Chapter 161 The Hurt That Stays Inside
Isabella was terrified for Rodolfo.
She knew that if she asked Hermione, her friend would soften the truth to spare her feelings.
But Donny was a doctor. He would tell her what was real.
She had no choice. She followed him.
They went to a restaurant where Donny had reserved a private room. When Isabella stepped inside, she saw a thick manila folder on the table.
Donny asked what she wanted to eat. Isabella said she didn't care.
He ordered the house specials and slid the folder across the table toward her.
"Isabella, I know you don't want to face this. But you need to understand where this illness leads if it's left untreated."
"Look at these. I think they'll change your mind."
Isabella didn't want to look. Instead, she asked, "You still haven't told me about Rodolfo. Tell me first."
Donny knew he couldn't rush her. He had to take it slow.
"He had a hypertensive crisis that triggered coronary artery disease. We got to him in time, but if we hadn't…" He paused. "It would've been bad. He needs long-term rest now. His kids are talking about taking him home with them."
Isabella's chest tightened.
She hadn't realized Rodolfo was that sick. Hermione would be devastated. She was devastated.
"You don't need to worry too much. It's early stage. If he follows treatment, he'll improve. But if it gets to the late stage…" Donny let the sentence hang. "There's nothing anyone can do."
Isabella heard what he wasn't saying. He was talking about her too.
But she felt she deserved this. She had killed her sister. She had caused everyone so much pain.
She didn't deserve to live like a normal person. Whatever suffering came her way—she had earned it.
She truly believed her illness didn't matter.
Donny looked at her seriously. "Isabella, you're not a criminal. Stop putting all the blame on yourself."
He opened the folder and placed a case file in front of her.
"This is about twin sisters. Their situation was a lot like yours."
Isabella still didn't look. Donny had no choice but to explain it out loud.
"These sisters were very close. When they were ten, there was an earthquake. The older sister used her body to shield the younger one. A concrete slab fell on her. She died."
Isabella's eyes flickered.
Her sister would have done the same. She would have died for her without hesitation.
"The younger sister couldn't stop thinking about her. She felt that if her sister hadn't saved her, she'd still be alive. So she fell into deep guilt. She changed her name to her sister's name. Started copying all her interests—her hobbies, everything. She tried to become her sister."
"But her mind couldn't handle it. She developed a second personality."
"That second personality blamed her for losing their identity. The two personalities fought. Attacked each other. She started self-harming. Over time, her speech became incoherent. Her behavior spiraled. She would run naked through the streets. Attack strangers for no reason. She couldn't take care of herself anymore."
"The worst incident? She stabbed her mother with a knife. Pushed her father down the stairs." Donny leaned forward. "Isabella, is that what you want to become?"
Isabella had just picked up her glass. Her hand trembled. The glass slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the table. Water splashed onto her face.
She didn't want to become that.
She could hurt herself. But she couldn't hurt her parents. Not them.
Donny kept going. "Eventually, she lost all control. The illness took over completely. She couldn't function in society anymore. Do you know what happens then?"
"She either refused to eat—had to be tube-fed to stay alive—or she'd have violent outbursts and hurt people around her. In the end, she had to be physically restrained and placed in a closed treatment facility."
He watched her face drain of color. Then he pulled out another case file.
"If that scared you, this one's worse."
Isabella's fingers had gone numb.
Donny cut to the worst part. "This was about two brothers. The older one had severe depression. One night, he killed his entire family…"
Isabella shot to her feet. Her eyes were wide, panicked. "I'll get checked. I will. I have to. I don't want to be like them. I don't want to hurt anyone."
Donny exhaled slowly.
The cases were brutal. But her condition was serious enough that she needed to see the consequences. Otherwise, she would never accept treatment.
A server knocked softly and entered, breaking the tension.
"Let's eat first," Donny said. "After work, I'll take you to see him."
Isabella had no appetite. Her mind kept replaying everything he'd just said.
She couldn't imagine becoming like those people. It terrified her.
"You need to relax. If you get treatment early, you'll be fine. I'll be with you the whole time."
Isabella nodded faintly. But her body was still trembling.
She thought maybe she really was very sick.
Despite how she felt, she ate a lot. If Donny hadn't stopped her, she would have kept eating.
He drove her back to the office building. He thought keeping her busy might be better than letting her spiral alone with her thoughts.
Isabella returned to her desk. Her mind felt scattered.
She kept thinking about the case Donny had described. Why had that person hurt her own parents?
Her parents hadn't done anything wrong. If anyone deserved to be hurt, it was herself.
Maybe that patient's illness had been too severe. Maybe she couldn't control herself anymore.
That person must have loved her parents. But she was sick—too sick. That's why she did those things.
If Isabella didn't get treatment, she would become like that too.
She didn't want to become like that.
She grabbed her own hands, as if warning herself. Don't do this.
"Don't hurt Mom and Dad. If that day ever comes, I'll cut you off myself."
"Isabella?" Thalia was standing nearby, watching her grip her own hands too tightly. "Are you okay?"
Isabella snapped back. Instinctively, she smiled the way her sister used to. "I'm fine, Ms. Wesley."
Thalia sighed. "Don't put so much pressure on yourself. There's not much to do this afternoon. You can leave early and watch some competition footage. The inspiration will come."
Normally, Isabella wouldn't leave early. But today, she had to go get treatment for her mental illness.
"Okay. Thank you, Ms. Wesley."
Thalia thought something seemed off. Maybe it was stress. But she didn't press.
Isabella finished her afternoon tasks quickly and reached out to Donny on her own.
That surprised him. She really was afraid of hurting her family.
He felt a pang of guilt.
To get her to accept treatment, he had to show her the cruelest side of this illness.
Isabella left two hours early. She told Thalia and walked out.
Donny was already waiting by the entrance.