Chapter 65

Book:Romance With The CEO Published:2024-6-2

Lucas could only tightly hold Velia’s fingers. He remained motionless, staring at her pale face while attentively listening to the doctor’s words.
“She’s just in shock. There’s nothing to worry about. Her condition will improve after sufficient rest.”
At least there was something to relieve Lucas. The worries and panic that arose from Velia’s fainting gradually faded away.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
The doctor nodded. “Excuse me.”
“Let me walk you out,” Vlora said as she accompanied the doctor’s departure. They left, leaving Lucas overwhelmed with guilt.
Lucas cursed himself endlessly. He continued to blame himself for all the realities and past events that had occurred.
Indeed, everything that had happened was caused by Lucas’ feelings for Velia, which could not be prevented.
Lucas loved Velia deeply. Ironically, it was that love that became the root of all the misfortunes that befell Velia.
“I not only failed to make you happy, Ve, but I also brought you countless suffering.”
Lucas closed his eyes. He tightened his grip on Velia’s hand and gently kissed it amidst his tears.
“Forgive me, Ve. Forgive me.”
The bedroom door was knocked on and opened briefly. Vlora entered and approached Lucas. Softly, she spoke.
“Sir.”
Lucas took a deep breath. He opened his eyes, and Vlora asked a question.
“Is there anything else I should do?”
Of course, Lucas called Vlora not only because of Velia’s fainting. The secretary came with the doctor, but that was not the only reason Lucas asked her to come.
“I want you to monitor the police reports and make sure there are no loopholes. My mother will surely seek assistance from the family lawyer. You know who Benjamin Wilson is. He is very experienced in handling cases like this. I rely on you to preserve all the evidence and ensure that all eyewitnesses remain in place.”
Vlora nodded. “Of course, Sir. I will do my best. Excuse me.”
Vlora’s departure provided time and space for Lucas to sink into silence. He remained silent, his mind filled with thoughts. Everything was in turmoil, raising doubts about what he should do. Every choice seemed equally difficult.
Lucas groaned in endless apologies. He raised Velia’s hand and gently kissed it amidst his tears.
“I’m sorry.”
He sank into a pit of unending regret, like the muddy sludge of a life sucking him in stronger. Lucas was consumed by it and remained motionless. He resigned himself to being buried alive when guilt plunged him into the depths of despair.
Lucas could not change what had happened. However, he could promise one thing for certain. That he would always be there for Velia without fail.
Motionless. Never leaving. Lucas endured the changing tides of time. He remained there, guarding Velia in her unconsciousness.
Night fell. Velia’s fingers in his grasp faintly moved. Lucas’s dimmed eyes instantly lit up.
Velia winced. Consciousness brought along a throbbing sensation in her head. She groaned and massaged her temples.
“Ve? Are you awake?”
Lucas’s voice made Velia blink repeatedly. It took her a moment to adjust her vision, and then she sat up.
“It’s you.”
Velia pulled her hand away. Her anticipation prevented Lucas from speaking.
“Ve.”
Lucas was choked up. He wanted to ask about Velia’s condition, but his tongue failed him. The pain reflected in Velia’s eyes rendered him unable to speak.
“I don’t want to see you, Luc.”
Velia swallowed a bitter lump in her throat. Full of sadness, she tasted the bitterness that remained. Instead, she had to surrender when a tear escaped. It fell without hindrance and slid down her cheek.
“I can’t handle it.”
Lucas’s jaw tightened. He tried to hold on as he took a deep breath. Trying to push away the suffocation, he said,
“You need rest. Would you like something to eat? I’ll-”
“Go!”
With a flushed face, Velia screamed that word loudly. Her voice rang out with reluctance at the sight of Lucas. She grabbed a pillow and repeatedly struck Lucas.
“I don’t want to see you anymore, Luc! I don’t want to meet you again! I beg you, go!”
Lucas remained still. He did not dodge or let Velia hit him repeatedly.
It did not matter. It did not hurt at all. It meant nothing to him compared to what Velia was feeling.
Lucas’s head and shoulders dropped. His defense crumbled. His heart was wounded. In a different way, the pain he felt was similar to the agony Velia was enduring.
They both succumbed to despair. They both drowned in blood and pus. Lucas and Velia suffered in different wounds but with the same anguish.
“I beg you, Luc. For the last time…”
Velia’s sob broke out. She shook her head repeatedly, her strength growing weaker. The pillow ceased moving and eventually slipped from her grasp.
“… I beg you. I don’t want to see you. I want to be alone, without anyone. I beg you.”
“Your condition is unstable right now. So let me stay here. I will take care of you.”
Velia continued to shake her head. “I don’t want you near me, Luc. No. I can’t be with the son of the woman who killed my parents.”
Lucas held his breath, and a brief memory flashed through his mind. He had strengthened himself repeatedly during this time. He was a strong man. Countless problems and obstacles he had successfully faced. Falling and rising, he went through them all.
This shouldn’t be difficult. It should be that way. Unfortunately, Lucas realized something at the very end, too late.
There is an exception to everything. When it comes to Velia, everything else becomes meaningless. Lucas’ strength and resilience seemed insignificant when it came to the judgment of the woman he loved.
Like a sharp knife piercing directly. It stabbed his heart. Tore through the blood vessels forcefully. Blood gushed and soaked, putting an end to life.
“I beg you, Ve.”
“No,” Velia quickly refused. Frustrated, she cried and shook her head. “I beg you, Luc. Until when will you deny the truth between us?”
Velia wiped away a few tears. Unfortunately, it only paved the way for more drops to follow. Sadness continued to flow endlessly.
“Neither of us has a future. I beg you.”
Lucas felt torn. However, he tried to smile through his tears.
“Don’t force it anymore. I can’t take it, Luc. I’m shattered.”
“You’re unstable right now, Ve. You need to rest first. If you don’t want to see me, I’ll sleep in the guest room.”
Lucas reached out his hand. His heartfelt desire wanted to caress Velia’s hair.
Velia evaded it. With closed eyes, she withdrew, distancing herself.
Lucas was taken aback. He tried to understand while comforting his heart. He wouldn’t push, he understood.
“I’ll be outside if you need anything.”
Her eyes remained closed. Not a single word came out of Velia’s mouth. She stood firm in her decision not to witness Lucas’ departure. Her only reason was that she didn’t want to see Lucas tormented.
Lucas gave up. All he had was time. He would give Velia as much as she wanted.
Velia needed time to calm herself. She needed time to reconcile with her sorrow.
Later. Lucas was confident that Velia would accept him again.
The bed creaked faintly. Some of the weight burdening it disappeared. Lucas left and left Velia alone.
Velia opened her eyes. She stared at the door with a mournful gaze. Then, her tears broke free.
Meanwhile, behind the door, Lucas slumped to the floor. He listened to Velia’s painful cries echoing. Her sobs and anguish carved deep wounds on his already broken heart.
*
The next day, a summons from the police arrived. Velia had two days to prepare herself, and during that time, she ignored Lucas.
Velia not only disregarded Lucas’s greetings but went beyond that. She acted as if Lucas did not exist around her. She did not pay attention to any gestures or attempts to connect with her.
With a weary face, dark shadows under his eyes, and disheveled hair, Lucas was not enough to capture Velia’s concern. Even when he closed his eyes, unsure if Lucas had gone to the office or not, she seemed determined to prove her words: she wanted Lucas to disappear from her life.
Velia went to the police station as scheduled. She gathered her strength, but it turned out to be more challenging than she had imagined.
The harsh reality slowly revealed itself. The hidden black hole began to open up. Velia was sucked into a whirlpool of unexpected events.
Velia sank deeper into the possibilities that she wanted to uncover. It was not just a pure accident. It was an intentional tragedy. A wicked plan masterfully crafted by Sandra.
Time seemed to stand still. The earth appeared to cease its rotation. Velia’s world felt like it had come to a halt.
Velia walked with heavy steps. She left the police station with a blank mind. Continuing to walk, ignoring Carter’s phone calls, she moved aimlessly.
Velia sat down at a bus stop. She remained motionless, feeling utterly shattered.
“What is the purpose of my life, God? What is it? I have nothing left. My life is over.”
Her voice trembled, tears flowing freely. Emptiness without hope. Everything felt hollow.
Velia blinked once. Her eyes focused on a pedestrian bridge crossing over the road.
There was no use anymore.
Velia stood up. Walking without feeling, devoid of emotions, she climbed the stairs one by one.
The sun was scorching. The heat was intense. There weren’t many people using the pedestrian bridge at that time.
No one witnessed the unsettling vacant look in Velia’s eyes. No one saw the teardrop falling without warning.
The faces of her parents appeared in Velia’s mind. A painful smile curved her lips as she whispered,
“I can’t bear to live anymore. There is no reason for me to hold on.”
Velia lifted her face. Her gaze wandered far away, to an unknown place. At that moment, she had only one hope.
“Mom. Dad. Wait for me.”
Her footsteps halted in the middle of the bridge. Velia looked down at the road below. Vehicles passed by swiftly.
Velia held onto the railing of the bridge. One foot went up, and she closed her eyes. Resigned, she only wanted to let go of everything.
“Ve!”
A strong pull jolted Velia. Her body fell into someone’s embrace and landed harshly on the bridge floor.
Velia could not breathe. The tight embrace trapped her, and a single sob pierced through the heart.
“Kill me, Ve. Take it all out on me. As long as you stay alive, I’m willing to endure death repeatedly.”
*