Less than two hours after Lucas informed the organization of my decision to return, I received confirmation. In three days, a helicopter would come to extract me. I wanted nothing more to do with Ryland Palmer. Gritting my teeth, I managed to pull on my jeans and stumbled out of the hospital, searching for a place to hide out for the next few days.

But it felt like every passerby was dissecting me with their eyes. I kept my head down until a man blocked my path.

"Hey there, beautiful. Remember me? You were quite the party the other night. Ready for round two?"

He slung an arm around my shoulder and started making sleazy comments, his eyes shamelessly roving over me. Memories of two nights ago flooded my mind. I shoved him away as hard as I could, but he only became more aggressive. The people around us started whispering, alternating between watching me and glancing at their phones.

"Is she really pulling a stunt right here on the street? Quite the show," someone remarked.

Another person even joked with the thug, "When you’re done, maybe I could get a chance?"

Panicking, I pleaded for help from those around me, but no one stepped in. The thug kicked me to the ground. Lying there in despair, I grabbed at the hem of the only other woman’s skirt, hoping for her help. She pushed me away with disdain, as if I were diseased.

Curled up on the sidewalk, I closed my eyes. Clutching a stone, I was ready to defend myself if necessary. Then I heard Lilly’s voice.

"Ryland, you're devious. With this ‘damsel in distress’ stunt, she'll be forced to go along with your plan."

"Don’t overdo it," Ryland’s voice replied, "She’s going to be your sister-in-law eventually."

The voices faded as the thug attacked again. At the last moment, Ryland kicked him away, scooping me up from the ground.

"Your injuries aren’t even healed. Why are you out here?" Ryland scolded, holding me close.

"The photos are already online. I’m doing my best to contain them. No matter what happens, I’ll have your back, okay?"

Ryland sighed as he looked at me. Seeing my reluctance to return to the hospital, he brought me home.

The shrill ring of a phone shattered the silence between us. Ryland stepped away to answer in the living room. When he returned, he handed me a Victorian-style dress from the closet.

"Lilly means well. She found a top therapist from abroad for you. Let’s go see him."

A chill ran down my spine. Calmly, I pushed Ryland back. "I’m fine. I don’t need therapy."

He frowned, clearly displeased. "Penelope, be reasonable! We’re all trying to help."

Despite my protests, Ryland insisted on taking me to the car. His driving was reckless, and even lying flat in the passenger seat, every bump pulled painfully at my wounds, bringing back memories from two nights ago.

With a sudden stop, the car came to a halt, and Ryland opened my door, pulling me out. Onlookers glared maliciously, whispering vile comments. I could only cover my ears in shame, feeling like I belonged in the shadows.

Head down, I let Ryland lead me. As soon as we entered the consultation room, Lilly rushed to greet us.

"Penelope, I’ve found a psychologist from overseas. He’ll help heal the damage caused by that thug."

The therapist’s gaze unsettled me, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Ryland positioned me at the center of the room, the bright lights making me uncomfortable.

"Relax," the therapist said soothingly. "I know sitting's uncomfortable right now, so I’ve arranged a bed for you. Lie down however you’re most comfortable."

I fixed my eyes on the clock, counting the seconds. One... two... three...

I was in a fog, guided by the therapist to relive the events of the previous night over and over. Throughout this, I screamed, shouted, and tumbled repeatedly from the bed, only for Ryland Palmer to place me back. Until one time, while I was on the ground, terrified and unable to bear it any longer, I clutched at Ryland’s pant leg, "Please, help me. I’m scared. Save me."

I repeatedly banged my head against the floor, desperate not to relive the moment when the thug had tormented me. Ryland pulled his leg away, and the therapist kept applying psychological pressure. I was drawn into intensifying the ordeal, reliving the branding iron's burning pain, the knife slicing into my skin, leaving abusive words etched all over my body. I writhed on the floor in agony, constantly pleading for them to stop.

“Everything's set. Shall we proceed to the next stage?” someone said, but my mind was already foggy. “Boss, the hypnosis is complete. No matter what happens today, she won’t remember a thing.”

“But don’t push it too far. People have a strong survival instinct.”

Lilly chimed in playfully, “Ryland, I want Milo to have his revenge, so I’ve brought in a bunch of alley cats.”

“Can they stay with Penelope for a few hours? We'll observe from the control room to ensure no lasting harm comes to her. She won’t remember anything by tomorrow anyway.”

“I’ll get to avenge Milo, so why not? What do you say, Ryland?”

After a long pause, Ryland agreed. Those words terrified me. I wanted to struggle to my feet but felt like a ton of bricks was pressing me down. Tears streamed down my face, the humiliation of being utterly at their mercy left me gasping for air.

Soon, I felt cats jumping all over me. My scalp ached as if alley cats were clawing at it, and they started tearing at my clothes. “Ryland, I've come at just the right time, huh? Little sister-in-law’s clothes are all in tatters from these cats.”

“The thug’s had his fun. Ryland, she’s hypnotized anyway. Let us have a go.” I wanted to escape, but I couldn’t. Tears fell relentlessly onto the carpet. I heard Ryland’s detached voice utter these chilling words, “Go ahead, but be careful.”

My last glimmer of hope was thoroughly extinguished.