Chapter 113: Autism Episode
Donovan watched as his daughter chased after Riley's car, a look of astonishment in his eyes. Finley had only met Riley a few times, yet she was so attached to her.
Just as Donovan was in shock, Finley suddenly fell. Donovan snapped back to reality, quickly stepped forward, and scooped her into his arms. "Where did you hurt? Let me see."
But Finley clung tightly to Donovan's neck, unwilling to let go.
As Donovan grew anxious, he heard Finley's sobbing in his ear.
Donovan momentarily questioned his hearing. Finley's crying marked the first time she had made a sound since she had matured. She sobbed vehemently, her body tensing up and her hold around his neck causing sharp pain.
Donovan bore it without displaying any discomfort, his emotions entangled as he attempted to console the young child.
"Auntie Riley...I want Auntie Riley..."
Suddenly, Finley stammered out a few words.
Donovan's movements froze.
He hadn't expected Finley's first words to be this.
Riley was evidently that important to her.
Upon realizing this, Donovan felt a wave of sadness but could only harshly inform Finley of the truth. "Riley has already left. Daddy is here with you, don't cry."
However, Finley continued to cry vehemently, her body even beginning to tremble slightly. Helpless, Donovan had to excuse her from school and bring Finley back home.
During the journey, the child's cries gradually subsided, and she sat quietly in the back seat, occasionally letting out sobs. Upon arriving home, Finley disregarded everyone, heading straight to her room and slamming the door shut.
Donovan assumed Finley was having another tantrum, a common occurrence in the past. Furthermore, he had urgent business matters to attend to at the company that day.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Donovan instructed Cole to watch over Finley and then drove to the office.
In the afternoon, as he wrapped up his work, Cole called urgently, "Mr. Wilder, you need to return home quickly! Something seems wrong with Finley!"
Her tone was filled with panic. Donovan's heart plummeted as he abandoned his work and hurried back home.
"After you left, I tried to comfort Finley, but no matter what I said, she made no response," Cole said, her voice trembling with anxiety.
Donovan hurried into Finley's room and was met with the sight of the little girl curled up in the corner, her eyes empty. She showed no response to their presence.
"Finley, I know you're upset. I promise you can see Riley again, okay?"
Usually, mentioning Riley would at least elicit some reaction from Finley.
But this time, Finley didn't even blink, appearing entirely absorbed in her own world.
Witnessing this, Donovan's heart dropped. Finley's behavior strongly suggested an autism episode!
Acknowledging this, Donovan promptly reached out to his close friend Alexander Johnson, urgently requesting his immediate presence.
Alexander had made significant contributions to the field of psychology and had been treating Finley's condition for years.
Soon, Alexander arrived. Seeing Finley's state, his heart sank as well. He turned to the two and said, "You may leave. I’ll talk to her."
Donovan and Cole cooperated and left the room.
Despite Alexander's patient attempts to speak with Finley, she remained unresponsive, her eyes devoid of emotion.
The severity of the situation was noticeably more pronounced than in previous instances.
