Chapter 24
In recent days, Eliza had been practically living at the hospital, darting between rooms to take care of the Newell family and Aiden with unwavering dedication. She bathed Greg, fed Thea, and changed Evan’s bandages, each task done with genuine care and focus.
The Newells watched Eliza’s flurry of activity, their guilt deepening with every passing day, Greg tried to speak up several times but always stumbled over his words.
Finally, one afternoon, as Eliza was about to exit the room, Greg reached out, his voice trembling, “Eliza, we messed up before. Please, can you forgive us?”
Thea and Evan stood nearby, their eyes brimming with hope. Eliza stopped, a flash of hurt crossing her face.
Taking a deep breath, she replied slowly, “I can’t just forgive and forget. I’m here because you once saved me, but the hurt you caused, the neglect and painful memories, aren’t things I can brush aside like that.”
The Newells listened, feeling as if they’d been hit by a freight train. Thea covered her face, sobbing, Greg lowered his head, and Evan watched Eliza, his face etched with pain.
Eliza looked them squarely in the eye and said, “Once you get better, we’re done. Please, don’t seek me out or drag me back to that painful past.”
With those words, Eliza turned and walked out of the room. Her silhouette slowly disappeared down the corridor, each step seemingly crushing the already shattered hearts of the Newell family.
Greg watched her leave, his arms hanging limply at his sides, memories of his coldness toward Eliza flashing through his mind like an old film reel. He remembered her as a child, watching him with longing as he played with Margot, only to be sent away impatiently; remembered her birthdays when he didn’t even bother with a simple “Happy Birthday,” too caught up in throwing lavish parties for Margot.
Now, regret washed over him like a tidal wave, a lump formed in his throat, and all he could manage was a desperate, raspy cry, “Eliza…”
Thea crumpled to the floor, pounding her fists into the ground, her sobs gut–wrenching. She remembered when Eliza was sick, how she’d given her medicine half–heartedly before rushing off to tend to Margot. And there’s that school event Eliza was so excited about, only to be let down because of Margot’s minor whims.
“How could I have been so heartless? Eliza, I’m so sorry…” Her voice cracked from crying too much, her face a mess of tears and snot, drowning in self–blame and sorrow.
Evan slid down against the wall, cradling his head in his hands, staring blankly ahead. He remembered helping Margot snatch Eliza’s favorite toys and mocking her for being soft. At school, he would deliberately keep his distance to avoid being embarrassed by her.
These memories cut through his heart like knives. “Eliza, it was my fault. I’m sorry. Please come back…” His plea was swallowed by the cold, echoing silence of the hospital corridor.
Their cries mingled, filling the room with a heavy sense of regret. Each one of them wrestled with their remorse, painfully aware that the damage they’d done couldn’t be undone with a few words.
Eliza’s departure left a wound that refused to heal, their hearts bleeding as they wrestled with the
consequences of their actions. They were stuck in an abyss of regret, tasting the bitter fruits of what they’d
sown.
1/1
