LEAVE AS IT IS, JUST FIT IN

Inside a hospital room, Dorian’s mom mrs James sat alone on the edge of a bed, her back turned to the door as she stared out the window.

Footsteps approached. A group of escort staff and professionals walked into the room. 

"Ma'am, we're here to escort you," one of them announced. 

She slowly turned her head, Her gaze was piercing. 

Later, dressed sharply in a white pantsuit, she stepped outside the facility. A black luxury sedan awaited her, a staff member holding the door open.

Back down in the neighborhood by the trees, Dorian was crouched down beside two elderly women playing board games on the bench. He held up his phone, showing them the sketch he and Theodore had drawn about the lady.

"she has fair skin," he described earnestly. "And she has a baby face... Her eyes are big like this... But when she smiles, they turn into cute puppy eyes." 

One of the elderly women squinted at the screen, then chuckled. "Oh, I know her." 

His eyes went wide in utter disbelief. "You do? Really?" 

"That's me," the woman joked, pointing at herself with a grin. "This is exactly what I looked like when I was young! All the men used to line up around the block." 

He burst out laughing, while shaking his head.

Just then, his phone buzzed flashing an incoming call from the PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL HEAD NURSE. 

"Excuse me for a moment," i said, standing up quickly and walking away.

"Hello?" I answered, my expression shifting into focus. 

"Right now?" 

"Okay, I understand." I hanged up

Meanwhile, on the lawns of the grand estate, a professional photographer stood behind a tripod, snapping pictures of a

executive panel seated outdoors. 

"Congratulations on being the leading baby product brand for 20 consecutive years," someone remarked off camera. "What's the secret behind your lasting popularity?" 

"There's no secret," Dorian’s dad the Chairman replied while gently reaching over to place his hand atop Mrs James resting hand. Mrs James sat stiffly, her expression distant. "I always make our products with the mindset that my wife and kids will be using them. I'm just grateful our consumers have come to recognize our sincerity". 

The interviewer nodded approvingly, turning her attention toward Dorian’s adopted elder sister Ms. Louis seated nearby. "We all expected it, but it appears your family was the motivation. It's our first meeting, Director Louis, and I must say, you're beautiful. You look just like your mother". 

Louis offered a polite smile. "Director James" the interviewer pressed on, glancing curiously toward Louis. "What type of daughter is Director Louis at home?" 

For a tense moment, silence hung in the air. Then, Mrs. James suddenly let out a breathless laugh. Her shoulders shook as the laughter escalated into uncontrolled giggles. The chairman glanced sideways at her with a forced smile while Louis watched with a stone cold expression. 

Mrs James laughter abruptly fractured into a fit of agonizing sobs. She gasped for air, tears streaming down her face. 

"Mom!" 

Dorian suddenly sprinted across the lawn, panic etched into his features as he rushed past the cameras. He dropped to his knees beside her, grabbing her arms to steady her. "Mom, are you okay!”

Louis watched the commotion unfold, her face still stone cold. She turned to the interviewer and stood up. "I'm sorry to say, but I think we'll stop her for today". 

The chairman stood, placing a hand on Dorian shoulder while trying to smooth things over. "we'll have to wrap it up here. My wife's not feeling well". 

the interviewer replied politely gathered her equipments and walks off with a confused expression on her face.

Inside the luxurious interior of the house, Dorian knelt before Mrs. James, holding her hands tightly in his.

Mrs. James stared blankly, her eyes hollow. A nurse stepped forward, placing a serving tray on a nearby side table and pouring a warm cup of herbal tea. She carefully handed the cup to Mrs. James, whose hands trembled as Dorian guided her fingers around it. 

Dorian looked into her eyes with deep concern. "Rest for a bit before you come down. I'll take you back to the hospital". 

At that, Mrs. James didn't answer. Dorian slowly stood up, casting one last worried look back at her before turning around and walking out of the room. 

Out on the pathway, the chairman stood waiting for a corporate associate in a gray suit. 

"Go take care of it," Mr. James instructed coldly. "Make sure that reporter keeps quiet". 

"Yes, sir," the associate replied, bowing before turning to leave. 

Dorian descended the steps, his expression dark with fury. He marched straight up to Mr. James. 

"Have you lost your mind?" Dorian snapped, his voice trembling with rage. "She's suffering as it is from the side effects of her medication! Did you have to bring her here to disgrace her?" 

Mr. James glared back at him, unfazed. "All she had to do was sit there quietly. It's the least a deadbeat wife can do!" 

Dorian shouted, stepping closer. “Why do you think she can't do anything anymore? You made her like that!" 

Furious, the Mr. James lashed out, striking Dorian across the face. Dorian stumbled to the side from the impact, catching his breath as he stared back at his father with burning eyes. 

Dorian whispered, his voice intense. "Just get a divorce already". 

Mr. James scoffed, disbelief flashing across his face. "Did you forget what our company sells? Baby products packaged with love and happiness. And you refuse to let her go to sell that public image. Is that more important than a person's life? What if she tries to—" 

Dorian paused, his expression hardening. "If you divorce her, I'll do whatever you want". 

Mr. James narrowed his eyes, listening closely. 

"fine, In that case, stop what you're doing now and come work for the company. And marry Chairman bohemian daughter Caris".  Mr. James implied.

"If I do that, will you let Mother go?" Dorian asked. 

"Did I ever fail to keep my word when it came to the company?" Mr. James retorted. 

Dorian agreed coldly. "I'll write up the notarized document regarding the agreement and send it to you". 

As Dorian turned and walked away, Louis stepped out from behind the hedges, watching him leave with a calculating look. 

Mr. James watched his son depart, a smug smirk spreading across his face.

He turned to Louis. "Heard that? Make a position for Dorian in the company". 

Louis smiled faintly. Then, her smile faltered slightly as she looked closer. " are you sure about this? You're risking divorce". 

Mr. James chuckled. "If it's a profitable deal, there's no reason not to". Louis smiled, her expression admiring his calculated ambition. 

Later, a dark SUV drove down a tree lined road. Inside, Dorian kept his eyes locked on the road ahead while driving, and Mrs. James sat quietly in the backseat, gazing blankly out the window. 

"Mom," Dorian spoke softly, breaking the silence. "I should've prevented it in advance... Mia—" 

Mrs. James turned her head slowly, interrupting him with a gentle voice. "What do you have to be sorry about?" 

As she reached up to adjust her hair, a memory flashed through her mind: young Dorian in a uniform standing frozen in a dark room, staring in horror as a rocking chair creaked back and forth over a pool of blood on the wooden floor. 

“Mom! Mom!” Dorian screamed frantically, his face pale as Mrs. James sat motionless in the chair, a small golden locket clutched tightly in her lifeless looking hand.