Chapter 413 Bitterness
Back in the day, every time Dorothy ran into Susan, it was all about grilling her or throwing shade. Now that she was all quiet, Susan was seriously freaking out inside.
Soon, they rolled up to the hospital, and Susan got Dorothy signed up for the psych department. Dorothy headed into the consultation room, while Catherine and Susan hung out in the hallway.
Catherine was a nervous wreck and grabbed Susan's hand, asking, "Susan, you think Dorothy's got some mental issues?"
Seeing her mom all worried, Susan tried to calm her down, saying, "Mom, Dorothy's been through a lot. She just needs some time to bounce back. Don't stress, she'll be alright. Normally, she's tough as nails; she doesn't let anyone push her around."
"Yeah, but I can tell she really misses Amanda. And the Thompson family really went too far. They didn't even tell us where they took Amanda. It's like they don't want Dorothy to see her," Catherine grumbled.
"Mom, Dorothy gave up custody of Amanda and isn't paying child support. She got the house and a bunch of cash in the divorce. It's kinda understandable the Thompsons don't want her around Amanda," Susan explained.
Deep down, Susan knew Henry probably didn't want Dorothy messing with Amanda's upbringing. Dorothy's personality was way too intense. If she were Amanda's dad, she'd probably do the same.
"Dorothy messed up, but keeping a mom and her kid apart forever? That's just cruel," Catherine frowned.
Just then, the consultation room door swung open, and Dorothy came out clutching a photo of Amanda.
"Family members, come on in!" a doctor in a white coat called out.
"Coming," Catherine replied, then told Dorothy to sit tight on the bench in the hallway. She pulled Susan into the consultation room.
Sitting across from the doctor's desk, Catherine and Susan listened as the doctor said seriously, "From my earlier questions, it looks like the patient has severe depression."
"Depression?" Susan and Catherine exchanged worried looks.
They'd heard about depression. People with it are miserable all the time, often suicidal, and can't get anything done.
"Doc, how do we treat it? Is there any hope?" Catherine asked urgently.
The doctor paused for a moment and said, "Mental illnesses are tough, but not impossible to treat. The main thing with depression is the desire to die, so you gotta keep a close eye on her to prevent any accidents."
Hearing this, Catherine started shaking, and Susan quickly held her hand.
The doctor continued, "Depression patients need family support and care. Keep them in a good mood. There's a sanatorium in the southern suburbs of Maple Valley that specializes in mental health. The doctors and equipment there are top-notch, but it's pricey and the beds are in high demand. If you can swing it, having a family member stay with her there could really help."
"Thanks, doc." Catherine and Susan leaned on each other as they left the consultation room.
Seeing Dorothy slumped on the bench, looking all defeated, Catherine just lost it and started bawling. Susan, trying to keep it together, quickly handed her a tissue.
"Mom, don't cry in front of Dorothy," Susan whispered in her ear.
Catherine grabbed the tissue, wiped her tears, and, holding back her emotions, took Dorothy and left the hospital.
Back home, Dorothy went straight to her room, while Catherine and Susan sat in the living room, trying to figure things out.
"What are we gonna do now?" Catherine couldn't hold it in anymore and started sobbing into a tissue.
Susan felt a heavy sadness too. She never realized Dorothy was so fragile inside, to the point of getting depression. She knew this illness was a beast and had a high suicide rate, so she tried to comfort Catherine.
"Mom, right now, we just need to be there for her and show her more love," Susan said, not really knowing what else to say.
Suddenly, Catherine grabbed Susan's hand and said, "Susan, I know Dorothy's been rough on you, but you can't hold it against her. You two are sisters, and I need you to help her now!"
"Mom, how could I hold a grudge against Dorothy? Blood is thicker than water." Honestly, it would be a lie to say Susan had no resentment. Her eyes got a bit misty.
There were times when she was at her lowest and hoped her younger sister would help her, but instead, Dorothy had hurt her deeply.
Even though Susan had some resentment, she couldn't bring herself to hate Dorothy. Seeing her like this now, Susan felt really sad.
"It's great you feel that way. Do you think it would help Dorothy if Amanda could come see her?" Catherine asked, looking at Susan.
Susan knew Catherine wanted her to help. Maybe if she called Henry, he would answer.
Given the situation, Susan had no reason to hesitate and nodded. "I'll try to contact Henry."
Hearing this, Catherine nodded, looking relieved. She added, "And about that sanatorium in the southern suburbs of Maple Valley that the doctor mentioned, Susan, Seb has a lot of connections. He can definitely get Dorothy in there for treatment. Why don't you talk to him?"
Hearing this, Susan's eyebrows twitched, but she quickly nodded. "I'll talk to him when I get back."
Catherine actually thought Susan and Seb would soon have their wedding. Seeing Catherine so worried, Susan couldn't tell her the real situation to avoid making her worry more.
Seeing Susan agree, Catherine nodded.
Then Susan said, "I'll call Henry now."
Susan took out her phone, found Henry's number, and dialed it.
The phone rang a few times before someone picked up.
"Hello, who is this?" a woman answered.
"I'm looking for Henry. Does he still use this number?" Susan was a bit confused. Had Henry changed his number?
"Hold on a moment," the woman said, and then there was the sound of footsteps.
"Hello, this is Henry." Soon, Henry's voice came through.
Hearing his voice, Susan quickly said, "Henry, it's Susan."
There was a noticeable pause on the other end before Henry said, "Susan, are you calling about Amanda?"
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