Chapter 81: A Moment Before Disaster
Casimir understood the agonizing descent from heaven to hell. He'd believed Raylee had changed her mind, but her rejection was absolute. His emotions were tumultuous; frustration welled within him. His next words were born of sheer exasperation.
“You’re right! Whatever was between us is over. My fiancée is Waverly; we’re finished.”
Raylee nodded. “That’s great.” She took Jeremiah’s hand and left.
“My wife has excellent taste; we’re not interested in such trivialities. His gift is nothing. Tomorrow, I’ll get you a luminous pearl!” Jeremiah showered Raylee with compliments, a raised eyebrow hinting at something more.
Raylee didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I don’t need expensive gifts. All I need is your sincerity.”
“Sincerity is my middle name!” Jeremiah emphasized, a flicker of ruthlessness in his eyes.
They were about to leave when Shanice rushed over, her hesitant tone betraying a long internal struggle.
“Mr. Lorimer, do you know how to contact that scoundrel, my ex-boyfriend?”
“I don’t,” Jeremiah responded coldly, ignoring her.
Shanice protested. “But he used to hang out with you!”
“That was in the past. I don’t know him now,” Jeremiah replied. “Mr. Lorimer, this scoundrel toyed with my emotions. He got me pregnant and disappeared. I had an ectopic pregnancy and a major hemorrhage; I had to have a hysterectomy. I’ve been searching for him for years with no success. I heard he’s left the country.”
“What’s it to me?” Jeremiah glared, completely unmoved by her tragic past.
Raylee was taken aback. She’d heard rumors of Shanice’s past suicide attempt, but never the full, grim reality. A hysterectomy meant Shanice could never be a mother. No wonder she’d attempted suicide; no wonder she was still single in her thirties. As a wealthy family’s daughter, her situation essentially excluded her from suitable matches. No wonder she reacted so strongly to perceived slights.
Overwhelmed, Shanice grabbed Jeremiah’s arm. “Mr. Lorimer, please help me find him!”
Jeremiah abruptly pushed her away. “Are you done?”
Shanice stumbled, but Casimir caught her. “Shanice,” he coaxed, “it’s been so many years; you should let it go. I’ve been searching…”
“Just because you can’t doesn’t mean Mr. Lorimer can’t!” Shanice persisted, pleading with Jeremiah.
“What a nuisance,” he muttered, ferocity glinting in his eyes. He shoved her forcefully, sending her tumbling. Raylee frowned. Jeremiah’s temperament was extreme; gentle as a flowing river at times, a raging storm at others.
Raylee’s empathy moved her to help Shanice rise. But Waverly was quicker, chiding Raylee indiscriminately. “Shanice, are you alright? Why did you push her? Shanice’s already having a hard time, why would you bully her like this?”
Before Raylee could respond, Shanice dashed towards Jeremiah, a madwoman. They were only half a meter from the cliff’s edge. Overwhelmed, Shanice stepped onto loose soil, teetering on the precipice. A terrified scream escaped her lips. “Help!”
In her panic, Shanice grabbed Waverly’s clothes. Waverly, instead of helping, pried Shanice’s hands away and fled. Without hesitation, Raylee rushed forward. Just as Shanice was about to fall, a hand grasped her wrist. But Raylee’s frail frame couldn’t pull back Shanice. They both tumbled over the cliff.
“Save me!”
By the time the men on the hillside reacted, Raylee and Shanice were gone, their cries echoing.
Time passed before Raylee regained consciousness, wedged in a large tree. Branches had pierced her skin, causing searing pain. Thankfully, she could move her limbs, a sigh of relief escaping her. She hadn’t injured any vital areas. Otherwise, the fall would have paralyzed or killed her.
When Her Heart Turned to Stone…