Chapter 205

The hospital corridor lights glared harshly.

Dr. Jonathan Lowell adjusted his reading glasses and held the X-ray up to the lightbox. "I knew you'd come eventually."

Adrian Roland sat on the examination chair, his knuckles white. "Had to come at this hour. Too noticeable during the day."

"Afraid of running into Ms. Valentine?" Dr. Lowell smiled knowingly. "That secret of yours really can't see the light of day."

"..."

The X-ray slid back into the manila envelope with a soft rustle.

"Brain scans show no organic lesions." Dr. Lowell removed his glasses and rubbed his temples. "Your condition is dissociative identity disorder triggered by PTSD. Still taking your meds?"

"Missed a few days." He pointed to the bandage on his temple. "Switched medications after the injury."

Dr. Lowell's expression darkened. "Antidepressants and mood stabilizers must be taken continuously! Do you remember what happened during your last episode?"

Memories flooded back.

That night after losing control with Stella, he'd nearly shattered. Hatred and desire had torn at his soul until holding her close finally patched the void in his heart.

"I remember." His voice was hoarse. "Acted like a madman."

"Madman is an understatement." Dr. Lowell sighed. "Your eyes were so bloodshot I thought they'd burst. Had to give you double the sedative dose."

Silence engulfed the examination room.

"You said you hurt the person you love most." The old doctor's gaze sharpened. "Still hurting her now?"

Adrian's Adam's apple bobbed. "Every day."

"Memory lapses?"

"Happening more often."

Dr. Lowell's face grew grave. "That means it's worsening. Mr. Roland, you know better than anyone how rare second chances are."

Outside the window, neon lights cast fractured reflections on the glass.

"I need to know," Adrian suddenly looked up, "can this personality disappear?"

"DID is like walking a tightrope." Dr. Lowell interlaced his fingers. "You might reintegrate with the host personality, develop new alters, or even..."

"Forget everything now?"

"Like a hard drive losing power."

Adrian's fists clenched, knuckles bleaching white.

"But that day at the orphanage," the doctor's tone shifted, "Ms. Valentine shielded your left arm with her body. She was protecting you, even subconsciously."

The corner of his mouth lifted involuntarily.

"In high school when I got injured during soccer, she spread her arms in front of me like a bristling kitten." The memory softened his gaze. "Ready to scratch anyone who came near."

Dr. Lowell chuckled. "Childhood sweethearts?"

"She was...the most precious time of my life." His voice caught.

"But you can make new memories." The pen scratched across the prescription pad. "As new people."

Adrian took a deep breath. "I'll need the medication list. Leaving the country soon."

"After the lawsuit?"

"Yeah."

The doctor wrote the final line. "Have someone pick it up tomorrow. But—" He suddenly winked. "As your physician, I sincerely hope we never meet again."

The night wind carried the sting of antiseptic.

His motorcycle waited silently under the trees, its black frame melting into the darkness.

His phone vibrated.

"Boss, Ms. Valentine and the kids are home safe." Charlie sounded exhausted. "But the old man is furious."

"I'll explain once things settle." He massaged his temples. "Take care of Grandfather for me."

A pause. "You sure you don't want me to come?"

"Jason's staying to manage Shi's Group." Adrian hesitated. "I trust you to handle things here."

"One more thing!" Charlie's voice dropped. "Grant knows about Rose Garden. His men delivered Luna to the estate today!"

Ice crawled down his spine.

"Not a coincidence." His voice turned glacial. "That's a warning."

Rustling came from the bushes.

A figure emerged slowly in the moonlight.