Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 109

Nora's heart slammed violently against her ribs.

"What do you mean?"

"His psychological stress has reached a critical threshold."

Leona's tone was grim. "If this continues without aggressive intervention, he is at severe risk of a total psychological breakdown."

A total psychological breakdown.

The words hit Nora like a bucket of ice water, freezing the blood in her veins.

"Are you sure?" she asked, her voice tight.

Leona nodded. "I've been a clinical psychologist for ten years. I've seen countless similar cases, but Mr. Lancaster is far more complex. His self-control is terrifying. It's so absolute that he's forcefully burying all his symptoms into the deepest recesses of his subconscious."

"But that kind of repression demands a brutal toll... He's like a spring being compressed tighter and tighter. One day, it’s going to snap, and when it does, it won't just be anxiety or insomnia."

Nora's fingers curled tightly into her palms. "What do we do?"

Leona pulled a sleek business card from her pocket and handed it over.

"This is my direct line. If you can convince him, we might be able to start with hypnotherapy..."

Nora looked down at the minimalist card.

Just a name and a number.

"I can't treat him if he sees me as an enemy."

Leona stated firmly. "Earning his trust will take time, and it will absolutely require your help."

Nora pocketed the card and nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Dr. Dalton."

"Of course."

Leona offered a small, reassuring smile. "Try not to panic. Yes, his state is precarious, but with immediate intervention, it is entirely manageable."

She paused, adding softly, "Provided he's willing."

...

Back in the private room, Hudson was leaning casually against the window frame, a cigarette burning low between his fingers. "You've got some nerve. Meeting her behind my back without reporting it to me first."

"..."

"I... I was just so thrilled when she reached out for a psychiatrist..."

Liam laughed nervously, taking a strategic half-step back. "It completely slipped my mind."

Liam opened his mouth to argue, but the icy, suffocating darkness in Hudson's eyes forced the words back down his throat.

He had shadowed Hudson for nearly a decade. He knew this man inside and out.

If Hudson didn't want to speak, no one could force him.

If Hudson didn't want to do something, no one could make him.

But Liam was desperate.

He tried a different angle. "Boss, Leona's hypnotherapy is world-class. Even if we skip the diagnostic, just let her run a relaxation session for you. Relying entirely on the meds with your current stress levels..."

"I haven't taken them."

Liam blinked. "What?"

"The meds. I stopped taking them," Hudson stated casually.

Liam's eyes widened, his voice cracking slightly. "Seriously?"

Annoyed by the volume, Hudson scowled and shot him a dark look.

Liam quickly slapped a hand over his mouth, but the sheer, blinding hope in his eyes was impossible to hide.