Chapter 439 Psychological Problem
Elizabeth left the hospital and headed back to Whispering Pines Estates.
Susan had been waiting by the door and rushed to meet her as soon as she saw her return.
"Elizabeth, is Mr. Thomas okay?"
Elizabeth shook her head, looking worn out. "Nothing serious."
Susan helped her inside. "Elizabeth, you've been running around all day. You must be exhausted. I booked a massage therapist for you. They'll be here soon. You need to relax, get some sleep, and adjust to the time difference. You look so tired."
Elizabeth finally felt the full weight of her exhaustion and nodded, accepting Susan's suggestion.
Suddenly, the phone rang.
Fearing it might be something about Michael, she immediately sat up and answered it.
It was Sarah's voice on the other end. "Elizabeth."
Her voice was calm.
It was the calmness that made Elizabeth sense something was wrong. She quickly asked, "Sarah, what's going on?"
Sarah seemed to be smiling. "Nothing's wrong, Elizabeth. I heard the Thomas family old mansion caught fire. Michael wasn't inside, was he?"
Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief. "He was, but he only got minor injuries."
Sarah spoke slowly. "That's good. Then you don't need to worry too much."
Elizabeth tried to suppress her suspicions. "Sarah, where are you?"
"I'm at home. Where else would I be?"
"Sarah, tell me the truth. Is something wrong?"
Sarah was silent for a long time before she finally broke down and cried. "Elizabeth, I'm in so much pain..."
Elizabeth immediately stood up. "Sarah, wait for me. I'm coming over. Don't go anywhere."
Sarah continued to cry. "Okay, Elizabeth. I'll wait for you. I need you."
Elizabeth grabbed her bag and hurried out.
Susan called after her, "Elizabeth, the massage therapist is almost here."
She chased after her into the yard, but Elizabeth's car had already sped away.
Susan sighed and shook her head as she went back inside.
On the other side.
Sarah sat on the couch, hugging her knees, her head buried in her arms.
Elizabeth rang the doorbell. Sarah immediately got up to open the door.
As soon as she saw Elizabeth, she hugged her tightly.
"Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth comforted her and helped her back to the couch.
"Where's David?"
"He's at work. He wanted to stay with me, but I didn't let him. His parents are already unhappy about me coming back. I can't affect his work too."
Elizabeth wiped the tears from her face.
"Sarah, is something bothering you?"
Sarah clung to her arm. "Elizabeth, I have a psychological problem."
Elizabeth's heart sank. This day had finally come.
She had known for a long time that Sarah had been deeply affected by the kidnapping.
Sarah had never described the experience in detail, and Elizabeth had been afraid to ask, not wanting to reopen old wounds.
She only knew that after the kidnapping, Sarah had lost her child and developed an intense aversion to strange men.
But some things can't be avoided just by ignoring them.
She gently brushed Sarah's hair back. "Sarah, do you want to tell me what's troubling you?"
Sarah looked at her best friend. They had the kind of relationship where they could share their deepest secrets.
She told Elizabeth everything about that day, including how she had used a knife to sever the man's genitals.
"Elizabeth, now whenever I see David's body, I think of that disgusting man. It's become my nightmare. I can't overcome this. Am I sick?"
Elizabeth gently patted her. "Sarah, it's okay. You've been very brave. You protected yourself and punished the bad guy. You're amazing. If it were me, I don't know if I could have done what you did."
"Elizabeth, I love David, and he loves me. But we can't make love. David doesn't say anything, but over time, it must be painful for him. It's painful for me too. I truly want to be intimate with him, but I just can't face his body. Elizabeth, what should I do?"
"Sarah, maybe you could try turning off the lights at night? That way, you won't see his body."
"Okay, I'll try. I don't know if it will work."
"Sarah, if it doesn't work, maybe you should see a therapist? If you don't want to go alone, I'll go with you. Don't be afraid to see a therapist. Just like doctors heal physical ailments, therapists can help heal emotional wounds."
Sarah nodded gently. "Okay. I'll try."
She stood up. "Elizabeth, talking to you has already made me feel a lot better. You should go back and be with your kids."
Elizabeth was worried. "Are you really okay?"
Sarah smiled. "Why would I lie to you? David will be home soon. I'll be fine."
Elizabeth left, still concerned, and called David on the way. "David, are you at work?"
David sounded like he was on the road. "I'm almost home. Elizabeth, is something wrong with Sarah again?"
"David, I think Sarah's mental state isn't right. Keep an eye on her. I'm worried she might do something impulsive. I'm planning to help her see a therapist to work through her issues."
David was genuinely grateful. "Thank you, Elizabeth. Sarah is lucky to have a friend like you."
Elizabeth felt guilty. "Don't mention it. It's what I should do. I'll arrange the appointment and take her there. You should go home and be with her."
Elizabeth returned to Whispering Pines Estates, didn't even change her clothes, and went straight to bed.
Pearl and Nolan were playing in the living room after dinner.
Pearl asked, "Susan, is my mom back? I haven't seen her all day. I miss her."
Susan put a finger to her lips. "Shh, Elizabeth had a long day and is very tired. Let her sleep."
Pearl nodded. "Okay. I'll see her tomorrow then."
She ran to the cradle and looked at Francis, who was sucking his thumb. "Francis hasn't seen Mom in a while either, right? We'll see her tomorrow."
Elizabeth, sleeping upstairs, was awakened by the phone.
Groggily, she reached for her phone without checking the caller ID. "Hello?"
David's anxious voice came through. "Elizabeth, I can't find Sarah! She said she'd wait for me at home, but she's not here! I've called her a million times, and she won't answer!"
Elizabeth was instantly awake and sat up. "David, did you call the Martinez Villa?"
"I did. I didn't dare mention that Sarah was missing. I pretended it was a wrong number. But Sarah's not with her parents."
Elizabeth tried to think of where Sarah might have gone.
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