Chapter 197

Dr. Jonathan Lowell studied Oliver Florent for a long moment. As a psychology expert, he noticed something significant but maintained a professional smile. "Alright."

The therapy required absolute privacy. The headmaster and teachers tactfully stepped out.

Joy Fairsprene clung to the doorframe, unwilling to leave. Stella Valentine gently tugged her sleeve. "Give him space. He's wary of the outside world right now. The doctor needs him completely relaxed for an accurate diagnosis."

Joy cast one last reluctant glance before finally following Stella down the hallway.

"Stella, I have an idea."

"You want to adopt him?"

"I consulted a lawyer. Even if I got married, I wouldn’t meet the adoption requirements." Joy bit her lip. "I was thinking—how can his father just walk away? His own son is this sick, and he acts like nothing’s wrong?"

Stella was silent for a moment. "It’s unfair."

"Just like how Adrian Roland ignored Ethan when you had to beg him for another child to save him. Fathers get to live carefree while mothers suffer. Does that make sense?"

Stella gave a bitter smile. "That’s in the past."

"I’m just reflecting. You have Mr. Alistair now, who adores you. Ethan is so mature, and little Luna is precious. They’re twins, yet Mr. Alistair is kind and gentle while Adrian is heartless. How can they be so different?"

"Maybe because Adrian witnessed his parents’ deaths. The hatred consumed him. Mr. Alistair lived alone and saw the truth clearly."

Joy suddenly gripped her hand. "Stella, you’re lucky to have him. But Oliver’s mother will never come back. It terrifies me—what if Mr. Alistair hadn’t shown up? Would Ethan have—"

Around the corner, Adrian’s grip tightened around his water bottle.

"No." Stella’s voice was soft but firm. "Mr. Alistair would have come."

The session lasted until dusk.

When Dr. Lowell emerged, the headmaster rushed forward. "Doctor—"

Joy pulled Stella along quickly.

The doctor’s expression was grave. "Someone should stay with the boy. Let’s talk elsewhere."

The headmaster hesitated.

"I’ll do it." Adrian’s voice came from behind. "I can take care of him."

Dr. Lowell met his gaze, and the two exchanged a silent nod.

In the headmaster’s office, the doctor opened his notebook. "The situation is severe. His mother’s death devastated him, compounded by his other condition. Does anyone know the details?"

The headmaster shook his head.

"He has a liver condition," Stella said quietly. "It’s hereditary. His mother worked herself to death trying to pay for his treatment."

"Oh God..." The headmaster covered her mouth.

Dr. Lowell wasn’t surprised. "Bipolar disorder, severe depression with suicidal tendencies. I’ll prescribe medication, but he needs patient guidance."

The headmaster nodded repeatedly.

"But the bigger issue..." The doctor hesitated. "He’s developed a second personality."

The room fell silent.

Joy gasped. "Isn’t that only in novels?"

"It’s a real psychological defense mechanism," Dr. Lowell explained. "Extreme cases can have over 300 personalities. Oliver’s is different—his alter is himself from two months ago, when his mother was still alive."

Shock rippled through the room.

Joy whispered, "If he could stay like that forever..."

"Theoretically, that would be ideal. If the personality matures before facing reality, the pain lessens. But we can’t control the switches. It’s up to chance."

The flicker of hope dimmed.

"However..." The doctor added, "I had a similar case. The patient also developed a second personality after trauma—reverting to a time before the incident."

Stella leaned forward. "How is he now?"

"He stopped coming for follow-ups. At our last session, his primary personality had returned, but he’d accepted all memories and made peace with his past."

He paused. "That’s the best outcome. But if he loses someone dear again... it’ll be worse than Oliver’s case."