Chapter 285

Chapter 285
【Luna's Perspective】

Through half-closed eyelids, I observed Helen Morrison sobbing quietly in the corner while her husband James stood stoically beside her, his weathered face etched with worry. My grandfather paced anxiously near the window, occasionally glancing at the medical equipment surrounding my bed.

Dr. Phillips, a slim man with kind eyes and graying temples, spoke in hushed tones.

"Mr. Blake, your granddaughter needs professional psychological treatment," he explained. "She's suffering from trauma-induced stress disorder. Her husband's sudden accident was too devastating for her to process. She firmly believes Mr. Morrison will return, yet reality continuously contradicts this hope. This inability to accept reality has led to her mental collapse."

"If my son truly doesn't return, what will happen to her?" James asked, his voice barely audible.

Dr. Phillips hesitated. "There are no absolutes in medicine, making predictions difficult. But in the worst-case scenario, her bodily functions could gradually decline, potentially leading to a vegetative state."

Grandfather's face contorted with horror. Helen's sobs grew louder.

"Doctor, you must save my daughter-in-law," Helen pleaded through tears. "She's so young, and Liam was born just recently—he can't even call his parents yet. Such a tragedy cannot happen."

"Don't worry excessively," Dr. Phillips reassured them. "At this stage, we'll involve psychological specialists to help her regain consciousness."

The door burst open as Kevin rushed in, his face ashen. "Mr. Blake," he said urgently, "search teams found a body floating in the Potomac River. It's... unrecognizable. The medical examiner requires DNA confirmation."

Helen collapsed immediately, James catching her before she hit the floor. Kevin hurried forward to help.

Grandfather trembled as he approached my bed, taking my hand. "Luna, wake up," he whispered. "They may have found Max."

At the sound of Max's name, my eyes opened. I gazed at my grandfather's tear-filled eyes.

"Grandfather, why are you crying?" I asked softly.

"Luna, rescue teams found a body by the river. It's at the medical examiner's lab awaiting identification. The Morrison family needs to provide DNA samples. Would you like to come with us to see if... if it's Max?"

I smiled faintly, feeling tears slide down my face. "Grandfather, it's definitely not Max. He promised he'd return. He isn't dead."

"Yes, he's not dead," Grandfather agreed, his voice breaking. "He has a wife and son waiting for him. He wouldn't die. But could you come with me to the medical examiner's office? Ruling out that it's him would give us peace of mind."

I closed my eyes. "Grandfather, I'd rather not go. I want to sleep. When Max returns, please ask him to find me in this hospital room. I haven't seen him for so many days. I miss him... miss him so much."

I drifted back into sleep, finding myself beside a vast white lake in my dreams, waiting endlessly, feeling hollow and helpless.

Grandfather clutched my hand, weeping beside my bed.

---
The following days passed in a blur of consultations and treatments. I was transferred to the psychiatric ward for specialized care. Grandfather's wealth secured a team of top specialists who developed a comprehensive treatment plan.

I later learned the doctors had explained that I chose sleep as an escape from pain—waking meant confronting cruel reality and feeling powerless against it.

On the third day after DNA testing began, Kevin entered my room with Violet.

"Luna, please wake up," Violet called gently. When I didn't respond, she tried again. "Luna, there's news about Max—important news about Max. Please wake up."

I slowly opened my eyes, but seeing Kevin instead of Max, I closed them again. "It's Kevin, not Max," I murmured.

Kevin took a deep breath. "Mrs. Morrison, Mr. Morrison just sent me a message. He's in danger and needs our help."

My eyes flew open. I grabbed Violet's arm, demanding to be helped up. "Violet, help me sit up."

Violet lifted me eagerly. I reached toward Kevin. "Where is Max's message?"

Kevin produced his phone, showing me a message supposedly from Max's number. My fingers trembled as I read it: "Kevin, I'm alive, held in an unfamiliar place. Find a way to rescue me. Don't tell Luna what happened, just say I'm on a business trip. Don't let her worry."

"Mrs. Morrison," Kevin continued, "Mr. Morrison isn't dead, just captured. Even in this situation, he's concerned about you. Please don't make him worry."

I clutched the phone and burst into uncontrollable sobs, collapsing against Violet, my body shaking violently. A doctor rushed in, administering a sedative that gradually calmed me.

After the injection, instead of sleeping, I became eerily composed. I returned the phone to Kevin with a bitter smile. "Your acting skills are poor. This message isn't from Max. His phone is probably still at the bottom of the river. How could he possibly text you?"

Violet and Kevin exchanged surprised glances at my clarity. The doctors had hoped this message would motivate me to help save my husband, but I had immediately recognized the deception.

"Luna, if you knew it was fake, why did you cry so brokenly?" Violet asked anxiously. "I worried you might faint from crying."

Tears welled in my eyes. "I miss him so much. Even knowing it's fake, I could still feel his love for me."

"Luna, please stop sleeping," Violet urged. "Think about Max—he's likely still alive."

"I'm done sleeping," I interrupted. "Max lied to me. He said to wait for him to return. It feels like lifetimes have passed, and he hasn't come back for me. I'm done waiting."

Violet and Kevin exchanged worried glances, fearing my thoughts had taken another dangerous turn.

"Mrs. Morrison," Kevin said hastily, "Mr. Morrison didn't lie to you. He will definitely return."

"If he won't come find me," I said calmly, "then I'll go find him."

"Luna," Violet said anxiously, "don't do anything rash. You're afraid of water and can't swim. How would you find him?"

I rubbed my eyes irritably. "He's not in the river. Why would I go into the water to find him?"

Violet sighed with relief. "Then where do you plan to look?"

After a long silence, I said, "Violet, get me something to eat. I'd like some fish soup."

"I—I'll go buy some right away," Kevin stammered excitedly, his voice echoing down the corridor as he rushed away.