Chapter 269
The words “mentally ill” stung, and Dahlia’s hands were shaking even harder.
Camilla’s expression went cold. “If you two want to catch up, or if you have anything else to say, take it outside. Don’t disturb everyone else here p>
Magee shot a sideways look at Dahlia, his eyes clouded with emotion she couldn’t quite read. He didn’t argue, just took Pamela by the arm and left, closing the door behind them and leaving the room to Camilla and Dahlia.
Camilla gently patted Dahlia’s back. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s all behind you now. Really. You’re safe p>
Dahlia raised her head a little, tears staining her cheeks. Her eyes searched Camilla’s for reassurance. “Camilla, am I pathetic?” Her voice trembled. “It’s been years, but whenever I see her, I still get so scared. I thought I’d be better by now, but I’m not p>
“Being scared is normal,” Camilla said softly. “But look at you. You’re still standing, you’re taking care of yourself. That’s more than enough. You’re stronger than you think p>
Dahlia stayed quiet, her eyes empty and tired. After a moment, she glanced over at the door. Through the tiny glass window, she could see the back of Magee’s head. He was still talking to Pamela somewhere in the hallway. No sound reached their room, just a heavy silence.
An uneasy feeling crept up on Camilla. “Dahlia, you heard what he said just now, right? He’s not someone you can pin your hopes on. You’re still young, you have so much ahead of you. Don’t waste your time and energy on a person like that. It’s just not worth it, do you understand p>
Dahlia bit her lip until it turned pale. Her normally dark eyes churned with emotion that even Camilla couldn’t piece together. She still didn’t speak, which only made Camilla more on edge. She pressed again, “Dahlia, forget everything else for a minute. Can you just tell me, honestly, what’s really going through your mind right now p>
“I don’t know,” Dahlia whispered. Her fingers clung to the edge of Camilla’s sleeve. Her voice was barely holding together. “I don’t understand why they treat me like this. I just don’t get it. Camilla, I hate him, but I p>
The words tumbled out in messy fragments. She tried to hold herself together, clutching the front of her shirt over her chest as if that could keep her heart from shattering.
“Shh,” Camilla said softly. “If you can’t figure it out right now, that’s okay. Don’t force it. Don’t make things harder for yourself. I won’t try to talk you into anything, I promise. I know you’ll get through this, Dahlia. But whatever you decide, just don’t keep it from me, okay? Remember what we always said back in school? We have each other’s backs, no matter what p>
Dahlia gave a faint nod, but her eyes still looked empty.
It was just then that the door opened. Magee stood in the doorway. He glanced quickly at Dahlia, but his eyes settled on Camilla. “Camilla, can I talk to you for a minute p>
The hallway outside was silent, the cold early winter air making the space feel even lonelier. The quiet stretched out between them until Magee finally broke it.
“About Dahlia… when she was sick before, do you have her medical records? Or any details about her past treatments? I p>
Camilla cut him off. “Why are you asking this now? After everything, now you want to pretend you care about her? Isn’t it a little late for that? And don’t think I didn’t catch what you said earlier. Magee, Dahlia’s been through enough. She can’t take this back-and-forth, this push and pull. She isn’t something for you to control p>
Magee’s eyes dropped, guilt flickering across his face. “I didn’t mean it like that. It was my fault back then. I know I let Dahlia down, and I’m sorry. But I really am worried about her now. As for Pamela, I’ve already contacted the Gates family. She’ll be sent away. But seeing how Dahlia is right now… I just can’t let it go. I’m heading to Valdoria soon for a seminar and there are some top mental health experts there. I want to bring Dahlia along, to see if they can help her p>
Camilla’s answer was sharp, and a little disgusted. “You? After all the pain you caused her, you think you’re the right person to help? Even if she needs a doctor, we don’t need your help p>
Camilla had never trusted Magee, not then and not now. To her, he was no better than Barnard. There was no way she’d ever let Dahlia go with him.
Magee tried to explain. “Camilla, you don’t decide everything. I know you’re close with that person from the Charles family, but connections can only get you so far. Even they might not be able to find the best doctor for Dahlia. I just want her to get better. Back when p>
He seemed like he wanted to say more, but the words just hung in the air. Finally, he fell silent.
Camilla didn’t want to hear about the past. “If you really cared about Dahlia, you wouldn’t have disappeared all these years. You knew what Pamela was doing to her, and you never said a word in her defense. You show up out of nowhere, act like you care, and still couldn’t even stop Pamela from finding her again. After everything, what makes you think I’d ever trust you with her p>