Chapter 365
At her words, he released her abruptly, stumbling backward with hands that trembled uncontrollably, seemingly unable to stop.
Cassie turned away, looking at him with fear. "Joseph, maybe you don't realize it, but being with you, I always have to be on eggshells. You're domineering, overbearing, and unreasonable. Any small slip, and I fear your anger. In my eyes, you're a devil. Who could ever fall in love with a devil?"
"Enough! Don't say another word!"
In a sudden rage, Joseph swept the breakfast from the table onto the floor. His eyes reddened with fury.
He didn't want to hurt her, but why did she provoke him so?
He was human, and his heart could break.
As he felt control slipping away, he stormed out the door.
Staggering to his car, he popped open a pill bottle and hastily took a dose, but it wasn't enough. Fearing he'd harm someone, he frenziedly pulled out a knife and sliced it into his arm.
Pain jolted him into full consciousness.
In the kitchen
Cassie wiped beads of cold sweat from her brow as she surveyed the chaotic scene strewn across the floor. Joseph's gaze moments ago had terrified her, as if he had just walked the thin line between life and death. How could someone change so quickly, from sweet and seductive one moment to monstrous the next? She never noticed such a terrifying aspect of Joseph before. No, she had to leave; she couldn't possibly reconcile with him.
Turning to go upstairs, Cassie caught sight of Rosalind standing at the kitchen entrance; worry etched on her face. Pretending not to notice, Cassie attempted to leave, but Rosalind called out, "Miss Brooks, you should stop provoking Joseph like that."
"I know, I won't dare to again," said Cassie, forcing a wan smile in self-mockery.
Rosalind's lips parted, almost wanting to explain that maybe Joseph hadn't meant to lose control; perhaps he was just ill again. But would knowing the truth about Joseph scare Miss Brooks even more?
In the hospital
As Lucas wrapped a bandage around Joseph's arm, he sighed, staring at his brother's pallid face. "All this over Cassie?"
"I don't want to snap and hurt her again." Joseph gazed out the window, Cassie's cutting words echoing in his head, stirring his agitation anew. Why would she stir things up only to claim she didn't love him anymore? Had she no heart at all?
"Hey, hey, take it easy!" Lucas interrupted. "I've just bandaged you up, and it's bleeding again." Lucas had no choice but to change the dressing again.
"Can you up the medication?" Joseph asked with frustration.
"That'll only mess up your stomach more," Lucas replied gruffly. "Besides, when's the last time you had a proper meal?"
Joseph pressed his lips together, his voice pained. "I don't want to be sent back to the mental institution."
Lucas was taken aback, then resignedly said, "What if I tell Cassie about your condition? It's not like you want to hurt anyone."
Joseph, agitated as if stung, snapped back. "Do you want to scare her away from me? Have you forgotten that when I lost control before, everyone treated me like I was crazy? They all just wanted to lock me up. She'll be no different. Nobody wants to deal with someone with my kind of sickness."
Lucas fell silent, a bittersweet feeling settling in his chest.
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