---- Chapter 15 The next morning, Ethan showed up at Ilene's wrecked apartment. The police were gone, but the place was a disaster zone. He found her huddled in a corner, her face swollen from crying. He put on a mask of gentle concern. "Ilene," he said softly. "l made you breakfast." She looked up, her eyes widening with a pathetic flicker of hope. She thought he was there to save her. She thought his rage had been a momentary lapse, that he had come back to her. She let his bodyguards lead her to his car. She didn't realize her fate was sealed. "Are you forgiving me, Ethan?" she asked, her voice trembling as the car pulled away from the city. He didn't answer. He just stared out the window as the skyscrapers gave way to desolate fields. The car stopped in front of a grim, grey building surrounded by a high fence. A sign by the gate read: "Clearwater Psychiatric Hospital." ---- Ilene' s face drained of all color. "No," she whispered, her eyes wide with terror. "Ethan, no, you can't." She started screaming, clawing at the door. The bodyguards dragged her out of the car. She fell to her knees, grabbing at the hem of his pants. "| was wrong, Ethan! I'm sorry! Please, don't leave me here!" He looked down at her, his face a cold, emotionless mask. "You love to pretend you're sick, don't you, Ilene?" he said, his voice like ice. "You love to threaten suicide. You love to hurt innocent people." He smiled, a cruel, chilling smile. "Well, | found the perfect place for you. You can play crazy for the rest of your life." A team of burly hospital orderlies came out, led by a stern- looking doctor. "Mr. Bruce," the doctor said. "She's all set. We have her room ready." Ilene was dragged away, screaming and fighting. They strapped her to a gurney and wheeled her inside. Her cries were cut off as the heavy steel doors slammed shut. Ethan stood there for a long time, listening to the silence. ---- He had gotten his revenge. But it felt hollow. It didn't bring him peace. It didn't bring Aurora back. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!