Chapter 5
I spent half a month in the hospital, and finally got discharged.
For once, Sebastian showed up to help me with the discharge paperwork.
The doctor adjusted his glasses and passed the report over to him. "Your wife's depression is now classified as severe, and she shows strong signs of self-harm."
"Severe... depression?" Sebastian's voice was tight, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of the report. "How did it get this bad?"
The doctor kept talking, and suddenly Sebastian's eyes went red.
He turned to me, sitting off to the side, his gaze full of shock and pain.
He rushed over, crouched down in front of me, and gently took my hand.
"I'm sorry." His voice broke. "I promise, I'll take care of you."
His fingers gently brushed over my wrist, still wrapped in thick bandages.
"I should've noticed." His voice rough. His fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the report. "You've been having trouble sleeping. And you haven't been eating well..."
I leaned back in my chair, my gaze drifting out the window.
His guilt barely reached me, like I was hearing it from behind a wall of glass.
"That day, you asked if I could go with you to your follow-up appointment... " His voice suddenly caught, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I said Sophie needed her check-up..."
The room fell silent.
Suddenly, Sebastian grabbed my hand, his grip so tight it made me wince. "I'm sorry. I was so clueless."
I calmly pulled my hand back, feeling the cold sweat still lingering on his palm.
His phone buzzed in his pocket, but he ignored it without even glancing at the screen.
"I should've paid more attention to you." His eyes were misty with tears, and his voice grew quieter. "Instead of always focusing on..."
"I really regret it," he said. "Please, give me a chance to make it up to you, okay?"
I remained silent, keeping my gaze fixed out the window.
His guilt came too late. By then, I no longer needed it.
"These medications must be taken on time," the doctor said, pointing at the prescription slip, his voice softer. "One pill after breakfast, two before bed."
He glanced up at Sebastian. "Don't miss a single dose."
Sebastian nodded again and again, his fingers absentmindedly rubbing the edge of the pill box.
The doctor went on, "Keep a close eye on her mood swings. If anything feels off, report it right away."
"Will she... ever..." Sebastian's voice caught, his throat working against the words. "Will she... do something stupid again?"
The doctor sighed. "It's all about how much her family is there for her."
He gave Sebastian a meaningful look. "What people with depression need most is a sense of security."
Sebastian's eyes suddenly went red.
He clutched the prescription bag so hard his knuckles went white. "I'll take good care of her."
He fussed over the meds, double-checking the instructions on every box.
He was tender in his movements, as though the slightest sound might break me.
He looked up at me, his voice shaky. "I'll take care of you."
I barely acknowledged him with a soft "yeah," my gaze drifting out the window.
Back home, Sebastian put on an apron and started bustling around the kitchen, glancing over at me every so often.
"I made you some soup. The doctor said it's good for your stomach," he said.
He filled a bowl, blew on it to cool it, and handed it to me. "Careful, it's hot."
I took it mechanically, swallowing without tasting a thing.
Suddenly, his phone started ringing, Jessica's name kept flashing on the screen.
He hesitated for a second, then picked up.