Gifts

Chapter 16 – Mental Health Awareness–1

The party ended quickly after that. Alden left after one drink and, afterwards, since the apparent draw of the evening was gone, all of the rest of the guests began to filter out as well.

As I watched them all leave – none saying a word to me, though they certainly looked me – I wondered about the point of this party.

Why had Kent wanted to introduce me to my father in front of all of these people, instead of in private? It certainly hadn’t been a party to celebrate me. Instead, it was more like a proof of life. Kent was demonstrating to the world that I exist – and that I’m in his power.

I stare down at the diamond on my finger, twisting the ring back and forth, seeing how it catches the light. Even though I’ve changed and into a pair of leggings and a super soft sweater – honestly, how do these clothes keep showing up in my room? – I don’t have the heart to take the ring off.

It’s just so beautiful. I’ve rarely had anything really pretty in my life and this was…stunning. And priceless, I think.

Maybe if I run away, I can sell this at a pawn shop and use the money to get to Europe, where Kent and my father can’t find

  1. me.

I grimace at the impossibility of all of that, though. I don’t even

a better chance to get back to my normal life.

But after this evening I realize that I’m just as much of a pawn in Alden’s world as Kent’s. And after seeing his crazy mood swings, I’m not sure Alden would be a better choice. Kent can be cruel, but at least he’s always in control.

Suddenly, outside of my door, I hear a huge thump and a groan. What –

I jump up from the bed and stare at the door, expecting it to swing open like it always does.

But nothing.

I hear the groan again.

Scared, but needing to know, I run to the door and pull it open.

I gasp at the sight before me.

Kent Lippert is laying on the ground of the hallway, groaning, his eyes pressed closed as he clutches his chest.

“Oh my god!” I say, looking either way down the hall for help. No one’s there.

to my knees beside him, reaching out to quickly

say, “are you all

He says,

– obviously – he

I’m relieved that he’s conscious, at least. I hesitate, trying to remember the First Responder course I took in

in your chest, your left

–” he says again, his eyes still pressed shut as he begins to pant. He tries to sit up but I put hands on his

around, still looking up and down the hall for help. Still, no one appears. How can I

B

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Gifts

Mental

I say, rising to my knee, but

little to squint at me. “Don’t go anywhere. Tell no one.”

him, appalled. “Kent, you could die

not going to die,” he grumbles, forcing the words from between his clenched teeth. “This

groans before forcing out the last word in

the floor, squeezing his eyes shut and

serious? Is this honestly

what can I do to help?” I

opens one eye and looks at me, clearly annoyed. “Go away,

him. Was he crazy? “Kent, you’re probably having a heart attack

Suddenly footstone.co

– Mental

my face that I think

– and

3/3

that happens to me. From time to time. It’s been happening for the

times of…stress.”

floor, my back still against the door,

“Oh my god,” I say, not even thinking about whether or not I

up at

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Gifts

16 – Mental

I continue, “but not usually to this extent. But we learned, in my program, that when they’re really severe they can present with the intensity of a heart

me or say a word. I bite my lip, feeling suddenly sorry for him. I can’t help it. I’ve never

that can help you with this sort of thing. You shouldn’t suffer like this, if they happen all the time.”

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