As if she''d put too much effort into it, Rachel found herself suddenly sprawled on the floor.


    Right then, the door swung open, and an impably handsome man appeared in the doorway.


    Seeing Rachel on the ground, his expression darkened, and he quickly stepped forward to help her up.


    "Rachel, are you okay?" he asked gently.


    Rachel, who was in a state of panic, looked at the familiar, handsome face of the man before her, and her wild gaze seemed to regain some rity.


    She copsed into Haynes'' arms, crying uncontrobly. "Haynie, it was terrifying! They want to lock me in a dark room! Haynie, please save me, I don''t want to go there!"


    Haynes furrowed his brows slightly and said in a low voice, "Don''t be afraid. As long as I''m here, no one can take you away."


    Ste felt a sharp pang in her chest, as if something had pierced her heart.


    With tear-filled eyes, Rachel looked up at him, "Haynie, will you really protect me?"


    "Yes."


    His words offort seemed to calm Rachel down a bit.


    She whispered, "Haynie, I don''t want to stay here."


    "Okay."


    Just as Haynes was about to take Rachel away, Abby couldn''t hold back any longer.


    "Haynes, are you seriously going to cuddle with another woman right in front of your wife?"


    It was as if Haynes only then noticed the other people in the room.


    When he saw Ste standing quietly to the side, his eyes darkened slightly.


    The police, who had been startled by Rachel''s sudden outburst, finally came to their senses.


    "Ms. Pearce is suspected of kidnapping," one of them said, "and we need Ms. Pearce toe with us for questioning."


    Haynes turned away and spoke calmly, "As you can see, she''s not in a stable mental state. I''m afraid she won''t be able to cooperate with your investigation."


    The police officer frowned, knowing that dealing with a suspect like Rachel, who had mental health issues, was quite challenging.


    Just then, Benson entered the room, holding a stack of papers.


    "Ms. Pearce is currently receiving treatment at the hospital. She has been diagnosed with severe depression, and her mental state is not well. Here is her psychiatric evaluation report."


    Since Rachel hadn''t been convicted and was still a hospital patient with mental health issues, the police couldn''t forcibly take her away.


    The officers exchanged nces and said, "In that case, we''ll need her guardian toe with us to provide a statement."


    Haynes turned to Benson and said, "Take Rachel back to her room."


    "Haynie, don''t leave!" Rachel clung to his arm, her face filled with fear. "I''m scared, please don''t go!"


    Ste managed a forced smile while watching Rachel cling fearfully to Haynes, her eyes cold as a winter breeze.


    Perhaps aware of Ste''s watchful gaze, Haynes gently pushed Rachel away. "Go and rest for now. I''lle by to see youter."


    "No! I don''t want to!" Rachel''s emotions suddenly surged, her eyes wide with terror. "Haynie, don''t go! The dark room is terrifying! They whip people—it''s so painful... Please, don''t go!"


    "I''ll be fine."


    Rachel''s face turned pale, and tears streamed down her cheeks as she clung desperately to Haynes, refusing to let go.


    "Haynie, if someone has to go, let it be me. Please, don''t go. It''s too dangerous..."


    With that, Rachel hurried to the police officers.


    "Take me instead. Haynie is innocent! This has nothing to do with him. Please, don''t make it hard on him!"