More people poured into the room, their faces etched with confusion and alarm.

Terrified, Jeff tugged at Bertram’s sleeve. “Dad… What’s wrong with Mom?”

“I don’t know,” Bertram muttered, brow creased. “Call the doctor. Now!”

The doctor arrived quickly.

After a brief check, the doctor’s face darkened. “She’s suffered a severe mental shock. It’s broken her mind. There’s no telling if she’ll ever recover.”

“What do you mean?” Bertram demanded.

“To put it simply, she’s lost touch with reality.”

“You’re wrong!” Jeff cried, his voice high with panic. “My mom won’t go crazy! She’s the one who makes others go crazy! Who could possibly break her?”

A son knew his mother best. His words stung, but no one argued. They had all seen Irene’s ruthless strength. If anyone could bring her to this state, it could only be Jason. Yet Jason had always been the perfect son, obedient and loyal. No one could believe he would ever harm her.

Just as the confusion in the room peaked, Ruben hurried over, clutching his phone. “Bertram, quick! You have to see this — why would Jason send me such a strange message?”

At that time, the Evans family hadn’t yet heard of Taylor’s fall. No one knew what had truly happened.

The moment Ruben saw Jason’s text, his gut told him something was terribly wrong. He replied right away, but got no response. He called Jason again and again, only to hear the endless ring. Wracked with anxiety, he rushed to find Bertram, desperate for answers.

When Ruben walked in and saw Irene’s hysterical state, he froze. “What’s wrong with her?”

“The doctor said she had a severe shock. She’s not in her right mind,” Bertram explained curtly, eager to change the subject. “Dad, what did you want to show me?”

Ruben handed him the phone. “Jason sent me this odd message, and now he won’t answer my calls.”

Bertram scanned the text and then looked at the raving Irene. His blood ran cold. His face stiffened, and he stumbled back a step. Whatever had broken Irene had to be tied to Jason. And for her to be in this state, it had to be a matter of life and death. He couldn’t even bring himself to finish the thought.

Fearing Ruben might crumble from the possibility that Jason was dead, Bertram buried his suspicion deep.

“Dad, don’t worry too much,” Bertram said, forcing calm into his voice. “Jason probably messed something up at work. He’s just blaming himself. I’m sure it’s nothing serious. He only needs time to cool down.”

Ruben thought about it. Jason was always steady and reliable. The explanation seemed reasonable. Some of his worry faded, but unease still lingered. “Then I’ll call Cole. Maybe he knows something.”

“I’ll do it, Dad. You should rest,” Bertram insisted firmly.

As Jason’s father, a frantic worry was clawing at him. He had to be the one to get answers.

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