Chapter 198 It’s Too Late to Think About Protecting Now
William's face was dark with fury. He pressed his knuckles to his forehead, his voice barely containing exhaustion and rage. "She's in the safety corridor outside the emergency room, keeping vigil for her father."
"Keeping vigil?" John's expression changed. "What happened to Mr. Tudor?"
"Serious car accident. He's still in emergency surgery." William looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "I called you here to tell me everything about her, every detail."
John frowned. Everyone had seen how William treated Isabella.
Being with someone like him would only make her condition worse.
Seeing his hesitation, William said coldly, "If you hide anything from me, I won't let you walk out that door."
John glanced at him. "I'm not afraid of you. I'm worried about Isabella's condition."
He sighed. "Her depression has been severe for a long time. She never recovered from her sister's death."
No one had moved on from that tragedy, but Isabella was the most trapped in grief.
"The death of a loved one, her family's rejection, and your constant harm—she's been under long-term mental pressure. Lasting this long has already pushed her to her limit."
He paused, his tone heavy. "When she sees Amara, it's not just a hallucination. It's comfort she found in her extreme pain."
William's heart jolted. "Comfort?"
"Yes." John nodded, his voice hoarse. "She sees people who've passed away, and she creates an entirely new personality. When this personality appears, it talks to her and bears the pain she can't handle."
William's face grew grave. "What happens if this personality appears?"
John looked at him, his gaze sharp as a knife, speaking seriously. "Once this alternate personality grows stronger and takes control, the main personality will slowly be overwhelmed and fade away. Then... Isabella will never come back."
Never come back.
Those words hit William's chest like a hammer, leaving him breathless.
He couldn't let Isabella develop such a personality. He had to drive Amara away and prevent other personalities from appearing.
"What can be done to stop this?"
"First, she must be hospitalized for proper treatment. During this time, you need to stay away from her. Seeing you only brings her pain, which doesn't help her condition—it only makes it worse."
William clenched his jaw, clearly unwilling.
John continued, "Unless you want to watch her keep deteriorating."
He didn't want that. He only wanted Isabella to recover as soon as possible.
"How long will treatment take?"
John sighed. "Given her current condition, at least... five years, maybe longer. Depression is different from other illnesses—it heals slowly through medication and a stable environment. You can't rush it."
William keenly noticed the hesitation in his tone. "Are you still hiding something from me?"
According to what he said about five years, did that mean he and Isabella had to be apart that long?
He simply couldn't do it.
John calmly avoided his gaze. Some things, he really didn't want to tell him.
William's voice turned icy. "I don't care what you're reluctant to say. I need to know everything about Isabella. If you won't tell me, I'll find out myself."
Seeing his continued silence, William looked toward the door.
"Dylan."
"Mr. Spencer."
"Go investigate," William spoke clearly. "Check all of Isabella's medical records from childhood to now, especially psychology and psychiatry. I want everything."
"Also, investigate Lester."
Dylan paused. "Didn't Lester die?"
"Not seeing a body doesn't mean he's dead." A glint of cold resolve flashed in William's eyes. "That whole kidnapping incident with Isabella was suspicious from start to finish. Given his situation, it was strange enough that he could return to the country—he couldn't have dared to touch my people so openly without someone backing him up."
After thinking, he ordered, "Round up all of Lester's old crew, don't miss a single one. Especially those who were with him longest—I want to question them personally."
"Yes!" Dylan took the order and left immediately.
Only the two of them remained in the hospital room.
John looked at William's tense back and spoke softly. "Isn't it too late for you to think about protecting her now?"
William's body stiffened. Without turning around, he said just one sentence, his voice hoarse but firm.
"Even if it's late, I'm keeping her by my side."
John looked at his obsessive appearance and shook his head. "Since we're done talking, if you're not planning to forcibly detain me here, I should go."
John walked to the door and was stopped by the bodyguards. Without William's order, he couldn't leave.
John looked back at him. William waved to let him pass.
If he wouldn't talk, keeping him there was pointless.
Meanwhile, William contacted the head of psychiatry and had several specialists from home brought to the hospital, deciding to follow John's advice and have Isabella receive treatment first.
He slowly walked from the first floor toward Isabella's location. Bodyguards protected the entire route, ensuring no one could approach her.
William saw her slender frame leaning against the door, her eyes peering through a narrow gap, staring straight ahead at what was happening.
He couldn't bear to speak, so he just quietly stayed behind her.
He had never imagined that one day, he would be so afraid of something happening to Isabella.
He couldn't imagine how painful the days ahead would be without her.
William wouldn't allow that to happen.
Finally, after eight hours, the emergency room doors opened, and the doctor walked out with a grave expression.
Isla rushed forward with Juniper's support. Isabella quickly grabbed the door handle, but paused at the moment of opening it and gently let go. If she went out now, Isla would definitely be angry seeing her.
She didn't want to make Isla angry, so she could only press her ear to the door to make sure she could hear what was being said.
Isla asked anxiously, "Doctor, how is my husband? He's okay now, right?"
The doctor sighed. "His injuries were too severe. Although we barely saved his life, he's not out of danger yet. He'll fall into a deep coma. If he doesn't wake up within three days, I'm afraid..."
Isla's body went limp. Juniper caught her with concern, choking back tears. "Godmother, you have to hold on. Godfather's lucky—he'll definitely be fine."
The doctor finished his earlier statement. "I'm afraid he may never wake up. The family should prepare themselves mentally."
Isla could no longer hold on; her whole body collapsed onto Juniper, nearly knocking her over.
Juniper quickly had the bodyguards help, supporting her to a bench. "Godmother, sit and rest. I'll handle everything else."
She turned to the doctor. "Please, you must save my Godfather."