Chapter 665
"Mr. Frane, this morning, Barry swung by to see Ms. Young again. He brought her breakfast and hung out for about forty-three minutes before taking off. Then Rafaela showed up and gave Lillian a solid two hours of therapy. They seemed to hit it off pretty well. When Rafaela left, Lillian even walked her to the elevator and they chatted for a bit before she headed back to her room," Harry filled Jackson in on Lillian's morning, showing him a photo of Lillian and Rafaela talking in the hospital hallway.
In the pic, Rafaela was holding Lillian's wrist, saying something, and Lillian was listening with a relaxed smile.
At first glance, it looked like a pretty chill scene. But as Jackson stared at the photo, his expression got colder and more intense.
Harry went on, "We've got eyes on Barry, and so far, nothing weird in how he's acting with Ms. Young, except for introducing Rafaela to her. But Rafaela's good at what she does, and it looks like her treatment's working. Ms. Young's mental state has really improved. Barry doesn't like Jenny and tries to scare her, but he seems to genuinely care about Lillian."
Jackson put the photo down, his voice icy. "A normal psychologist needs to gain their patient's trust, but there's no need to get so close, like friends. They usually keep a professional distance."
In the photo, Lillian and Rafaela were way too close, like buddies.
Jackson knew Lillian well. She seemed gentle and kind, but she was actually slow to warm up to people. Her past had built a wall around her heart, making it tough for her to let anyone in.
Rafaela had only given Lillian three sessions, and they were already this tight. Jackson couldn't help but think Rafaela was up to something.
Plus, Rafaela was the one who had suggested Jackson let go of Lillian before.
Even though Rafaela had a great rep, there were plenty of psychologists in Miracalia. It felt too coincidental.
Harry suddenly looked alarmed. "Do you think Rafaela's up to something?"
Harry had thought Barry genuinely cared for Lillian and that everything was normal, with Lillian's condition improving after therapy. But now, after hearing Jackson and looking at the photo, he felt uneasy, breaking out in a cold sweat.
"Could Rafaela have brainwashed Ms. Young? Like making her believe she loves Barry and will only trust him?" Harry was so freaked out by this thought that his scalp tingled, wanting to urge Jackson to rush to the hospital and get Lillian out of there.
But Jackson stayed put at his desk. "Do you think we're in a movie?"
If psychologists could easily mess with people's memories and beliefs, they'd be like demons.
However, during therapy, a psychologist could easily guide Lillian's thoughts, like making her more determined to follow Barry abroad. Maybe that was Barry's plan.
Jackson wanted to get Lillian out of there as soon as possible. Thinking about it, he frowned deeply.
In the afternoon, Barry came to help Lillian with her discharge.
Lillian didn't have much stuff, just a bag that Barry carried.
Barry said gently, "Lillian, we can go now."
Lillian nodded and was about to follow Barry out when the door opened, and Jackson walked in with Harry.
Seeing Jackson again, Lillian immediately frowned.
"Mr. Frane, what brings you here?" Barry broke the silence first.
Jackson's eyes didn't even flicker towards Barry; they were locked on Lillian. He noticed her instinctive reaction was to step behind Barry. Before, even if she didn't like him, she wouldn't avoid him like this. Now, it was like she saw a monster, hiding almost instinctively.
Even knowing Lillian might be influenced by therapy, Jackson felt his heart still ache from her small action. His gaze swept over the big bag Barry was carrying and then to the trash can by the bed, where a pair of pale yellow slippers, white knee-high socks, and a light yellow hat lay discarded.
All items Jackson had personally put on Lillian, now completely tossed aside.
Jackson's eyes turned icy as he looked at Barry. "I'll take Lillian home. You're not needed."
Barry kept his gentle smile. "Mr. Frane, that's a strange thing to say. Did you ask Lillian first?"
Jackson ignored Barry. He stepped forward, looking at Lillian, and said softly, "Grandma asked me to make sure you got home safe."
He handed his phone to Lillian, indicating she should take the call.
Seeing Jackson, Lillian felt a wave of disgust and rejection. He had promised to let her go and not interfere in her life, yet here he was, going back on his word. She couldn't help but feel repulsed.
But hearing it was Lyra's arrangement, Lillian suppressed her irritation.
She took the phone with some suspicion and put it to her ear.
Sure enough, Lyra's familiar voice came through. "Lillian, is that you?"
Lillian's expression softened instantly. "Grandma, it's me. How have you been these past two days?"
Lyra replied, "I'm fine, but you were so weak when you left that I couldn't stop worrying. I knew you were being discharged today, so I asked Jackson to make sure you got home safely. Lillian, I know you don't want to see him. Just treat him like a driver or bodyguard for my sake, okay?"
Hearing Lyra's cautious tone, Lillian felt a soft, bittersweet emotion.
She replied softly, "I understand. Thank you for your concern."
Lillian couldn't bear to embarrass Lyra in person. But after hanging up, her face turned cold again.
She handed the phone back to Jackson, her tone distant and indifferent. "I've already asked Barry to pick me up. No need for you, Mr. Frane."
"You just promised Grandma," Jackson said in a deep voice.
Lillian frowned, and Barry immediately chuckled, saying to Lillian, "Lillian, Mr. Frane went to great lengths, even involving Lyra, to pick you up. Why not let us take you together? But my apartment isn't far, so there's no need for such a big fuss."
Barry's words clearly implied that Lyra's order was just Jackson's ploy.
Lillian sneered, "Mr. Frane, is it fun to act so self-righteously and go back on your word?"
Jackson's face darkened, and he felt an urge to strangle Barry.
Glaring at Lillian, Jackson gritted his teeth. "Can't you see he's trying to drive a wedge between us? Do you believe everything he says?"
Lillian looked at the angry Jackson with a strange expression and then lightly smiled. "Didn't you always believe whatever Wendy and Star said? How can Barry compare to them?"
Jackson was at a loss for words, feeling as if his insides were twisted with anger, suffocating and unable to retort. 'Is this karma? Not being trusted by the one I love and seeing her protect someone is a suffocating, maddening feeling.'
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