After I Died, My Husband Went Mad [EN]: Chapter 60

Sevelia realized that the biggest obstacle preventing her from offering a genuine welcome was her lingering illness. It was the very thing shackling her to this place.

‘What should I do?’

Sevelia pondered. Her condition wasn’t dire. Since arriving at the institute, she hadn’t experienced any bleeding, and her body hadn’t stiffened. She even entertained the idea of being discharged and visiting the institute occasionally or having medication delivered.

‘But I can’t decide this on my own.’

She wanted expert advice. Despite her anxiety, she didn’t want to make the mistake of missing her treatment window. So, when Wetz asked during her next check-up if she had any concerns, Sevelia was secretly relieved.

“Have you been worried about something lately? I don’t mean to pry, but I need to know if your previous collapse was stress-related.”

“Ah……”

Sevelia hesitated, realizing her opinion might displease Wetz. But Wetz seemed prepared to wait for her to speak.

Sevelia spoke calmly.

“Actually, I left family behind without telling them I was coming here. I’ve been struggling with the worry that I should return. I was wondering if outpatient treatment would be possible……”

“I see, I understand completely.”

Wetz nodded in agreement.

‘She wants to leave the institute.’

It was a common request, given that it was a research institute isolated in the mountains, not a hospital in a town. But Wetz felt the need to reassure her.

“As I’ve said before, if the patient is determined, the location is less important. But the disease won’t wait for anyone’s circumstances.”

Wetz turned to a bookshelf, retrieved a thick file, and placed it in front of her. The yellowed papers suggested it was quite old.

“These are records of patients I treated early in my career. Even when the institute was in a different location, a third of them left during treatment.”

“Yes?”

Sevelia, puzzled, looked up from the file. Wetz met her surprised blue eyes.

“As they saw progress, the disease seemed less frightening. They felt fine and didn’t think they needed treatment, even scolding me for holding them back.”

People whose anxiety was resolving quickly reverted to their old habits. Before becoming ill, they were often lazy, complacent, and unrealistically optimistic.

They also wanted a quick and easy cure, hoping for rapid improvement. The strong will that made treatment possible often vanished.

“I’ve even been told, ‘Why don’t you treat me faster if you can?’”

“That……”

Sevelia trailed off, incredulous. She looked back at the file.

The documents numbered over a hundred. A third had left before being cured. Wetz seized the opportunity.

“And they all returned within six months. Outpatient treatment was only nominally effective because it relied on their willpower. By the time they returned, they had missed the critical treatment period.”

“……”

“Bella, please listen to me. I don’t want you to follow the same path.”

Wetz’s brown eyes held an unusual intensity, reflecting his earnest desire to prevent the loss of a patient under his care.

“……I understand.”

Faced with such sincerity, Sevelia could only nod. Looking into his hopeful eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to say she needed to leave as soon as possible.

‘Yes, I have to live.’

She had forgotten this, lost in anxiety. Freedom and comfort are only possible when you’re alive.

‘I was about to risk my life to escape Dihart.’

If she couldn’t speed up treatment, she considered asking for medication to be delivered. Her priority was escaping Dihart.

But Wetz’s words broadened her perspective.

‘I almost made another hasty decision.’

Just like when she tried to leave Hillend Hall without a plan after losing hope in the greenhouse.

“Haa……”

Sevelia climbed the stairs from the underground lab, realizing her immaturity. Despite learning a valuable lesson, she was repeating old habits.

‘People unconsciously seek the easy way.’

It was difficult to face reality. But Sevelia knew that running away from momentary pain without a plan might feel good temporarily, but it wasn’t a long-term solution.

“If Denisa hadn’t stopped me, my father would have locked me away in some remote cabin.”

A bitter smile touched her lips. It was a bleak thought, even for her father, but she knew he was capable of it. She climbed the shadowed stairs, renewing her resolve.

‘Don’t turn away; face reality.’

Whether Dihart regains his memory or not doesn’t matter. I’ll focus on what I can do now. If hardship comes, I’ll find a way to overcome it. That’s all.

“Bella, you are courageous and strong.”

So, trust yourself. I’ve been doing well so far.

Sevelia smiled brightly at the mirror in the living room, encouraging herself. Her sparkling eyes and bright smile gave her a sense that everything would work out.

“Nyaak.”

Maya, watching from the living room, yawned. Sevelia didn’t realize it, but she had changed significantly.

She was no longer weak, daunted by reality, or afraid to express her opinions. Dihart was acutely aware of this change.

* * *

The next morning, Sevelia greeted Dihart cheerfully.

“Good morning.”

“Ah, good morning.”

Dihart looked at her with unfamiliar eyes. Until yesterday, she had been distant. But the situation had changed overnight.

‘Is this good or bad?’

Dihart was confused. He wanted to talk to her, who seemed to have finally opened her heart to him again, but the words didn’t come out. As he clenched and unclenched his fist, Sevelia spoke.

“I got an earful from Wetz yesterday.”

“Yes?”

“I felt like the treatment was slowing down, and I became impatient.”

Dihart looked surprised. It was the first time she had been so open. He hid his excitement and said casually,

“I didn’t know you were thinking that.”

“I don’t usually show my worries. Anyway… I brought it up and got scolded. He said the complete cure is what’s important, not the speed, and I had forgotten that.”

Dihart lowered his head, feeling guilty. He hadn’t realized Sevelia’s concerns. He had been selfish.

‘While she was fighting the disease, I was focused on my own pain.’

Self-loathing washed over him. He felt worthless. But Dihart’s heart ached at her next words.

“So, how are you enduring this, Dihart?”

“I……”

He stammered, embarrassed. His golden eyes trembled. Sevelia continued, watching him intently.

“To be honest, I’m scared and confused. There’s no guarantee of a cure. I can only vaguely hope for that day.”

“……”

“But losing my memory feels like an illness too. I don’t know when it will return, and I can only vaguely hope it will.”

Dihart felt his heart slow. The blood that had rushed with joy subsided, and his body grew cold. Her serious, sincere face frightened him.

“But you always seemed relaxed, always taking care of me and being considerate. I was curious.”

Dihart wanted to punish himself. Her words pierced his heart and froze his breath.

“Could it be that you are satisfied with the present and don’t bother to look for the past?”

“That’s… I mean…”

He struggled to breathe, gripped by guilt. The reality he had avoided blocked his path.

But this time, he couldn’t escape.

“Please forgive me if my question was rude. But I was always curious. Unlike me, you didn’t seem anxious.”

Because Sevelia is in front of him.

‘I can’t run away from you.’

So, is this the end? Once I confess, there will be nothing left. You wanted to leave me, and you think I killed you.

You will abandon me again, not the ordinary Dihart, but me, the hateful husband.

“I……”

He struggled to speak. His tongue twisted, his breath shortened, and his eyes stung. Sevelia, seeing his face turn pale, moved to get up. Dihart knelt beside her.