The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

Chapter 141

N&S Psychiatric Hospital in Havenwood was steeped in urban legends. It was said that than of the patients locked within its walls were not just mentally ill but dangerous criminals who, due to their psychological conditions, could not be incarcerated in a regular prison.

Even the doctors and nurses who work there have been known to fear some of the patients. Aside from confining them within the hospital, they seldom exerted further control. In fact, if was rumored that staff members had been killed by patients on occasion.

Now, Arabella found herself in a truly terrifying situation. Surrounded by five menacing men, she screamed out in fear. Kicking the brooding figure who grabbed her, she scrambled to her feet and took off running.

She dashed down the corridor, passing many patients who were wandering aimlessly, engaging in bizarre behaviors that marked them as anything but normal.

Some patients ignored her, others beckoned her to join their games with eerie grins, and some lunged towards her with twisted faces and terrifying shouts.

The commotion of her footsteps and screams woke the sleeping patients in nearby rooms. Lights flickered on one by one, revealing dozens of mentally ill individuals who emerged to either observe her with indifferent eyes or leer at her with unsettling smiles.

The man chasing her, a rather large individual, was still bellowing behind her, demanding that

she become his wife.

“Open up! Hurry! Open the door!” Arabella fled back to the main entrance, but she had previously locked the small door in her panic. She banged on the security office window, shouting for help, but the room inside was pitch black, void of any sign of life.

Terror gripped her, causing her body to tremble as she broke down into a fit of desperate crying.

She made another frantic call to the police. Before the operator could even respond, she cried out, “Why haven’t you sent anyone to save me yet?! I’m at N&S Psychiatric Hospital! Please! Send someone to help me!”

Just as she finished her plea, the large man caught up to her once again. She spun around and dashed away, darting around the hospital like a scared animal, playing a horrifying garne of hide-and-seek with her pursuer.

In her desperation, she attempted to call the Hawthorn family for help. She reached out to Joseph first, but was promptly declined. The same happened when she tried to contact Michael and Beatrice. All of them had switched off their phones.

The chilling automated message, “The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable,” sent a shiver down Arabella’s spine.

Who else could help her?

Suddenly, she saw Dorian’s name in her contacts, and a spark of hope ignited within her.

Yes, she still had a foster father. She still had a dad.

Dorian would surely come to her rescue, just like he did the last time.

Cordelia, Dorian’s wife, answered the phone. She dismissively refused to believe Arabella’s plea for help, accusing her of trying to trap

never come to her aid again, no matter the circumstances. She had

Cordelia hung up the phone, Arabella felt herself teetering on the

on a bench in the deserted corridor. He had shaggy hair, wore black-rimmed glasses, and was dressed in a hospital gown. He was absorbed in a medical textbook in

Corpus” on the cover, Arabella

have been kind-hearted. He

Arabella pleaded while tugging at the

a curious glance at Arabella, who was not dressed in the usual

waltz into.”

open, so I ran in to hide. I didn’t know this was a mental hospital.” Arabella cried

quite peculiar.” The man mumbled, his eyes

The large man’s voice

help me hide!” Arabella’s hand trembled as she

clothes.

You can hide in it.” The man kindly

Arabella hesitated.

nobody strange inside.” The man reassured her in a

you, thank you.” Arabella muttered her

hid inside, listening as the large man’s heavy footsteps approached. He

2/4

Chapter 141

heart skipped a

with

Arabella’s heart settled.

large man gnawed on his fingers, his anxiety mounting as

to his lips, signaling for silence before gently coaxing him.

seemingly a bit scared of him, stopped his tantrum and

giant potted plant, the cabinets in the main

fingernails bloody from his anxious gnawing. He looked ready to start yelling

bespectacled man gestured for silence again before

still seemingly afraid of him, nodded

Arabella heard their footsteps growing fainter, her frantic heartbeat finally calmed

moment to observe her temporary sanctuary. The room was clean, and the bed was neatly made with sheets that bore the “N&S Psychiatric Hospital”

was

trust in the right man. Now, she was safe. She pulled out her phone, intending to call the police again, only to find that

police; she couldn’t understand why they

Hawthorn family and about Dorian as anger bubbled within her, especially towards Cordelia. She’d answered her call only

if she’d

Thaddeus or Vivienne this way? In the end,