renaldo, I swear I'll listen to you!"
Renaldo's gaze swept over my face with complex emotions. Finally, he sighed almost inaudibly and wiped away my tears.
“Remember your words. If I find you hurting Edwina again, even just once, I will not let you off easily.”
I bit my lip tightly and obediently nodded. Seeing this, Renaldo told the unwilling Edwina to go back to her room to rest.
Only the two of us remained in the room.
He suddenly reached out and pulled me into his arms, his arms inexplicably tightening, “You’ve been tired lately. I’ll stay with you tonight. Get a good night’s sleep.”
Extreme exhaustion and mental exhaustion washed over me like a tidal wave and I actually lost consciousness in his arms.
In the middle of the night, I suddenly woke up from a disturbing nightmare. From the sofa came suppressed noises and the sound of water splashing.
"I should probably abort the child, so my sister won't hate me even more if she finds out."
"I told you, the only heir to the Robbins family is this one in your belly." Renaldo's voice was full of restraint, tinged with hesitation. "But she just lost her child and mother. Let's wait and see about dissolving the engagement later..."
"These legs, thanks to Auntie, are so flexible. I really want to cling to you like this forever."
My heart felt like it was being torn apart by an invisible hand. I could not believe he was having an affair with someone else right in front of me.
The obscene words mixed with unbearable sounds pierced my eardrums.
"You don’t need to dissolve it. We're no longer engaged!"
"Deana?" Renaldo suddenly noticed the slight movement on the bed.
He abruptly pried open Edwina's legs and explained towards my bed, "Edwina suddenly had severe stomach pains and just came over to ask me to rub it for her."
He thought the room was so dark that I could not see anything.
But the room was filled with a disgusting smell of perfume mixed with the pungent stench of lust. He was still trying to deceive me.
The burning hatred in my chest, the icy chill spreading through my limbs, intertwined into an impulse powerful enough to destroy everything.
I threw off the covers and jumped barefoot off the bed. “Renaldo, let’s break off the engagement. Congratulations, you no longer have to sneak around.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Hearing my footsteps towards the door, his tone suddenly filled with offended anger. “Deana, listen to me clearly, in this lifetime, unless I say it’s over, you have no right to utter the words ‘break up’!”
“We’ll see.” I gripped the cold doorknob.
“Where are you going?!” His voice suddenly sharpened, carrying an undeniable pressure.
I turned around, a cold smile appearing in the dim light filtering into the hallway, “To the police station to report you and your murderous mistress.”
I opened the door. But as soon as I stepped out, a sharp pain shot through my neck.
Turning around in disbelief, Renaldo plunged a syringe into my skin, "Looks like I have no choice but to send you to a mental hospital."
"You can not...do this to me..."
"I can, Deana, I can." Boundless darkness swallowed everything.
