Chapter 25
Nicole was rushed to the ER, and Chase waited anxiously outside, his face etched with worry. The assistant gently nudged him. “Mr. Reyes, I’ve informed the Kennedy family. Should we proceed to the airport? We’ll miss our flight otherwise.” Cloudville was a remote mountain town, served by only one daily flight. Given the recent inclement weather and frequent cancellations, the assistant felt it prudent to remind him. Chase frowned, clearly irritated. “Are you out of your mind? Amanda is fine, enjoying herself in Cloudville. She’s not in danger. Nicole, however, could be seriously ill. How can I leave her now?”
The assistant had assumed Chase’s late-night request for flowers and gifts signaled a reconciliation. Just the previous night, Chase had claimed I mattered more than Nicole. Now, his priorities seemed to have shifted dramatically. I noticed the assistant's eyes dimming with sympathy. He had witnessed the deterioration of Chase and my relationship, and likely wished for a reconciliation. He bowed his head, concealing his disappointment. “I’ll cancel the flight immediately.”
When the Kennedy family arrived, Nicole was wheeled out, and the doctor called, “Family of the patient.” Chase quickly stepped forward. “I’m here. How is Nicole?” Seeing Chase's anxiety, the doctor responded, “She’s stable now. However, how could you be so careless? You knew about her heart condition and still allowed her to become stressed! Timely treatment prevented a potentially fatal attack!”
“Stressed?” The Kennedy family turned to Chase. “What happened after Nicole returned to your family home yesterday?”
Chase looked puzzled. “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll investigate. Nicole’s okay. That’s all that matters.”
In the hospital room, everyone gathered around Nicole as if she were fragile, their eyes filled with concern. It reminded me of the pandemic lockdown with the Kennedy family. My brother was stranded at the office, and I cared for him. But once I tested positive for the virus, the entire family fled the villa, terrified of infection. From that point, I knew the rift between my family and me was irreparable. In their eyes, I was insignificant. Every time Nicole encountered even a minor problem, they rallied around her, leaving me feeling excluded.
Nicole’s usual caretaker arrived, and a stormy-looking Chase asked, “What happened? How did Nicole become upset?”
“Something on her phone seemed to distress her. I glanced at it; it was filled with abusive messages.”
“Abusive? Who is responsible?”
“I’m unsure. Her phone has been ringing incessantly since last night. I suspect someone leaked her number.”
Chase grabbed Nicole’s phone and unlocked it easily. The call log was full of harassing calls from across the country. The messages were relentless, filled with vile accusations of Nicole seducing another woman’s husband and causing a scene at a wedding. Another call came in as soon as the phone was activated. Chase answered; a middle-aged woman’s voice erupted in insults. “You shameless hussy! How dare you seduce another woman’s husband! You’ll pay for this…”
Everyone in the room, accustomed to privilege, had never encountered such vulgarity. Chase hung up, unwilling to descend to her level.
“My poor girl. How could this happen to her? Who would do such a thing?” my mother cried, her eyes filled with pity, gazing at the still-unconscious Nicole.
Chase’s gaze darkened, and he seethed, “It must be Amanda. She’s behind this!”
Without hesitation, my family and husband blamed me. As usual, Nicole had convinced them I was the villain. I was always at fault.
A faint voice emanated from the bed. “Mom, Dad, Chase, don’t blame Nicole. It’s my fault for making that call and ruining her wedding. If she’s angry, she should be angry at me…”
Nicole’s pale face was tear-streaked, feigning remorse. This act, however often employed, never failed to garner her sympathy from the family.
She tugged at Chase’s sleeve. “Chase, weren’t you supposed to pick up Amanda today? Please go, I’ll be fine. When you get to…”
Chase changed his mind. “I’m not going to Cloudville; Grandma’s birthday is in a few days. Amanda will return for that.”
I watched the snowflakes swirl outside and thought, ‘I won’t make it to Grandma’s birthday… By then, will Chase realize I never went to Cloudville? That I’m gone?’