Chapter 85
ELENOR
PRESENT TIME
My family dynamics have become increasingly draining. It feels as though tranquility has become a rare commodity within our household. I once admired the harmony that Ravel and Hazel shared, as it provided a glimmer of hope for familial peace. However, at this moment, their relationship seems to be embroiled in more conflict than even my own struggles with my mother.
Feeling the weight of it all, I reached for my jacket and made the decision to pay a visit to Raymond. We’ve been earnestly working on repairing our relationship, and I’m hopeful that within his embrace, I might discover the solace and serenity I yearn for.
I slid into my car, igniting the engine, and set course for Raymond’s apartment. His prolonged absence from work had been a conspicuous indicator of Ravel’s tumultuous emotional state. It seemed that Hazel’s silence in response to Ravel’s attempts at communication had pushed him to vent his frustration on Raymond. The result? Raymond was left out in the cold, quite literally, as Ravel had locked him out of his apartment. Eventually, Raymond had grown weary of waiting for Ravel’s call and ceased showing up for work.
As I parked in front of his apartment building, I turned off the engine and stepped out of the car, determined to check on him. My footsteps echoed through the hallway as I made my way to Raymond’s unit. Upon reaching his door, I rang the doorbell twice, but there was no response. Could he not be at home? Frowning, I retrieved my phone and dialed his number, only to be greeted by his voicemail.
Persistent attempts to reach Raymond through my phone proved futile as it stubbornly continued to divert me to his voicemail. Frustration mounting, I reluctantly abandoned my efforts with the phone and resorted to repeatedly pressing the doorbell. Still, there was no response, and for a moment, I contemplated walking away in resignation.
However, just as I was about to retreat, the elevator doors slid open, revealing a weary and disheveled Raymond. His suit jacket hung haphazardly on his shoulder, a clear sign that something was amiss.
My heart ski pped a beat as he halted upon spotting me, his tone carrying an unexpected edge as he inquired, “What are you doing here, Elenor?”
A sudden uncertainty gripped me, making me wonder if I had unknowingly provoked his anger. I replied cautiously, “I came to visit my boyfriend, of course.” His scoff at my response furrowed my brows in confusion. “Is everything okay?”
Raymond’s expression remained tense as he finally voiced his concern, “I called you earlier. Why didn’t you answer the call?”
“I was in an important meeting, which is why I couldn’t answer your call,” I patiently reiterated, my voice laced with concern as I watched him keep his distance. His distant demeanor puzzled me, especially considering he hadn’t answered my call just moments ago.
A telltale whiff of alcohol hung in the air as he sniffed and attempted to walk past me. My concern deepened, and I couldn’t help but ask, “Have you been drinking, Raymond?” My hand extended to grasp his, but he pulled away abruptly, a visible tension in his frame
His response was more intense than I expected, filled with frustration and a raw sense of repulsion. “Leave me the f*** alone!” he yelled, his words stinging like an unexpected slap. “All of you should leave me the f*** alone!”
I couldn’t simply let this go. It was evident that something was deeply amiss. “What happened, Raymond?” I pressed, my determination unwavering as I sought to uncover the root of his distress, hoping to provide the support he needed.
Raymond’s glare was piercing as he spoke, his words sending a shockwave through me. “Your brother has not been answering my calls. If he eventually decides to answer yours, tell him that I quit!” I couldn’t conceal my astonishment at his declaration.
Digging his hand into his pocket, he extracted a crumpled sheet and dropped it at my feet. “Give this to him; that’s my resignation letter.” I attempted to reach for his hand, seeking some form of connection, but he forcefully shoved me away,
nearly causing me to lose my footing. His next words pierced my heart. “Get the f*** out of my house and never return again, Elenor.”
Struggling to contain my emotions, I bit my trembling lips. “What are you talking about, Raymond?” I took another cautious step forward. “I understand you’re upset, but please don’t say things you don’t mean.”
His anger flared, and he hissed back vehemently, “I mean every da mn thing I say. You and your family disgust me.” With that final declaration, he opened his door, walked inside, and slammed it shut, leaving me standing there, stunned and heartbroken.
Stunned into immobility, I remained rooted in place, staring at the closed door as tears streamed down my cheeks. Clutching the torn pieces of the resignation letter in my trembling hand, I could hardly comprehend the whirlwind of emotions that had just unfolded.
Exiting the building, I entered the elevator with a heavy heart, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Once inside my car, I immediately dialed Ravel’s number, desperate for any insight into what was happening with Raymond. My repeated calls, however, yielded nothing but unanswered silence.
Frustration mounting, I discarded my phone onto the passenger seat and began to ponder the potential causes of Raymond’s drastic behavior. Despite my efforts to unravel the mystery, only one name echoed relentlessly in my mind: Anne. She was the one person who could wield such influence over him, causing him to act in such an extreme manner.
Determined to seek answers, I steered my car towards Anne’s imposing manor. My sense of urgency was palpable, as I broke every traffic rule in my haste to reach her. The need to understand what had possibly transpired between Raymond and Anne had become an unrelenting obsession, driving me forward with relentless determination.
Arriving at Anne’s house, I left my car running, my emotions a tempestuous whirlwind as I stormed into her residence. The determination to uncover the truth had taken hold of me, and I was prepared to bring the entire house down if necessary.
My steps reverberated through the sp ac ious mansion as I pressed forward, the staff directing me to the library where Anne was supposedly located. As I approached the library door, I noticed it was slightly ajar, and curiosity overcame me. The familiar voice emanating from within, and the nature of the conversation, caused me to pause and discreetly eavesdrop.
“I am quite impressed,” June’s voice sounded, a hint of satisfaction in her tone. “I had no idea that sabotaging Hazel’s business and pinning the blame on Ravel would have such a profound impact on their relationship.”
My eyes widened further as the implications of their conversation sank in. June was the mastermind behind the sabotage of Hazel’s business, and Ravel had been entirely innocent. My heart ached at the injustice of it all.
“I told you all I needed was just the number of her important client,” Anne declared in a smug tone. “How did you manage to get him to give you the number?”
June’s laughter filled the air, and I strained to hear every word. “He’s been in on this with me longer than you know,” she confessed. I could sense shuffling feet, suggesting a secretive exchange. “So what’s the next plan?” she asked Anne.
Anne’s response was equallyng. “I don’t have the next plan yet; we’ll have to wait for this one to play out first.”
June seemed content with that response. “If that’s the case, I have no reason to stay here. I should be on my way.”
My heart racing with the shocking revelations I’d overheard, I quietly tiptoed back downstairs and headed toward my car. As I settled into the driver’s seat, I dialed Ravel’s number once more, desperately hoping he would answer, but he continued to ignore my calls.
Determined to reach him, I drove toward his house while persistently trying to get in touch. My calls went unanswered, and my anxiety grew with each passing moment. I even
attempted to contact Raymond, hoping for any response, but the silence on the other end of the line was deafening.
The audacity of Anne and June’s actions weighed heavily on my mind. How could they manipulate and harm Hazel, all for the affections of a man who clearly didn’t want her? The motivations behind their cruel actions were a mystery I couldn’t comprehend.
In that moment, I couldn’t care less about the consequences for Anne and June. Ravel discovering the truth would likely
Chapter 85
sever any ties he had with Anne, and I found myself indifferent to the fallout.
My focus remained on reaching Ravel when, distracted by my phone, I hit a speed bump. The device slipped from my grasp, and I instinctively reached down to retrieve it. When I raised my head, I was met with blinding headlights, a terrifying realization dawning upon me in the split second before impact.
The blinding brightness made it nearly impossible to maintain control of the car. In an instant, I transitioned from cruising down a smooth, paved road to a terrifying descent down a steep hill.
My body jolted violently as the car tumbled downhill, colliding with the unforgiving terrain. Amidst the chaos and wreckage, my thoughts raced. The last coherent idea that crossed my mind before everything faded to black was the urgent need to convey the truth I had discovered today to Ravel and Hazel.
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