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.

refused to believe Arabella’s plea for help, accusing her of trying to trap

to her aid again, no matter the circumstances. She had squandered

the phone, Arabella felt herself

hair, wore black-rimmed glasses, and was dressed in a hospital

the

medical books must have

tugging at the man’s clothes. “Someone is chasing

man looked up from his book, casting a curious glance at Arabella, who was not dressed in the usual patient

waltz into.”

chased, and I saw the door open, so I ran in to hide. I didn’t know this was a mental hospital.”

man mumbled, his eyes hidden

wife! My wife!” The large man’s

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

clothes.

can hide in it.” The man kindly pointed

Arabella hesitated.

nobody strange inside.” The man reassured

her

heavy footsteps approached. He queried the bespectacled man. “Bro, have you seen

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Chapter 141

skipped

with

Arabella’s heart settled.

on his fingers, his anxiety mounting as he started to yell and cry.

bespectacled man raised a finger to his lips, signaling for silence before

scared of him, stopped his

men’s footsteps receded. Their search took them to various places. The corner with a giant potted plant, the cabinets in the main hall, and

man grew increasingly anxious, his fingernails bloody

gestured for silence again before suggesting, “Let’s go look

man, still seemingly afraid of him,

fainter, her frantic heartbeat

moment to observe her temporary sanctuary. The room was clean, and

table beside the bed was stacked

breathed a sigh of relief, grateful to have put her trust in the right man. Now, she was safe. She pulled out her phone,

police; she couldn’t understand why they hadn’t shown up. yet. She’d given them the exact

bubbled within her, especially towards Cordelia. She’d answered her call only to cruelly

she’d lied once

Cordelia treat Thaddeus or Vivienne this way? In