June sat in the hospital with Rafael all through the seven-hour surgery.
Things were not looking up and she was headed to her breaking point. Why couldn’t everything just work out to plan? Why did she have to go through all of this in one lifetime?
The doctor finally came out and June rushed to him. “How is she? How is my mother?!” She cried, eyes hopeless as she awaited a response.
Rafael stood by her, ready to do anything to alleviate the pain his wife was going through. There was a dark cloud as they awaited the news from the doctor.
“Fortunately, the surgery was successful. However, she needs to wake up for further assessment.” June let out a sigh of relief at the doctor’s words.
She almost cried at the joy that flooded her body. She couldn’t imagine becoming an orphan when she finally sorted things out with her mother. Indeed, you only know the value of what you have when it’s been lost, or in this case, almost lost.
“Thank you! Thank you so much.” June said with a grateful heart.
The doctor wore a tired smile. “We still have a long way to go. She would be placed in intensive care for some days to help her body recuperate well. Excuse me.”
The couple nodded and watched the doctor leave. A few minutes later, Evelyn was wheeled out of the operation room and June broke into tears at the sight of her mother looking so damaged and weak.
Rafael held her as they watched Evelyn get placed under intensive care. Never had Rafael seen June feel so bad, not even when she found she couldn’t give birth. His anger increased and his heart hurt.
Meanwhile, April was at the police station, inside a holding cell causing a ruckus. “How dare you do this?! Let me out of here! I will make sure you all regret crossing me! You just wait!”
She had refused to say anything regarding the murder allegations levied against her until her lawyer was in the room. Soon enough, Colton appeared at the police station with a lawyer to represent her.
At the end of the confrontation, April was granted bail as the accuser was nowhere to be found and couldn’t be reached. However, she was not allowed to leave the country and was scheduled to appear in court in three days.
June heard the news and felt devastated. Rafael spoke to their lawyer who told them things were going to be difficult with Evelyn’s inability to testify as scheduled but they could open the case and pursue it in court with the vocal recording of Evelyn, awaiting her recovery.
Things proceeded. June appeared in court with her lawyer and the case began.
April was accused of being the mind behind the deaths of Ethan, Olivia and Gary Lontoc, as well as the death of Anthonio Rivera. The recording of Mrs Evelyn explaining how April confessed to her and took over the Rivera stores was played in court.
“And where is Mrs Evelyn Rivera?” The judge asked and April pursed a smile that threatened to break free. June gritted her teeth as her lawyer replied,
“Mrs Evelyn was met with an unfortunate accident two days ago and is unfit to appear in this honourable court.” The judge nodded and gave room for the defendant to speak.
At the end of the court hearing, the case was adjourned, pending the arrival of Evelyn Rivera. June stepped out of the court burning with anger, while April was all smiles.
“Hello, sister.” April mocked when they got out of the courtroom. “How’s mommy?”
June who had a terrible few days could barely hold herself. In a fit of anger, she lunged a physical attack on April, which led to a fight that landed her in a holding cell for assault.
A fine was levied on her before she was granted bail. June went home with Rafael who watched her intently all through the ride. Luis had yet to see June and worried sick as he waited for their return from the court.
That night, even Luis could not improve June’s mood. The next day, June and Rafael rushed to the hospital. According to the news, her mother was awake. Lucy, Joel and Carson were seated at the hospital waiting for her when they heard the news.
Judging from the looks on their faces, June felt something was wrong. Carson led her into the hospital room where her mother sat on the bed with a blank look.
“Mother…” She planted herself beside the bed. “I’m so sorry…”
Mrs Evelyn wondered the identity of the beautiful young lady who held her hand so warmly. “Who are you?” It hurt to speak and her voice came out croaky.
“You should have told her!” Rafael whisper-yelled at Carson who tried to speak discreetly but failed woefully.
“I’m sorry. The doctors tried their best to stop her from losing her memory but she had a bad concussion when she fell to the side of the road. We hope and believe the memory loss is temporal but there is a risk it might be permanent.”
June held her mother’s hand, unable to speak as she looked into her empty and clueless orbs. Once again, April had managed to get out unscathed. Once again, she had lost to the same player.
And what’s worse? Her mother might never return.
“I want her brought into the house,” June said with gritted teeth. “Is it possible to have her get treatments from home?”
If there was a chance to get her mother back, June was determined to take it. From her experience, she couldn’t put it past her murderous sister to try to take her mother’s life while in the hospital.
The hospital was not safe enough to protect her mother. It was a risk she couldn’t take. Carson nodded in response. “I thought you might want that.”
A nurse came with some papers. “You just need to sign and we will be taking her out of the hospital to receive home care moving forward.”
June went through the documents and quickly signed them. Soon enough, Evelyn was returning home with June and Rafael. While Evelyn received care from home, June returned to court with April as they battled the case.
On the final hearing, the case was thrown out of court for lack of evidence. It didn’t help that Evelyn couldn’t appear in court for medical reasons. Just like that, April was free to perpetuate her evils on the next victim.
April threw a lavish party to celebrate her freedom and return to work, while June held things together with her mother, JL Architectures and her family. Time flew and soon, three months passed.
Evelyn was learning to walk again but was yet to recover her memory. She was also confined to the Mansion and busied herself with a newfound passion for art. Luis tended to her like a grandmother and June found it heartwarming.
Soon enough, the new office building was completed and June was happy to celebrate the hard work, determination and unwavering loyalty displayed by her employees at JL Architectures.
“We plan to have a small event,” June explained her plans to Rafael who was happy to listen. “The project had been hectic and everything else, I think we need to celebrate this milestone.”
Rafael dropped a kiss on her forehead and hummed in agreement. They were scheduled to supervise the completed project and he looked forward to seeing June’s designs brought to life.
Later that day, the couple visited the site and Rafael was pleased with the turn of events. He praised his wife without reserve. “This is the best building I have had the privilege to own.”
June blushed at his words. “This is nothing compared to the many buildings you own.”
“I am tempted to bring them down and have your company rebuild them to my taste.” He said with a serious look. “What do you think?”
June smiled and elbowed him, “Don’t be funny.”
What was supposed to be a playful gesture turned serious when Rafael suddenly held an arm over his stomach in a painful wince. Fear caught June at the sight of Rafael hunched over in pain.
“Are you okay? I’m so sorry.” She said, holding him up.
Rafael shook his head. It wasn’t a new thing to him. He had been experiencing reoccurring pain in his stomach for some time now. These days, it seemed to be coming more frequently.
“Do I need to call Carson? What is going on?” June panicked, reaching for her phone.
Rafael stopped her. “I am fine.” He managed a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I just felt a bit of pain. Nothing I can’t handle.”
“I think you need a check-up. We’ll round up here and head straight to the hospital.” June said, leaving no room for refusal.
She texted Carson and thankfully, he was on his seat and ready to have them. They entered the car and headed straight for South City Hospital.