Tears poured out of Evelyn’s eyes upon sighting June, seated on her bed, awake, alive and in tears. She blinked, unable to believe it was indeed her child.
The one she had watched for the past seven months, bereft and holding on to the hope that one day, she would look back at her with the brown orbs she’d grown to miss.
“Mother…” June cried and made her way to her mother who sat in a wheelchair.
As soon as Evelyn woke up, she refused the doctor’s advice and insisted on seeing June immediately. Lucy tried to calm her and exposed that June was well and awake, which worsened the situation.
Mrs Evelyn tried to pull out the IV drip when she heard that June was awake but thankfully, the doctor was there to help the situation. After a few long minutes, Evelyn was dressed and placed in a wheelchair with her IV drip made to go.
“Child…” Evelyn cried. “Is that really you? Are you truly alive?”
June walked up to her mother and held her hand. “I’m so sorry, mother.” She cried. When Evelyn felt June’s thin hand, she burst into tears.
This daughter of hers had gone through a lot of suffering these past few months. The mother and daughter duo cried together, comforting one another and healing together.
By the time they wiped their tears, a hospital bed was wheeled into June’s ward. Evelyn refused to leave her daughter and June refused to let her remain without treatment.
Their beds were placed side by side in the large room and the next few days were spent catching up and healing from the situation. Soon enough, June was clear to go. Evelyn left the hospital first, saying something along the lines of needing to tidy the house for her return.
Meanwhile, Lucy sat beside her, giving updates on the company. “Everyone is eager to meet you.” She said with a smile. “I can’t wait for when you finally meet the new employees and occupy your office.”
“The news of your survival is all over South City news media. We are getting a lot of calls from journalists who wish to interview you.” Lucy laughed nervously. “Some even say you have nine lives!”
June’s disinterest in the topic was glaring. Ever since she woke up, there’s been little to no news on what happened with Rafael. Whenever she tried to find out his situation, Lucy managed to divert the conversation to something else.
This time around, June was not having it. Lucy refused to get her a new phone following the destruction of her former phone, always using the excuse of forgetting that little detail. By now June was certain Lucy and Liam were keeping something from her.
Even her mother seemed to be in on it too. They were all on an elaborate plan to keep her in the dark about what happened with Rafael. It all ends now.
“What happened to Rafael?” June said with her gaze fixed on Lucy who gulped. “And don’t try to bring up another topic because I assure you, it won’t work.”
Lucy bit her lower lips, she knew it was only a matter of time before June got tired of her evasive measures. The truth was that, Rafael was yet to recover and according to her last conversation with Carson, his body was still having a hard time recovering from the cancer.
The accident had more impact on Rafael than on June, Judging from his weak immune system at the time. They had contemplated taking Rafael off the ventilator but with June’s miraculous recovery, they were still hopeful.
“I don’t -”
“Don’t lie to me, Lucy,” June said in a low tone. “You are better than that.”
Lucy was thrust into a difficult situation. How was she to say that Rafael was still in critical condition? She knew that June was significantly better but couldn’t risk jeopardising the progress of her health with such bad news.
As it is, she didn’t know the position of June as regards Rafael. Although they were divorced and separated, the fact they were together during the terrible incident spoke volumes of their relationship.
She couldn’t predict June’s reaction to the news, which made telling her more risky. The more Lucy remained silent, the more aggravated June became.
“Is he dead?” June gritted, and Lucy’s eyes widened.
“Of course not!” Lucy was quick to negate. When she saw June’s narrowed brows, she added softly, “At least not yet.”
“What happened to him, Lucy?! Does he not want to see me? Is he married? What is it you are all hell-bent on hiding from me?!” June asked, stress building in her features.
Lucy hated the sight of her friend looking so distraught. “He-He-He-”
“He’s what?!”
“He’s in critical condition, okay?!” Lucy said with her hands flared. “Mr Ambrose had the worst hit during the accident. The doctors said he took most of the impact. Coupled with his weak immune system, it was a miracle he didn’t die on impact.”
“He is on the ventilator, however, there is no hope of him waking anytime soon.” Lucy broke the news, scared of her friend’s reaction.
June’s eyes fluttered close as they processed the information. She needed to see him. She needed to see him with her eyes. “Which hospital is he? Prepare a car, we need to see him.” She said and Lucy shook her head.
“You can’t do that, Ma’am,” Lucy said, stopping her from getting up.
“Another thing I can’t do.” June gritted, getting upset. The past few weeks since she awakened have been filled with enough limitations to last her a lifetime. “Pray tell, why can’t I?”
“You are still regaining your strength. I don’t think this is the right time to experience such a thing.” Lucy said wholeheartedly, “I know you might have feelings for him, but please place your health first.”
“Is that all?” June said, getting out of bed and wearing her shoes.
Lucy felt confused as she watched her get ready.
“Do you want to know what I think?” June asked without meeting her eyes, “I think I will lose my mind if I stay here one more second without knowing the truth,”
“I told you the truth!” Lucy defended but June was not having it.
“About Rafael.” June suffixed, “While I sat my ass in here, going through my treatments like an obedient fool, I asked for one thing. The truth. But you all avoided saying anything.”
“I can’t help but wonder what else you haven’t told me. What happened to Sheila and Sharon, Luis, and Rafael.” June was ready to leave. “I need to find answers myself because it’s clear you all won’t give me.”
Lucy was overwhelmed by June’s words. “It’s all to protect you-”
“I am not a child, Lucy! I might take this from my mother but I won’t take it from you too. We are supposed to be on the same side.”
“We are!”
“Then tell me!”
Just then, Liam stepped into the room, having heard their voices from outside. “What’s going on?”
Lucy was far too gone. “You want to know? Fine. I’ll tell you.”
“Rafael is on the ventilator, Sharon got convicted for perverting justice, and Sheila died the day you woke up.” She spilled.
“Lucy!” Liam was a second too late. “What the hell?!”
June stiffened. “Sheila d-d-died?”