As she tried to control her tears, she walked toward him, trying to comfort him. "Donald, I know you wonât hurt me," she said.
Donald quickly stood up and backed himself against the wall. His voice was trembling. "Donât come near me. I could hurt you again. Iâve hurt others...." He paused to take a deep breath to calm himself down, and his heartbeat thundered in his ears. âYou donât understand, I want you all to myself, but I have to refuse,â Donald wanted to tell Edie what he was thinking, but he knew she would only run away.
Edie didnât listen to him and slowly moved toward him. Taking one step at a time until she reached him and crouched down beside him. She looked deep into his eyes and said, "I wonât tell anyone about your illness. Only that youâre sick? Okay?" she said.
Donald became very anxious and shook his head. "No...No you canât," he said. "I need to take full ownership of Hawk Real Estate," Donald lowered his voice, deceptively calm. "Iâve come too far to give up now."
There was no way Donald was going to tell Edie the complete truth about how he could never let her go and that all his family was being held as prisoners by him. âEdie can never find out the truth, or sheâll hate me,â Donaldâs thoughts kept running in and out of his mind.
"Donald, you need to listen to me. In this kind of frame of mind, do you really think you can gain control of the company? You need to get yourself better first." Edie looked at him, but Donald turned and looked out the window. His thoughts were not on what Edie was saying, but how much he wanted her. "Donald, look at me," Edie said as she took his face and pulled it toward her. Her eyes flashed. "Your life is more important, and I thought of all people, you would understand." She couldnât hold back the tears any longer. Donald was the one who was ranting and raving, but Edie was the one sitting with the tears streaming down her face.
He took one look at her, and he froze. "Edie, youâre crying! Iâm sorry," he said as he wiped away the tears from her cheeks. "I canât stand to see you like this." His voice was soft and low.
Edie was filled with different emotions and didnât notice the meaning in Donaldâs tone. She thought he changed his mind. "Oh, thank God. Youâre going to do the treatment. Iâm so relieved," she said. "I know things havenât always been easy between you and your stepmother, but youâre the rightful heir, and as soon as your well enough, you can take back control."
Donald looked at Edie and saw the concerned look on her face. "Edie, youâve always been so sweet and innocent, but youâve never really experienced how cruel the world can be," he said.
Edieâs face started to turn red from anger. "How can you say that to me? Do you not remember where I come from?" she said.
Donald tried to explain. "I wasnât thinking. Please forgive?" he sighed. "My life is complicated, and thereâs no escaping it. I canât give up now, or I risk losing everything Iâve worked so hard for. I will never get another chance like this one. Please tell me, you understand?" he said. In Donaldâs twisted mind, he thought if he got the company back then, he could compete against Stuart and win Edie back.
Edie looked Donald right square in the eye and said, "Youâre not thinking rationally. What youâre about to do, you could lose everything. Ask yourself, will it be worth it?"
Donald quickly responded and said, "Yes."
"You really are out of your mind. You have no idea what youâll be losing." Edie was furious. "You have a mental illness and need treatment. Come to your senses, please," she begged. "Do you honestly understand whatâs at stake here?" Edie asked again.
Donald smiled and said, "Yes, I know what Iâm giving up, and I have no regret...."
Edie was shocked and didnât know what more she could say to change his mind. "I know how close you and Karen are. You trust her completely. Please let me call her, and sheâll take care of you?" Edie asked.
Abruptly, Donald said, "No, this my business, and Iâll take care of it myself."
Edie shook her head, trying to understand his reasoning. "Why wonât you let me call her?" she said.
Donald tried to explain. "Karen will only try to stop me. I donât want to involve her in this or you. Itâs my fault for getting you involved. I didnât think when I asked the doctor to call you." He took a couple of deep breaths. "There are only two people who know of my condition. You and the doctor, I need your word that you will not breathe this to another soul?" he asked.
Edie shook her head in disagreement. "I canât. You asking me to do this is like asking me to take your life," Edie said out of desperation.
"You have to!" Donaldâs voice suddenly got very loud. He stepped toward Edie and grabbed her arm. It was like a switch was flipped, and Donald turned into Satan. His facial expressions changed in a blink of the eye. "You will help. Thereâs only you," he said
Edie struggled to get away from Donaldâs grip. She shouted, "No, let go of me. Let me call Karen, and she can help you."
Donât stand up and stumble over to the bed. Then fell to his knees, wanting to hold her, but not wanting to hurt her. Misery searing his heart.
Edieâs heart pounded as she got to her feet and headed for the door. Turning slowly, she looked back, and Donald was holding his head trembling violently. "Donald," Edie said. She rushed over to him and held him. She glanced at his hands, the blue veins popping through his sweaty skin. Tears filled her deep blue eyes. "Doctor, doctor," she shouted. "I have to get the doctor." Edie started to walk away, and Donald grabbed her hand.
"Donât tell anyone. You have to promise me," Donald said, barely able to talk.
Edie saw the ominous look on his face and backed away.