Inside Elena's mind: confusion developed. Her brain told her not to obey Pierre, but deep in her mind, she knew Karl was her only chance to save Pierre. She lay down on Pierre's bed. Breathed in Pierre's smell, or what was left inside his empty place. She kept thinking. "There is no other way else" she murmured. Every time she thought of turning to Karl, her body did not follow her mind. Pierre's face, words would flood her head. "Don't do anything reckless," Pierre's last word. What shall I do? " she thought. I miss you so much - she recalled her memories with Pierre.
Her mind and her brain were contrasting with each other. She could feel her stress increasing, cortisol becoming higher. The bond between Pierre and her began to be taken over by her motivation to save Pierre. At one point, Elena's mind took control of her brain due to the high level of cortisol that was high enough to overcome the effect of PX-17.
Pierre, I will save you - Elena murmured.
…
"That is not what you said, Karl," Elena shouted. A day later, Elena came to Karl's office again. "That was our agreement, yesterday, Elle," Karl said. "Today I changed my mind," Karl continued. "You should accept it fast, Elle, before I change my mind again," Karl added. Yesterday, Karl said that if she came back to Feta's family, he would talk to his mom about releasing Pierre. "Yesterday, you said I came back to your family, but today, you wanted me to quit my job and become your wife," Elena yelled. "What's the difference?" Karl said. "I just sped things up since we are going to live under the same roof again. Quitting a job will free you from any tasks, so we can spend time together like the old days." Karl explained. "Think fast, Elle," Karl came to whisper again. Although she settled her mind last night, strong enough to overcome the PX-17 effect, her mind and body were not fully synchronized. Elena inhaled, took a deep breath. "I agreed".
…
"Mom!!" Karl shouted. "Look! Who will come with me tonight?t" Karl said. After agreeing on Karl's deal, Karl brought her back to his house, a place where she grew up. Not too long, Freja walked out, "Welcome back, Elena, Karl told me already," Freja said. "Be like usual, Elena, I have ordered you to arrange a room for you," Freja said. "Thank you very much," Elena thanked her softly. "Alright, I hope you still love Kibbling, we have them for dinner," Freja said and walked away. "See, Elle, this place always welcomed you, be like the old time," Karl said. "I still have things to prepare, see you at dinner," Karl walked away. She left the house two years ago, and things barely changed. Everything felt like the house she was familiar with. Upon walking around, Elena met several maids, butlers. Most of them are old faces, some new. They still remembered her, giving smiles every time she passed. Elena walked to her bedroom. It was left unchanged. The maids cleaned the room thoroughly, leaving no dust. She put her luggage, lay on her bed. The softness of the bed and pillow felt nostalgic. Her head still in confusion, what is she doing here? Why did she betray Pierre? She has to save him; he is alone. These thoughts have been floating around in her head since last night.
…
"Miss Elena, dinner is ready," a call from one of the maids. She got up after a quick nap. Walked out to the dining room. On the dining table, her favorite kibbling, with several sauces beside, baked potatoes, and rabbit stew, are on the table. "We have Appelflap for dessert", Freja smiled. They are Elena's favorites. "Have a seat," Karl said and slid a chair for her. Elena sat beside Karl, Freja in front of them. The stress level in Elena was too high; she had no appetite. The first bite of kibbling had no taste, only greasiness she could sense. "What's wrong, Elena?" Freja asked. "Our chef was so excited, so he cooked all of this for you," Freja said. "I am not hungry," Elena said dimly. She tried to have some just to taste them. "I heard you will quit your job and get married, is that true?" Freja asked, smiled, and looked at her son. "Mom, I just wanted her to stay here with me all the time; marriage is too far," Karl said, showing embarrassment. "Oh my, I was so excited, you two must be a lovely couple," Freja said. The mother and son laughed. Elena's eyes were blank, soulless; she was only rolling a vegetable on her plate using a fork. "I wanted to meet Pierre," Elena said, dimly, but her words were sharp enough to stop those two happy moments. They changed their expressions instantly. Staring at her. "My little Elena, I cannot allow that," Freja said coldly. "Yeah, it was out of our deal, right?" Karl said. "I can assure you he is doing okay, 3 meals per day with 8 glasses of water," Freja said. "Don't worry, Elena, once you quit your job, we will release him," Karl said, his hand trying to touch her hand. "Karl, manners," Freja coughed. Karl stopped. A few moments later, a maid came in with a piece of paper. Freja hands it to her. It's a resignation form - Elena thought. "Sign it, and Pierre will be freed," Freja said coldly. Elena glanced over the form; it was an ordinary form, nothing special besides stating that Elena Ornstein quit the job at the FRI institute. She grabbed the pen and signed. "Good girl, welcome back," Freja said, Karl smiling.
"Released him," Elena strengthened her voice. "What?" Freja's voice suddenly became strong, no longer sweet. "I signed, and stay here as you two wanted, we had a deal,l" Elena said. "Right, I will release him, sweetheart, perhaps in 10 years," Freja said coldly, and laughed like crazy. Karl was laughing as well. "How dare you?" Elena grabbed a fork in her hand and nearly stabbed Freja. With anger, Karl's response was faster; he held Elena tightly. Elena could not resist his strength. "Do you really think you are that valuable after leaving us?" Freja started. "If not for Peter and Karl, I would arrest you together with him" Freja said, no sweet voice left. Elena started to cry; these were too much for her: the decision to betray Pierre, to be apart from him, to be tricked, those things flooded her. Elena could not stand; she collapsed on the floor. Karl said nothing; his face was full of happiness, seeing her collapse. "Elle, just stay here, forget him, be like an old day," Karl said. Elena's mind shut out; she could not tolerate this anymore.