Chapter 64: Chapter Sixty-four

There were times that I thought my suffering would never end, that it would just keep haunting me until I die. However, as time passes by one should know that some sufferings end and although new ones may come, it would always have a solution. An end to it all.

The sound of a machine continuously beeping awoke me from what seemed to be a nightmare, where everything was burning. That no one lived and survived a nightmare. Squinting at the bright lights above me, a gasp and a cry for joy made my attention shift to where the sound came from. It came from none other than my mother and Harvey. Both of them stood by my side, eyes glossy and slightly red from crying.

I stared at them for a few moments, just taking in their relieved facial expressions before smiling softly. “Mom… Harvey…”

“Rachel!”

I slightly winced at the tone Mom had. And here comes the scolding and all the lecture she’s going to give. Well, I do deserve it anyway for running off on my own to deal with Rebecca Montgomery. It was a huge mistake really and it almost cost me my life.

Preparing myself for the rain of lecture went to waste when it didn’t happen. Instead of what my head played out, Mom bent down to hug me softly. Tears rolling down her cheeks, some even landed on my hospital clothes. “I’m so glad… I’m so glad you’re not dead. You’ve been asleep for four days— I couldn’t bear it. I should’ve known! Your father was right all along… I-I should’ve listened to him.”

Harvey went by my side and wiped his tears, trying hard to appear as a strong man. “Sis, I swear I’ll protect you better this time. I might be younger than you… but I’m sure our older brother would’ve done the same thing.”

Mom’s eyes slightly widened at Harvey’s response. “Denis?” Her look then softened and she smiled. “Yes, I’m sure Denis would feel the same way, Rachel. Anyone would. I mean, you got hurt trying to bring justice for the death of your father.”

Before I knew it, my own tears started to fall as well as I shook my head. “No, it’s partly my fault. I shouldn’t have gone off by myself. I brought this all on my own. And as for the Montgomerys, Dad was right… he was just trying to protect us and we didn’t listen. I didn’t listen. I’m a failure as his daughter, as a member of the Maxwell family.”

I could just hear my ancestors already scolding me. But as Mom and Harvey hugged me, I could feel someone’s presence as well as if it wasn’t just us in the room. It wasn’t a bad presence however, it felt as if someone else was hugging me. I smiled softly at the thought of Dad here, comforting me even if he isn’t here physically.

“No, dear… I’m sure your father is very proud. Maybe a bit angry but proud.” Mom chuckled lightly. “And no, you’ve never been a failure to us. You’re much more than we imagined—”

“But I wasn’t supposed to run the company! It was supposed to be Denis, the rightful heir. I’m just…” Looking away, I clenched my jaw. “I’m a failure, trying so hard as a replacement.”

Mom backed away and frowned at me. “Who gave you the idea that you’re just a replacement? Rachel, you’re no replacement.” She sighed. “Yes, losing Denis was hard… but there was nothing we could do. He was taken from us early on. It hurts but that doesn’t mean it was your fault. You’ll never replace Denis but Denis will never be you. You’re our beloved daughter, no one could replace you as well. In fact, I almost lost my mind when I received the news that you were missing, to hear that Rebecca did these horrible things to you…”

She lifted up my right hand that had a bandage wrapped around, she shook her head. A dark look in her usually sweet face. “I’ll never forgive her. She killed your father… she dared to hurt us and now she wants to kill you. Has she lost her mind? Does she know who she’s challenging?”

Putting a hand over hers, I leaned forward with a worried expression on my face. “Mom, please don’t do anything to Chad. He hasn’t done anything. Sure he may have tricked me but… he’s… just another victim of her schemes.”

She stared at me for a few minutes before raising an eyebrow. “A-are you sure? Yes he did save you but this is his mother… I don’t know the details but I don’t think Chad would want his mother to be thrown into jail.”

“Mom, Chad loves me and he owned up to his mistakes. Yes, he doesn’t want his mother to go to jail but he thinks it’s the right thing to do even if it’s so hard for him. So please Mom… spare him.”

I never thought I’d be pleading for Chad, since I’m used to him protecting me but this time I have to do it. Not because I have to, but because I wanted to. The mere thought of Chad—despite him lying to me in order to keep me safe—disappearing from my life forever is painful. It hurts my heart that he had to do this for his mother not to lay a single hand on me. Yet here we are, almost finished with this problem. The root of our agonizing problem has been caught and all we needed to do was… make her pay for her crimes.

“Rachel…”

The image of Chad then entered my mind, springing me up and began to push the blankets away. “Oh shit, how could I forget? Where’s Chad? Is he safe? Is he doing okay? Where is he?” I was about to leave the bed when Mom chuckled and pushed me back gently.

“Chad’s all right dear. He’s in his room, recovering smoothly.” She said softly, calming my anxiety down. “I couldn’t believe he’d take a bullet for you, dear. Men like that… they’re hard to come across with.”

“C-can I see him?” I squeaked out. “Can’t we get a nurse that could get me a wheelchair? I want to see him with my own eyes…”

Mom sighed. “You never give up, do you? All right, I’ll go get the nurse.” She then left the room, leaving me and Harvey all alone. I smiled at the young boy, happy that he’s all right. Thankful that it wasn’t him who was kidnapped again.

“Hey, Harv…”

“Sis, did Chad really do that? Took a bullet for you?” He snickered. “Sounds like those typical love stories with action scenes to me.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Really? You think so? As much as I like that, it’s tiring here in real life. And Chad did get hurt, really bad. So, I wouldn’t want something like that to repeat ever again.”

Harvey then lowered his gaze. “His mother… killed our father? Is that true?”

Leaning back, I glanced up and shrugged. “I actually don’t know. Chad claims she didn’t while Rebecca said she did. I don’t know what’s really true. We’ll probably find out once in court and after a thorough investigation. Clear the smoke up so we could see the answer.”

The door opened and in came Mom with the nurse behind her, wheeling an empty wheelchair for me. “Please bring my daughter to Chad Montgomery’s room. She wishes to see him.”

The nurse nodded with a sweet smile. “Oh, he’s your boyfriend? That’s so cute. I don’t know if Mr. Montgomery is awake but I’m sure he will once he knows you’re coming…”

Chad…

As I sat on the wheelchair, I then surveyed myself and winced. I wasn’t badly hurt like Chad, but there were bruises on my skin and there were ugly scars as well. There were even patches of red that stung a little. Still, they weren’t as bad as Chad’s.

Not minding how these might become marks and might take time to get rid of, I made it a point to be happy that I’m alive. There will come a time when I’ll get insecure seeing these marks, however they’re proof that I survived a gruesome battle. And that’s a huge accomplishment.

“Here we are, Miss Maxwell.”

The nurse pushed the door to Chad’s room open and as she wheeled me in, I felt my heart race at the sight of Chad. He wasn’t asleep nor resting. He was up now, smiling like nothing happened at his father who sat beside him. Both of the men took notice of us, Chad had the most obvious look of surprise on his face. Tears began to fall from my cheeks as I was finally near him.

“C-Chad…” I gasped out as I reached forward to his opened arms. “Thank goodness you’re all right…”

His huge hands wrapped around me as best as he could without straining himself. “Rachel… I’m so happy to see you all right. Thank God.”

We were soon left alone, the nurse went out along with his father, giving us time as we continued to cry silently. I held onto Chad’s clothes, sobbing it all out. He even chuckled a few times as he patted my back. “It’s okay, baby. I’m fine… this is nothing.”

I pulled away and pouted. “Do you know how worried I was?! I thought I’d die—don’t do it again Chad! If you’ll take a bullet for me again I’ll slap you!”

Chad shook his head and sighed. “Seriously… and here I thought you’d be happy. I’d be happy to take a bullet for you any day, baby—”

“Stupid Chad… You’d die if you do that!” I argued but when I sensed my voice rising, I tried to calm down. After taking deep breaths, I relaxed. “Chad, you’re hurt. I couldn’t bear to see you in that state. Think about it… If I did the same thing you’d probably be angry with me.”

“That’s the reason why I’m doing it. So that you wouldn’t be hurt. I’d rather experience this pain than see you suffering. To see you in pain would be heartbreak to me…”

It was my turn to shake my head. “Ever the romantic…”

Silence enveloped the room for a few seconds before Chad exhaled loudly. “My mom’s in the hospital as well but not in this one. They decided it would be best if she wasn’t admitted here for they think she’d try something funny. Like escaping once she’s well for example…”

“I see. Chad, doesn’t it feel weird to send your own mother to jail?”

Oh fuck, why am I even asking this question?

“No. She has to pay for her crimes like any other human being who committed one. Yes she is family, but it’s for her own good. She wouldn’t learn if she wouldn’t pay.”

My eyes then widened when Chad took my hand into his, squeezing it gently. I looked up with slight confusion on my face. “Chad? What is it?”

“What do you intend to do with our relationship? Now that you’ve found out about it all… would you break up with me? I wouldn’t mind if you’d do that.”

I couldn’t describe what I was feeling. It was suddenly cold all of a sudden, so cold that the snow outside couldn’t match it. However, as the light came in, it was suddenly warm again and I smiled softly at Chad.

He’s thinking I probably hate him, which I don’t. He thinks breaking up with me would heal everything… really stupid. I couldn’t possibly hate you Chad. You’ve done so much for me.

Squeezing back his hand, I leaned forward and kissed his forehead.

But we do need time and space to heal. Not only me, but including Chad as well. After all, his mother is going to jail and he found out that it was his own mother who jeopardized his engagement last time.

“I… think we need space for a while.”