Chapter 3

With that, I turned and walked straight toward the ballroom exit.

The ringing left me dizzy and nauseous; I knew I needed to take my medication immediately.

Footsteps hurried after me.

I assumed it was Lucas, but it turned out to be Ethan.

He caught up and held my arm to steady me, asking:

"Is your head pounding again? Where are your pills?"

"I've noticed your symptoms getting worse, and you've lost so much weight. What did the specialist say?"

Severe depression.

Accompanied by somatic symptoms and neurogenic tinnitus.

The exact words from my diagnosis flashed across my mind.

Shaking my head, I replied:

"At home. I forgot to bring them. It's fine, just the same old thing."

"Where's Lucas?"

Ethan pressed his lips together, clearly annoyed that I had brought up his brother.

His tone turned sharp:

"He's talking to Chloe, trying to get that ring back for you."

"Forget about him. I'll drive you home."

I didn't argue.

If the pain worsened, I feared I'd collapse right there on the pavement.

Stumbling through my apartment door, I reached desperately for the pill bottle. Ethan poured a glass of water and handed it to me.

Seeing how deathly pale I looked, he couldn't help but ask:

"What is this illness really? You've gone through at least seven or eight of these bottles. You can't keep living like this—are you treating your body like a walking pharmacy? I know Dr. Miller, the chief of psychiatry. I'll set up a full checkup for you."

"Autumn, stop running away from medical help."

I washed the pills down with warm water.

Swallowing too quickly, a violent wave of nausea surged up my throat.

I shoved Ethan's supporting hand away, barely choking out a breathless whisper:

"Bathroom!"

Ethan watched my frail, trembling back, his brows knitting tightly together.

Seeing the bathroom door slam shut, he walked over, unscrewed the medication bottle, and tipped two pills into his palm.

He slipped them into his pocket.

Immediately, he tapped out a message to Dr. Miller:

[I have some medication. I need you to analyze its chemical composition.]

Pausing for a second, Ethan added another line:

[Urgent.]

When I finally emerged from the bathroom, some color had returned to my face, and the throbbing headache and ringing were temporarily dampened.

Ethan didn't linger.

After telling me to get some rest, he left.

I nodded, swallowed a couple of sleeping pills, and pulled the covers over my head to sleep.

The next morning, the alarm woke me. I took my resignation letter to the office, wrapped up my exit interview, and then met with my landlady, Mrs. Gable, to discuss breaking my lease early.

Mrs. Gable was a sweet, kindhearted woman.

I had run into her at the clinic before. Right as I walked out of the therapy wing, I saw her guiding her daughter, who was battling severe postpartum depression.

We had shared a quiet, knowing look.

Mrs. Gable had taken one look at my hollow expression and understood everything.

She hadn't pressed, just made gentle small talk like nothing was out of the ordinary.

The following month, she concocted a random excuse to lower my rent.

Hearing that I was moving out to travel and clear my head, Mrs. Gable smiled, but tears welled up in her eyes:

"Go have fun, and stay safe. Don't do anything... dangerous, okay?"

"If you ever come back to visit, dinner's on me."

Only later did I learn that her daughter had taken her own life. They hadn't been able to save her.

Back in my apartment, I packed my things. I barely owned anything; everything fit neatly into two suitcases.

I wasn't sure where to stash them yet.

Mrs. Gable offered to keep them in her spare room until I returned.

Grateful and a bit embarrassed, I handed her some cash as a storage fee.

My one-way flight was booked for early tomorrow morning.

It was still early, and I intended to get a good, peaceful rest.

Just as I lay down, the doorbell rang.

Lucas's excited voice boomed through the door:

"Autumn, open up! We're getting married tomorrow, why aren't you in a rush?"

"I'm taking you to pick out your wedding dress right now!"