The Death That Drove Him Insane

When the pain got too much, I would clutch the bedsheets with all my strength. I tore off strips of cloth and stuffed them into my mouth, biting down hard.

I had begged the person watching over me to call Daniel. Yet, he kicked me to the ground in disdain. He claimed that Daniel was busy with his engagement to Jennifer Easton. Also, he said that Daniel didn't have time for a despicable and filthy woman like me.

Refusing to believe Daniel could be so heartless, I kept begging him to make the call. Annoyed, he finally gave in and dialed the familiar number in front of me.

The moment the call connected, I burst into tears. I told Daniel about my brain cancer and how the pain was killing me. I begged him to save me. I even told him that the diagnosis was in my suitcase, and all he had to do was open it.

But he cut me off, saying, "Jennifer's right, Helen. You're still full of lies. You haven't changed at all. You should be thinking about your mistakes. Even now, you're still trying to fool me with some sickness! If you really had the guts to die, I might actually respect you for once."

The call ended. After getting beaten up, I was locked in the room again.

…

Now, Daniel's gaze landed on the lock. He ordered the others to open it as he stood at the door, looking icy. "How long are you planning to keep this up, Helen? You've been nothing but mean to Jennifer after I started seeing her.

"You've said so many awful things about her, but she never held it against you. If it weren't for her noticing your addiction in time, you'd be rotting overseas by now. You know I'm impatient—get out and come home with me!"

He waited only a few seconds before angrily kicking the door open.

"You never change, do you? Jennifer asked me to come here and bring you back. I shouldn't have listened!"

Daniel kicked the door open and froze. Standing behind him, I followed his gaze.

The room was exactly as I had left it. The small window was ajar, swaying back and forth in the breeze. Having been battered by the weather, it creaked every time it moved.

Daniel had always hated noise. However, at this moment, his face showed no sign of irritation. There was only shock.

From where he stood, it was indeed shocking. A dark pool of blood spread beneath his feet. The door and walls were stained with blood. The bedsheets had been torn into strips. Even the pillow hadn't been spared.

The curtains, on the other hand, had long been taken down. The person keeping an eye on me was afraid I might hang myself and drag him down with me.

…

I had died the morning after I finally spoke to Daniel.

Maybe it was because I had been in pain all night, but the morning breeze felt oddly sweet. In that instant, I recalled the day when I was seven. After losing my parents, Daniel brought me back to Stewart Manor. From then on, he became the only one I ever relied on.

I squeezed through the only window that hadn't been sealed shut. Even if it meant that I had to break one of my arms.

The people outside heard the noise and rushed in. As they stared in panic, I jumped off the mountain without hesitation.

Terrified, they immediately informed Daniel. It was the day of his engagement party with Jennifer. He ended the call as soon as they finished speaking.

He had been busy entertaining guests and had no patience to listen. Perhaps he did, and he also thought that I was pulling another stunt to get his attention.

All he had said was, "From now on, I don't want to hear anything about her again!"

…

Daniel walked over to the window and looked down. A bottomless abyss stretched out beneath him.