Page 27 of Her Sweet Surrender
“Is this the reason the Reverend Mother is stepping down from her position?”
“I believe so, although she refuses to admit it. She tells me that she believes the creature is no longer progressing, and she blames herself for the failure.”
“She is not at fault,” Sir stated with disgust.
“I agree, comrade. However, I have not been able to convince the Reverend Mother of that.”
“What did Dr. Volkov have to say?” Brie asked.
“After a thorough psychological examination, he’s concluded that the creature suffers from a delusional disorder and will continue to need twenty-four-seven care during treatment.”
“So, he believes she can be treated?” Sir asked, stunned.
Rytsar hesitated when he answered. “He believes with proper medical treatment and psychotherapy, she may recover. However, her delusional disorder is highly resistant to medication alone. People with severe symptoms must be hospitalized to prevent them from hurting others until the condition can be stabilized.”
“Does he have any idea how long that will take?”
“No,moy droog. He told me he has never encountered a case as severe as hers.”
Goosebumps rose on Brie’s skin. To hear from a medical doctor that Lilly was mentally psychotic and a danger to others cemented her greatest fears.
Sir growled. “I don’t like this. No hospital is secure enough to hold her.”
“I agree,” Brie cried. “Lilly would escape at the first opportunity.”
“I concur,” Rytsar stated.
“But you did say she is no longer obsessed with Sir. That is a positive step, right?” Brie asked, needing something to hold onto.
“Not necessarily,” Rytsar answered.
Sir furrowed his brow. “Why is that?”
“She wants to make you pay for abandoning her child.”
“God, will this insanity ever end?” he snarled.
“It could,” Rytsar replied. “Just say the word.”
Brie’s heart began to race. She understood his offer. It was frightening to know that with one word, they could end Lilly’s life and move on as if it never happened. It would be so simple and yet so monstrous.
She stared at the phone after the call ended. She had hoped for better news and was struggling with what they had just learned.
Sir broke the unnerving silence. “Excuse me. I need to make a phone call.”
He left the room abruptly, heading into his office.
Brie looked at Hope, innocently playing in her bouncer. Whatever decision they made would ultimately boil down to keeping Hope and their new child safe. The question was—would they be able to live with it?
When Sir came out of his office an hour later, he informed her, “The meeting you and I discussed was set for Friday, but I’ve rescheduled it for tonight. Can you be ready by seven?”
“Absolutely, Sir.”
“Good.” He looked down at the floor with a pained expression.
Brie understood he was anxious about confronting his past with Lilly, but she knew it was vital he face it now after hearing the recent news.
Smiling at him encouragingly, she asked, “Should I call the Reynolds to pick up Hope?”
