Peace and Andrew graduated from Central Saint Martins in the same year. Andrew obtained his Ph.D. at that time, while Peace had a masterâs degree. Not only did they study with the same tutor, but they also often collaborated to make clothes.
The dress that Anna brought to Peace was the one she used to design with Andrew.
Anna noticed that Peace had already looked much better than before. She was not only lucid and aware of who she was, but she also recognized Anna.
Moreover, Peace seemed like a normal person, and she even went to the kitchen to prepare a salad for Anna. Seeing how enthusiastic she was, Anna was heartbroken, though.
Peaceâs behavior did not indicate that she was improving; rather, it showed that her condition was worsening. Peace had told Anna before that if she seemed enthusiastic about everything around her after the attack, it was a sign of her schizophrenia getting worse.
By repressing her feelings and trying to please others around her, she was attempting to hang onto her final hope.
âTo be honest, you seem exhausted,â Anna said to Karl, who was sitting across from her.
âAh? Why do you say that? Actually, I feel pretty good.â
Karl had just returned home from her store, and he was still wearing the clothes he had just worn.
In the light, Anna could see distinct dark circles under his eyes. Karl had always looked energetic in front of Peace. However, whenever she was not around him, he would look terribly exhausted.
Anna thought it was really a miracle that Karl, a rich young man, could take care of Peace for so long Anna said honestly, âNo offense, but I donât think either of you looks great. So, I think we should send her to a professional institution for rehabilitation.â
âOh, no! Actually, Iâve visited every rehab facility and mental health facility in this city. But, I donât believe those places are good for her.â
Karl immediately refused as if he didnât want to discuss this matter at all.
Anna said calmly, âThere are a lot of psychiatric hospitals out there that are better than those ones. You know, I mean the hospitals in America. Iâm a good friend of Peaceâs, so I think she should go there for treatment.â
âDid Jasper find that hospital for her?â
Anna frowned, nodding.
Karl suddenly got emotional and said aloud, âDamn! Are there no women in America? Why on earth did he come to England?
Not only does he want to break you and Wayne up, 1/3 but he wants to do that to Peace and me! Iâm telling you, no way!â
Anna answered with calm but discontent, âKarl, donât say that, please. Jasper is one of the few friends Peace has ever had, and I can swear that he only thinks of her as a friend. He only did it to help his friend. Youâre misjudging him because you think too nasty of him.â
Karlâs expression became somber and his gaze slightly aggressive. He said, âWell, Anna. Iâll never allow anyone to take her away from me.â
Anna clenched her fists and said with gritted teeth, âYouâre so selfish!â
Anna thought that it was really very selfish of Karl to do that. She then thought to herself, Karl, youâre not letting Peace get better because you donât want her to leave you. Youâre not doing this because you love her!
Anna was no longer polite either. She glared at Karl and said, âPeace is not an object but a human being! Iâve known her for a long time, so I am more entitled than you to decide what kind of treatment she should receive now. Iâm not here to discuss it with you, Karl. Iâm here to inform you of my decision!â
Karl grew angrier and asked, âWhat do you mean by that? Do you think you can do whatever you want in Birmingham just because Jasper has your back?â
After hearing his mean words, Anna finally couldnât help but get furious. She said irritably, âI think that you and Wayne are the same kind of idiots! You think I want to take her away from you, donât you? However, it was you who kept her at home when she needs nt. Youâll regret it if something bad happens to her in the future!â
Hearing that, Karl didnât appear to be pleased. When he heard the word âsomething bad happens to her,â he thought of the accident the other day. At that moment, he felt extremely heartbroken.
âI brought something important here.â
Anna then turned the huge shopping paper bag upside down. Instantly, a wedding dress dropped upon the couch. That dress was made of white yarn, and seemed to have been made of white clouds and stars as there were gold threads in it. The clothing was lovely and fluffy, and it shone in the light.
âThis is Peaceâs graduation design, called âDream!â
Peace considered marriage a dream because it was out of reach for her, and she figured she couldnât get married like everyone else. But, rather than looking forward to marriage, she looked forward to becoming normal.
âJust think about it, Karl,â Anna said.
Anna set the paper bag down, picked up her handbag, and walked away. Before departing, she gave him a quick glance and voiced her displeasure, âBy the way, I thought what you said to me this morning was absurd. Wayne didnât actually get hurt badly at all. If you want to mediate between us, you should at least ask about my opinion first! Just stop meddling in other peopleâs affairs, please.â
If this had been in the past, Karl would have questioned Anna as to why she said it. But at the time, he simply let Anna accuse him.
He stared blankly at the wedding dress on the couch. He had always thought that Peace did not look forward to marriage, and even feared it. Besides, he had assumed she liked freedom and didnât care about having a family.
At that moment, he knew he was totally wrong. He really didnât know Peace well enough.
Right after Anna left, Peace came out of the kitchen with a salad bowl. After seeing that Karl was the only one in the living room, she asked, âHuh? Whereâs Anna?â
âSheâs gone,â Karl replied calmly.
âWhy? Why did she leave so soon?â Peace asked in surprise, and then set the plate with the fruit salad down on the coffee table.
When she looked up, she saw the wedding dress on the couch.
Then, she froze and asked, âHuh? Why is it here?â.
When Karl saw her expression, he immediately got mixed feelings. He asked, âIs this your graduation project?â
Peace said yes to him softly. Then, she touched the hem of that wedding dress and slowly sat down on the side. She said, âBut I havenât seen this dress since graduated. To be honest, Iâve almost forgotten what it looks like. I donât mean to brag, but I won the award for outstanding graduate work because of this!â
From the way Peace looked at the wedding dress, Karl knew what she was actually thinking.
He thought, Peace would not be willing to be a patient with nothing to do every day. She has dreams and expectations for the world. So, she wouldnât be stuck in this house with me forever. Turned out Anna was right. Iflam negligent in caring for her, she would get hurt.
âPeace, do you want to see doctors in America?â Karl asked in a low voice