Chapter 424
The strength in his grip waned, and his hold on Mabel's hand loosened until he crumbled onto the floor.
Cassie was quick to react, catching him in her arms. She whispered a soft promise into his ear, "I won't leave you. When you wake, I'll have a rack of lamb waiting."
The furrowed tension in Joe's brow eased, and he slipped into a peaceful unconsciousness, reminiscent of a child in deep slumber. It was a stark contrast to the turmoil that had consumed him just moments before.
Mabel, on the other hand, slumped to the ground, her energy drained, her face stricken and pale. It seemed to take an eternity for any color to return to her cheeks.
Liam, acting quickly, rushed to her side. "Mom, I've already contacted the psychiatric hospital. They're sending an ambulance for Joseph right away," he informed her.
Mabel could only blink in shock at the news.
Cassie's glare was fierce as she turned on Liam. "Who gave you the right to do that?" she demanded.
Liam retorted, his tone laced with irritation, "He's a mess, Cassie. Are you suggesting we shouldn't have him committed for treatment? Should we wait until he harms someone?"
Marcus, still holding Mabel's hand, chimed in, his voice trembling with fear. "That was terrifying. He nearly pushed you over, Mabel. This time it was you, but who knows who it could be next time he snaps...?"
His words faltered, trailing off into silence. Mabel, her resolve wavering, murmured, "Perhaps he'll fare better with treatment. He's received help before..."
Cassie could barely contain her frustration. "Didn't you hear what Joseph said earlier? You've already betrayed him once by sending him to the psychiatric ward, causing him deep trauma. As his mother, you've done nothing but hand him over to some cold institution. You're unfit to be a mother."
Shame and anger flashed across Mabel's face at Cassie's harsh words.
Liam frowned, countering, "And what do you know? If we don't have him committed, he could hurt someone again. Even you, Cassie."
"That's my problem," Cassie shot back, her voice filled with a deep rage on Joseph's behalf. "It's easy for you to talk, Liam, because it's not you being locked up. You grew up loved by your parents. As an adult, your mother bent over backwards to give you the best of the Hernandez legacy. But what about Joseph? Why did he become mentally ill? While your family enjoyed their cozy happiness, he was locked up alone in a closet. While your parents took you around the world, he suffered neglect at the hands of caretakers, hungry and cold. You can be heartless and feel no guilt, but can't you show him a shred of compassion?"
Liam's handsome face turned sour at her words, while Mabel’s grew even paler.
Cassie scoffed mockingly, "You once said you felt a bond with me through shared suffering. Looking back, it's laughable. You're insatiable. You have everything, yet you still want to take the Hernandez Corporation, the little that Joseph has. It's all he has to feel a part of the Hernandez family again, he cares about you, and yet you people keep hurting him."
"Have you had enough?" Liam clenched his fists, his teeth gritted in anger.
Her disdainful gaze swept over them, "The news of his mental breakdown came from your Hernandez family, not from strangers. We will settle this debt."
Having said her piece, she turned to Lucas, "Let's take him away."
Lucas shot her an admiring glance, nodding in agreement as he hoisted Joseph onto his back and started down the stairs.
"You guys..."
Liam was about to follow when Mabel tugged at him, defeat echoing in her shake of the head, "Let it go..."
"But..." Marcus began, his face etched with worry.
"I'm responsible for Joseph's condition," Mabel confessed, her emotions a tangled web.
She had always resented Joseph's presence. Because of him, she had been forced into a loveless marriage all those years ago.
The last time she felt guilt over Joseph was when he fell ill at the age of eight.
But life went on. She had a job, a family, and Liam to look after. Before she knew it, Joseph had spent years in a mental hospital recovering. Post-recovery, his newfound coldness and brutality only intensified her distaste.
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