Alice's POV

When the director heard my confession, she declared that I was morally corrupt, not only suffering from a mental illness but also attempting to violate ethics. To make me seek atonement from the Moon Goddess, she had invested a great deal of effort. I touched the bloodstains on my thigh, and a relieved smile graced my lips.

Thud, thud. There was a sudden knock at the door.

"Who's there?"

"It's me. Robert."

Robert's voice was somber.

"I want to rest."

"I told you to open the door."

Through the door, I sensed his towering anger. I leaped out of bed to lock the door from the inside, but the lock clicked as the key turned.

The next moment, the door was pushed open. Robert walked in, his expression stern, and he seized my wrist.

"Alice, are you sick?"

"I'm not... I'm not sick..."

I dared not look at him.

"Is that so?"

Robert's face darkened to the extreme, and he emptied a pile of medication from his briefcase onto the table.

"Since you're not ill, explain these medications to me!"

"I..."

"Go to the hospital."

"No, please."

But Robert paid no heed to my pleas. He dragged me out of the rental house.

Robert forced me into the car. Knowing there was no escape, I attempted to reason with him.

"I only take those medications when I'm emotionally disturbed."

"Since my return to the New Moon pack, I haven't seen you stabilize emotionally," Robert replied while driving. "Being ill isn't frightening; what's truly frightening is not recognizing the cause and missing the best treatment opportunity."

"You never believed me."

Three years ago, on the day he personally sent me to the sanctuary, he said the same thing. No matter how I explained, how I begged, in his eyes, I was a terminally ill patient. But three years ago, I didn't cry. Now, remembering the experiences in the sanctuary, I cried out of fear.

"Robert, if you must make me see a witch doctor, can you... not take me back to the sanctuary? From now on, I'll obediently do as you say."

Robert suddenly pulled over to the side of the road, grabbed a few tissues, and wiped away my tears.

"Alice, I only want to help you."

"I know."

Robert sighed and continued driving. The car headed north at the crossroads, not towards the sanctuary. I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

At the hospital, Robert took me to the psychology department. There were many assessments, and I spent a full three hours.

Robert waited outside the entire time. When I exited, I saw Robert holding a large bouquet of champagne roses.

"You used to love these the most."

Robert handed me the flowers. I took a step back and sneezed several times.

"I've been severely allergic to champagne roses for the past three years. I don't like them anymore."

I was a little afraid that Robert would get angry because of the flowers.

Robert gazed at me quietly. "It's okay. Whatever flowers you like, I'll get them for you."

"I don't like any flowers now."

I shook my head timidly. Champagne roses symbolized "I'm devoted to you." After coming of age, I sent Robert a large bouquet of champagne roses every holiday. Now, I realized, what's the use of beautiful flowers? They withered in just a few days.

While awaiting the results of the psychological evaluation, Robert stayed by my side. I pursed my lips, not knowing where to put my nervous hands.

"I'm sorry, Uncle. I seem to be causing you trouble. You're handling all the affairs of the New Moon pack now, and your time is precious. You shouldn't be wasted on trivial matters like this."

Robert remained motionless for a long time. Did he refuse to accept my verbal apology? About to kneel to apologize to him, Robert noticed my intention and promptly pressed me back into the chair.

This incident involved my thigh, and the pain made me furrow my brows. Now Robert was flustered.

"I'm sorry, Alice. I'll be more careful with my words and actions in the future."

"It's not you, Uncle, you're good... It's me. I shouldn't make you apologize. I'm sorry."

"Alice!"

Robert's expression suddenly contorted with pain.

"Can you please stop apologizing and kneeling down? Why have you become like this?"

A well-behaved, ethical Alice. What's wrong with that? Why did Uncle look like he was in so much pain?