Chapter 89
RAVEL
PRESENT TIME
The passing of time has transformed these last two days into a grueling ordeal since Elenor fell into a deep coma. The persistent absence of any concrete updates on when she might regain consciousness has been profoundly frustrating, to say the least. A profound sense of helplessness consumes me as I stand by her side, watching her lie there motionless.
My frustration is compounded by the knowledge that she had been trying to reach out to me before this happened, but I had been consciously ignoring her calls. Guilt clings to me like a heavy cloak as I reflect on this.
Anne decided to temporarily step away, returning home to fetch fresh clothes for herself and some essential items for me. It’s been roughly an hour since she departed, and I’m fairly certain she’s on her way back to the hospital at this very
moment.
Raymond, who had been seated on the sofa, finally decided to rise from his seat. His action, marked by a subtle throat- clearing, was a silent yet assertive attempt to capture my attention. However, in keeping with my recent pattern, I continued to ignore him, just as I had been doing with everyone since Elenor was relocated to this room.”
Raymond’s voice, rough with emotion, finally broke through my distracted state. “I’m embarking on a journey to my hometown tomorrow,” he disclosed, his words carrying a heavy weight. “This trip will keep me away for two days, and I should return by Sunday. I implore you to keep me informed if any significant changes occur.”
Raising my head, I blinked at him with a mixture of curiosity and concern. Elenor held a special place in his heart, and his departure at this critical juncture puzzled me. “May I inquire about the purpose of your trip to your hometown?” I asked, my voice laced with surprise. “I didn’t expect you to leave her side at a time like this.”
Raymond’s response only deepened my confusion. “I’m going to fulfill my father’s last wish,” he revealed, causing my brows to furrow even more. “I understand I previously submitted my resignation, but before I depart, is there anything specific you want me to get you?”
Standing up, I took a step closer, and continued to scrutinize him intently, a myriad of questions swirling in my mind. “Could you please explain what you mean by you’re going to fulfill your father’s last wish?”
“He asked me to cremate his body and send his ashes back home when he passed away, and I must honor his wish,” Raymond replied, his voice tinged with a mixture of determination and sadness. “I can’t keep delaying it any longer.
Understanding finally dawned upon me as his words fell into place. “Your father has passed away?” I responded with genuine sympathy. It was a terrible loss; Raymond had been incredibly close to his father until the accident that had claimed my own father’s life and put his in a coma. Raymond had adamantly kept his father on life support, despite the medical advice to let go. I had offered to cover the mounting hospital bills, but he had declined my offer, shouldering the financial burden for the past five years.
“When did he pass, and why didn’t you inform me?” My voice held a mix of concern and surprise as I tried to grasp the situation fully.
A frown etched across Raymond’s face as he responded, his frustration palpable. “I would have informed you if you had bothered to answer my calls,” he retorted, his voice carrying a hint of irritation. He sighed deeply, his lips moistened by his tongue, and he asked once more, “Is there anything you need before I leave?”
Regret washed over me like a heavy wave. “I’m truly sorry,” I apologized sincerely, the weight of my actions sinking in. Raymond had always been there for me, and at the one moment he needed my support, I had let him down. “I should have answered your call. I deeply regret not being there for you when you needed me.”
Raymond clenched his fist, his gaze shifting away. “Your apology won’t change the situation,” he muttered bitterly. “The damage is done, and your apology won’t bring my father back.”
A furrow creased my brow as I contemplated Raymond’s words. Why was he making it sound as though answering his call would have altered the course of events? “Would it have truly made a difference?” I questioned, meeting his gaze directly. “If
I had picked up that call, would your father still be alive?”
He held my gaze sternly and without blinking. Initially, it seemed like he might not respond, but he eventually did. “Yes,” he replied firmly. “If you had cared to answer, I wouldn’t be on this trip to sca tter his ashes.” His eyes then drifted toward Elenor’s unconscious form. “Just as Elenor might still be with us if we had answered her calls.”
His implication hit me like a dagger, and my jaw clenched in response. “What are you trying to insinuate?” I hissed, my frustration bubbling up. “Are you suggesting that I’m to blame for what happened to my sister?”
Raymond’s sad chuckle hung heavily in the air. “I’m saying we share the blame. The accident report states it happened at 8:00 PM, and she called me at 7:52 PM,” he explained, tilting his head. “I’m quite certain she tried to reach you too.”
I recoiled, taking a step back as my worst fears were confirmed. “No, it can’t be,” I whispered, my voice trembling, tears streaming down my cheeks. “I had nothing to do with this.”
Raymond’s shoulders lifted in a nonchalant shrug. “Believe what you will, but it doesn’t change the truth,” he stated solemnly. With one last look at Elenor, he walked out of the room, leaving me in a state of disbelief and sorrow.
Stuck in place, I turned to gaze at Elenor, my tears flowing freely. I had no idea how long I stood there, motionless and lost in my thoughts. The door opened, and Anne entered, carrying an overnight bag. She paused, her expression filled with concern, as she witnessed me crying while fixated on Elenor.
Anne’s panic was palpable as she rushed to Elenor’s side, checking the medical equipment to ensure Elenor’s heart was still beating. With that reassurance, she turned her attention to me, her voice trembling with concern. “Ravel? What’s happening? Why are you crying like this?” Tears mirrored my own began streaming down her cheeks, and her worry deepened. “Ravel, you’re scaring me. Please, tell me what’s going on.”
I couldn’t bring myself to answer her. Instead, when she reached out to cradle my cheeks, I took an involuntary step back, avoiding her touch. Bitter laughter escaped my lips as I wiped the tears staining my cheeks with the back of my hand. I had failed both Elenor and Raymond when they needed me the most.
“I need some time alone,” I mumbled, my voice laden with regret, before turning and walking out of the room, leaving Anne behind, bewildered and crying.
I moved like a man possessed, my hand patting my pocket until I retrieved my car keys. My security personnel followed suit, ready to accompany me, but I halted them with a firm command. “I want to be alone,” I asserted, and they exchanged puzzled glances. “Consider it an order.”
Sliding into my car, I drove away, needing space from the overwhelming emotions that had engulfed me. My first stop was a bar; driving aimlessly through the city seemed too dangerous in my distraught state. Normally, I would have turned to Elenor for solace, but she wasn’t answering my calls, and to be honest, I wasn’t in the mood to speak with her
Taking a seat on a barstool, I signaled the bartender over. “Could I have a bottle of whiskey and a glass, please?” I requested, and he nodded before swiftly serving my drink. Without hesitation, I poured a generous amount into my glass and downed it in one go, trying to numb the pain that had gripped my heart.
I poured another generous refill of whiskey into my glass, my vision blurring as I continued to drown my sorrows. Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through my missed calls, and the painful truth stared back at me: Elenor had called me fifteen times, and I had ignored every single one.
By the time I reached my second bottle of whiskey, the alcohol had taken its toll. My surroundings became hazy, and I could barely make out the tumbler in front of me. I chuckled drunkenly and decided to rest my head on the bar counter, hoping a brief nap would offer some respite.
“I’ll handle his bills,” a familiar female voice declared. Ignoring the voice, I attempted to drift off into an alcohol-induced slumber. However, I suddenly felt the grip of two pairs of hands on me, lifting me from my seat, and then I was unceremoniously dragged out of the bar and into a waiting car that sped away. My blurry consciousness struggled to comprehend what was happening.