Chapter 106
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I had studied psychology when I was in university. I had learned about bipolar disorder, so I knew a person with bipolar did have intermittent manic episodes. However, manic episodes weren’t only triggered by a specific
person.
Furthermore, if people only behaved manically toward a specific person, it didn’t mean they were bipolar. It could just be that they strongly abhorred that specific person and couldn’t stand them in the slightest.
Thus far, I had only had manic episodes around Julianne. I also couldn’t remember what I’d done after each episode had passed. That would only mean that I wasn’t the problem.
Rather, the problem was… Julianne!
“Being mentally ill is nothing to worry about, Emi,” Irvin said. “The same goes for making mistakes. Illnesses can be treated. As for mistakes, we just have to recognize them and correct ourselves. Just cooperate with me, okay?”
He never wanted me to go to prison. Now, he knew I had likely forgotten that I had done such a thing due to my mental illness and wasn’t just stubbornly denying it. Naturally, he would be even more reluctant for me to end up in prison.
Hence, he was patiently trying to convince me to go along with his arrangements.
With all the evidence he had presented, he likely thought I would relent and listen to him. He thought I would obediently go along with him.
He surely didn’t expect me to firmly refuse again.
“I’m not mentally ill! And I didn’t do what I’m being accused of!” I shot back.
He looked like he was about to blow a fuse.
“Emilia!” he bellowed. “Can you please just face facts already? Stop being so stubborn! This matter isn’t just between the three of us anymore! If it was, I’d just have Lianne concede if you refuse to admit it. Then, this matter would be settled!
“But right now, this situation has been blown up so big that the public is in an uproar! Because of this, they might impose the maximum sentence on you if you’re convicted! That’s ten years, Emilia! You’ll be behind bars for ten years! Do you really want to destroy yourself this way?”
Irvin looked so frustrated. It seemed as though he wanted to rush over and shake me hard. Perhaps he thought I would finally gain some sense if he did it hard enough. Then , I would finally stop being so stubborn.
After all, it didn’t matter how capable or powerful he was. He wouldn’t be able to save me once I was convicted.
I looked him in the eye. He appeared as though he was on the verge of losing his mind.
“You should go back and read more, especially information on bipolar disorder,” I said in an indifferent tone.
I then pressed the button on the table for a female officer to escort me back to my cell. I didn’t care how worked- up Irvin was.
I appeared calm in front of him. I also acted as though I was convinced I wasn’t mentally ill and that I was innocent.
However, I couldn’t help feeling uneasy and scared once I returned to my cell. I thought about what I had seen- all the evidence and all the things I had no memory of doing
I was afraid that I was actually guilty. Even if I wasn’t myself at the time, I was worried I would still be convicted
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for them regardless .
I was also fearful that things would turn out just as Irvin had said that I would have to spend ten years in prison .
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I had wanted to start afresh in life and explore all the endless possibilities. But now, I was scared it would all end before I even had the chance to.
My fear and unease kept me awake the whole night.
I needed to get enough sleep during a time like this. It was important to ensure I could keep a calm and clear mind.
Yet, it didn’t matter how many times I told myself this. It also didn’t matter how much I admonished myself . I wasn’t able to sleep a wink.
I had another visitor early the next morning.
I thought it was Irvin coming to persuade me yet again. But just as I was about to reject the visit, I saw who the visitor was.
It was Mr. Holland. The proud old man was walking briskly toward me while I stood dumbfounded.
Mr. Holland was right in front of me. Holding me, he inspected me from head to toe. He was looking to see if thad any injuries. It was only then that I snapped back to reality.
“How could you not tell me, Emilia? You’ve gotten into such big trouble and didn’t even try to notify me.” Mr. Holland chastised me before I could say anything. “I wouldn’t have known at all if I hadn’t seen what was happening on the internet.”
I stared at him. I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t find the words.
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