Chapter 2
Seven years ago, the biggest kidnapping case in New York involved Calvin taking her place and getting trapped in an elevator high above the ground. He was trapped without water for two weeks, and his life was hanging by a thread.
When the police finally found him, he was curled up in a corner like a dying animal.
Calvin used to be cold and quiet. But after that, he just stared blankly and didn’t respond to anything. It was like he wasn’t there anymore. Doctors
said he had autism.
To make it up to him, the Ziegler family immediately arranged for Helena to marry him.
On their wedding night, she felt both excited and nervous. She had secretly loved him for a long time and never thought they would end up together.
She promised herself she’d take care of him and hoped that she would let him get better,
But that night, Calvin didn’t react at all. He just lay there. Seeing her trying to get close, he just said, “Get lost.”
Thinking about that moment, Helena’s heart tightened. She lifted her head, looked at him, and said firmly, “Calvin, what if I insist?”
Calvin frowned and suddenly stabbed the pen into his hand. Blood hit the floor right away, bright and shocking against the tiles.
Helena shook her head in horror. “Fine, fine! I don’t want it anymore! I’m
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sorry, Calvin!”
He seemed to catch what she was saying and finally stopped, though blood still dripped down.
Helena hurried to wipe the blood off his hand, her eyes swollen as she stared at the bite marks on his fingers–something he’d done because of
his autism.
She had given herself just one month to try and make things right with
Calvin.
If nothing changed by then, she would be the one to end the marriage and let him be with Kate.
The next morning, just as Helena was about to cancel Kate’s therapy sessions, the maid, Dorothy Pearson, suddenly knocked and said, “Mrs. Fernandez, Dr. Sullivan is waiting in the study. Should I call Mr. Fernandez?”
Helena said coldly, “No. I’ll speak to her myself.”
She stood up, walked straight to the study, and opened the door. Kate looked up when she heard it.
Her smile faded fast when she saw Helena. She blurted out, “Why are you here? Where’s Calvin?”
Then, Kate came back to her senses and quickly looked away. “Ms. Ziegler, this session is meant to be private–just me and Professor Fernandez.”
“Calvin? That sounds way too familiar,” Helena thought.
She dug her nails into her palm and smiled. “He was a little too energetic last night. Probably worn out. He’s still sleeping. I couldn’t bear to wake him up. Dr. Sullivan, mind waiting a bit?”
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Chapter 2
Kate’s expression stiffened as she gave a small nod. “That’s fine. I get it.”
Helena glanced down at Kate’s dress. It clung to her body and had a slit so high it almost showed everything. Her skin looked so smooth and pale.
Helena had watched the footage yesterday. Kate wasn’t wearing anything. Her skin looked smooth and glowing–way better than the rough, dark scabs covering Helena’s body.
Even someone like Calvin, who had autism and no experience with intimacy, struggled to fight off the pleasure.
It was the first time Helena had ever seen that lost and obsessed expression on his face, like he couldn’t get enough of what was happening.
He used to reject her, didn’t he? He once acted like even touching her was filthy.
But with Kate, it was different. All his fear of germs and mental hang–ups vanished. He didn’t even try to stop her.
Helena felt like something inside her chest was twisting hard. It hurt. She felt sore, bitter, and incredibly jealous.
She looked straight at Kate and said coldly, “Oh, and Dr. Sullivan, Calvin told me last night that your therapy sessions made him uncomfortable. You don’t need to come again. I’ll hire someone else. Your payment will be settled today.”
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Chapter 3