Chapter 56: Harriet's Birthday Party

“Why am I not wearing the hospital gown anymore?”

For a moment, an awkward silence hung in the air. Percival quickly explained, “The housekeeper changed your clothes. I saw your injuries, however. As a doctor, I don't consider gender; don't worry.”

Kaylee chuckled wryly. “What am I even worried about? Who would be interested in my battered body?” She shook her head. “That's not what I meant, but thank you. By the way, where are we? Didn't you take me to the hospital?”

“I was afraid the Goodridge family and Casimir might find out if you were admitted, so I brought you to my place,” Percival said, his expression turning serious.

“You mentioned the Goodridge family admitted you to a psychiatric hospital. What happened? What grudge could they possibly hold against you?”

Raylee’s eyes were lifeless as she murmured, “The psychiatrist said Samuel admitted me. I don’t know why he did that. I’ve been in jail for four years. Isn’t that enough? Does he want me dead? I’m a human being. We were siblings for eighteen years, yet he treats me worse than an animal.”

Tears welled in her eyes, her lashes trembling. She looked sorrowful and abandoned, a lost fairy in the mortal world. Her words and stifled tears choked Percival. He had suspected Raylee’s imprisonment wasn’t straightforward. Casimir’s attempts to reconcile with his former fiancée since her release hinted at either lingering feelings or a deeper reason for her incarceration.

An indescribable pang struck his heart. A doctor shouldn't over-empathize, but Raylee was an exception. He’d seen her gruesome wounds, the torment she'd endured. That night, holding her frail body, she felt like a broken porcelain doll—agonized yet resilient, like a stubborn blade of grass. Her suffering was heartbreaking.

The night was cool, the house not warm enough. Percival offered her a coat. “If you want, you can stay here to recover. You can even stay for a lifetime. This can be your sanctuary.”

Raylee was speechless, staring at him in shock. “Dr. Shapiro, we’re not exactly close…”

“We're human. We get closer with time. I'm just a surgeon, I don't understand family feuds, but I can save lives and heal the wounded, and no one can stop me.”

“Thank you, Dr. Shapiro,” Raylee finally said, tears welling up. “I can’t…”

Chapter 56: Harriet's Birthday Party (continued)

She would also cry from sadness and sympathy. Even an outsider offered sanctuary; why couldn't the Goodridge family?

Percival gently smoothed her hair. “Don’t cry. Look at this report—your blood test results.”

That day, Raylee, leaning on her crutches, insisted on returning to the Goodridge residence. Learning they were celebrating Harriet’s birthday at a restaurant, she rushed there.

In a luxurious private dining room, Waverly and Samuel sang “Happy Birthday” to Harriet, smiling. A beautiful, extravagant two-tiered cake sat on the table. Joy and warmth filled the scene.

Raylee forcefully opened the door. They turned, surprised. Samuel was especially shocked, rooted to the spot. I admitted Raylee to a psychiatric hospital; how did she get out?

He didn’t know that after Percival rescued Raylee, the hospital director, unsure how to explain the situation to Samuel, procrastinated, claiming Raylee was still hospitalized. He planned to let them argue when the truth could no longer be hidden.

“Ray—Ray, did you come to celebrate my birthday? Welcome,” Harriet said, beaming. Raylee’s absence had saddened her birthdays; Waverly’s company eased the pain.

Waverly smiled. “Raylee, I went to Goodridge Manor yesterday to invite you to Mom’s party, but Grandma said you were with Jeremiah. Mom will be overjoyed! What gift did you bring?”

Raylee, leaning on her crutches, held only two pieces of paper. There was no gift.

Chapter 57: Why Did You Try To Escape?

Waverly always brought up inappropriate things. “Consider my injured leg a gift. Satisfied?” Raylee glared.

“No need for gifts. Your presence is enough,” Harriet quickly interjected. “Wavy told me Ms. Sutherland accidentally hit you. It was an accident. Let’s not dwell on it today.”

Alaric, hoping to mend his relationship with Raylee, greeted her enthusiastically. “It’s wonderful you’re here! It’s been four years! Samuel, help your sister to a seat.”

Only then did Samuel break his silence. He avoided looking at Kaylee, his feet heavy, unable to help her.

“No need. Your touch makes me sick!” Raylee said coldly. She limped into the room, approached Samuel, and threw the blood test report at him.

“Ray—Ray, what are you doing? What is this?” Harriet cried, confused, picking up the report.

“Ask your son! This is my blood test report, proof I almost lost my sanity!” Raylee roared, raising her crutch towards him.

“Don’t hit Samuel!” Waverly shielded him, taking the blow. She screamed in pain.

This was Waverly's tactic: self-imposed suffering. The Goodridge family would support her as long as she endured hardship and complained. Kaylee felt no guilt for hitting the wrong person; she regretted not hitting Waverly harder. These siblings are terrible.

Samuel, seeing his beloved sister being bullied, became energized. “Take your anger out on me! Why did you hit Wavy? Apologize!” he shouted, furious.

“I aimed for you! She jumped in the way. Tell her to back off. You deserve a beating!” Kaylee glared.

Alaric snapped, “Ray—Ray, have you lost your mind? What has Samuel done?”

“Today is my birthday. Why are you arguing?” Harriet pleaded.

Waverly’s eyes welled up. “Raylee, today is Mom’s birthday. Please stop! It’s my fault. If I hadn’t come back… Raylee, if you stay, I’ll leave.”

Harriet grabbed her arm. “Wavy, this isn’t your fault! If you leave, I won’t celebrate!”

Chapter 57: Why Did You Try To Escape? (continued)

Seeing his wife and daughter bullied, Alaric reproached Raylee. “What’s so urgent? Why ruin everyone’s mood?”

Witnessing the nauseating mother-daughter display and facing the family’s accusations, Raylee laughed sarcastically. “Your son, Samuel, committed me to a psychiatric hospital. I jumped from the third floor trying to escape and almost died. Is that trivial, Mr. and Mrs. Goodridge?”

Alaric and Harriet were stunned, disbelieving their son could do such a thing. Before they could get a denial from Samuel, he anxiously exclaimed, “Why did you try to escape? Couldn’t you have stayed?”

It fell apart.

“You scoundrel! Why did you confine Ray—Ray?” Alaric demanded angrily.

Samuel, believing he’d done nothing wrong, argued, “Dad, I did it for our family. I didn’t let them hurt Ray—Ray, I only confined her.”

“Didn’t hurt me?” Raylee slapped the blood test report on his face again. “Look! This shows the drugs the psychiatrist injected. They cause hallucinations and loss of clarity. I would’ve become a fool!”