Richard's POV
Nodding in response to what the doctor is saying, I continue looking at Leo, who is staring at me from outside the transparent door.
“It will take at least two weeks to heal, but for now, I will suggest you use crutches,” he advises, signaling to the nurse to bring the crutches closer.
I stare at it in horror.
“You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Giodano. This is just to assist you with healing and movement. It's just a simple sprain in the leg, and you will be good in two weeks. You can come back after that to remove the cast.”
I nod again, this time interested in knowing how to use the crutches.
As if hearing my thoughts, he comes forward and helps me up, lifting the crutches up and keeping them at arm's length.
“Lean forward,” he orders calmly, and I do so obediently, wincing as the pain shoots through me. “When you want to walk, you will have to put both crutches 1 foot ahead of you before shifting your weight on them. Afterwards, you push your body and the good foot forward, then move the injured foot. Always look forward,” he says, straightening my head to look forward as I take a step.
“Good,” he nods in satisfaction.
Just then, a knock comes to the transparent door, and we both turn around to see Mother and Arabel next to Leo.
I forget all about the practice and push forward, only to fall face down on my chest.
“Hey.”
Running feet bring them into the room, and I see Leo helping me up with the nurse's assistant.
“You can't do that. Learn to use the crutches first.” He seems to be scolding me, but I am less interested in what he is saying now.
My eyes are on her.
While the doctor was attending to me earlier, all I wanted to do was stalk out and ask Leo if he had found her.
From the look on his face, it was evident he hadn't, and I was going to scold him before they arrived.
“What happened?” Mother inquires, and I turn to Leo, grateful that he contacted them both.
“I fell.”
“Mrs. Giodano,” the doctor calls, stretching his hand for a handshake.
“Yes, doctor. What happened?”
“He had a sprain in the leg, but it's minor; he should be up and going in about two weeks,” he explains to Mom, who rushes to my side immediately with worry.
She helps me to the bed, while Arabel stands at a distance, not sure what to do. I wish she could come closer.
With a nod, the doctor leaves with the nurse trailing behind him.
“I called them when you were still unconscious,” he informs me before going back outside.
I notice Arabel turns to look at him until he is out of view. Mother is by my side, asking if I am feeling any pain, but my attention is on Arabel, whose gaze suddenly meets mine.
She moves forward.
“How are you feeling now?” She demands, avoiding my gaze.
“Much better, thank you,” I respond instantly, flashing her a little smile.
She doesn't smile back. She only takes a step backward.
“We rushed here as soon as he called…”
“You and Ara…Bella?” I ask in surprise, looking from mom to Bella. Mom nods without any further explanation.
Perhaps Arabel went back to New York, where they met.
“I should excuse you two.” She motions to go out, leaving us alone. Mother has a light smile on her face, and when I raise a brow in question, she only winks.
“Mum, what?!” I almost shout. The excitement jolting inside of me has replaced all the worry and concern about where she must have gone.
Seeing her now has brought so much relief to me.
“Nothing,” she says, helping me to lie down. “You should rest.”
“Mum?” I call her again, knowing something is definitely wrong, but she isn't offering any explanation.
“It's nothing, Richard. You will know soon, ok?” I want to insist. Curiosity is eating at me. I want to know if she finally admitted it to Mom, or if it was something else.
Do I still have a chance with her? Should I give her more time?
After helping me to the bed, she hovers above me and presses a kiss on my forehead. “You should get some sleep. Did you eat?”
I shake my head, feeling like a little boy.
“Arabel and I will get you something to eat; just relax.”
“Arabel?” I jump up. “Did she admit it?”
Mother falls silent, even though there is a faint smile on her face. She looks around, as if to check if Arabel is close.
“I called her that because it's just the two of us. I guess old habits never die," she chuckles nervously, making me feel like she isn't telling me the truth. She knows something, but she is hiding it.
“Mom?” I call back. “Why aren't you asking me about what happened here? Why aren't you saying anything?”
She looks confused for a moment.
“She refused to admit it, mom! I did all I could, but she refused. Instead, she flew away overnight just to avoid me. And I fell because of that!”
“Are you trying to blame her now or what?”
“What? No!”
“Then why do you sound angry?” She peers down at me with her arms folded.
I open my mouth to say something but close it back, realizing I am indeed angry. “I'm just frustrated, mom. I'm confused. I'm exhausted. I don't know what else to do. How can I ask for forgiveness when she is still in denial? I feel as though I am merely a burden she wouldn’t think twice about getting rid of. I just want her to admit it, and others will follow. Perhaps you should talk to her.”
“I should talk to her? Didn't you ask me not to interfere?” Anger shimmers in her eyes, and I realize the past has now come to haunt us both. “You clearly told me not to. You said you could handle it. Handle it like the man that you are. You were the one who was so dumb to realize what a gem she was until she left, so fix it!”
With that, she storms out, leaving me with my mouth hanging open in surprise.
“Did she just turn the tables on me?” I ask no one in particular, wishing she was still here so I could blame it all on her.
She promised never to bring this up, and here we are again.
If she blames me one more time, I will do the same.
I try to lay down and wave it all away, but I cannot. My pulse is pounding as rage boils inside of me.
Before I know it, I find myself getting up from the bed and grabbing the crutches. Carelessly, I use it to take one step after another until I am outside the door, glancing around for my mother.
Suddenly, I see her come out alone, and I move closer until she sees me.
“Mom, you promised, but now you have gone back on your promise. You are the one who should take all the blame!”
“Really? I wasn't the one who was unfaithful to my wife, was I?” She seems to have known I was going to do this.
“I wasn't unfaithful!” I grit my teeth and snap at her. Two nurses, passing by, continue to watch us as we argue.
I'm glad that not everyone here understands English.
With adrenaline rushing through my veins, I continue. “I wasn't unfaithful; how many times do you want me to tell you that? When will you stop doing this?”
Her face lit up with regret, but I wasn't finished with her. I need to let it all out.
“If you hadn't forced her on me, perhaps this wouldn't have happened!”
As a result, I turn back to leave when her words stop me.
“Then act like a man and get her back. Don't you dare ask me for help from now on? You can blame me all you want, but you are also to blame for being stupid and careless. You wouldn't have realized your mistake if that bitch hadn't rejected you!”
“Mom!”
Eve didn't reject me. I want to say this.
The more she is saying, the more upset I am. She's making me angry.
“What?!”
“What is happening?” The familiar voice of the woman we were just talking about makes humiliation creep beneath my skin.
With a mix of dread and panic, I stare at her face to see if she heard anything, but her expression is void of any emotion, making me turn back to go back to the room.
The knot in my throat pulls tighter, making a tear slip down my eyes.
Blinded by my rage, I don't realize I am not sticking to the instructions of the doctor on how to use the crutches.
Suddenly, I miss a step, and I find myself falling face-down to the floor again.