Chapter 52

Elena’s POV:

It's been a few days since I was discharged from the hospital. I had been at home and in bed with Zoey by my side.

I had not eaten.

I had not taken my bath.

I had not changed into something fresh or changed my clothes.

I refused to drink water.

I couldn't sleep at night.

I haven't moved or gone out.

Grandma left a few days ago, She and Zoey had made sure that I was alright.

They always tried their best to clean me up and made sure that I was okay, but I was still like a vegetable with them.

Nicklaus left the house earlier this morning, and I didn't know his whereabouts. I didn't know what had happened to me. Zoey stayed with me the whole time. He had been so distant lately, and I could tell that he was grieving as well.

People are different, and everybody handles grief differently.

Everything and everyone was strange to me at that point. I hated some presence around me, and I just wished my world would end. 

My pain had been bottling up inside of me, and I felt like a rejected stone. My heart had been shattered into a million pieces.

The bedroom door opened gently, and Zoey walked in with a tray of meals in her hands. She kept it on the table and gently raised me from the bed to eat, but I wasn't hungry  

I wished food would be able to bring back my happiness, but it wouldn't.

Everything is just becoming unbearable, I knew I had to move on, but it wasn't that easy to do.

  

Nicklaus's family had been caring and nice, unlike my family members. The last time I saw them was in the hospital. The next morning, when I opened my eyes, they were nowhere to be found.

Nicklaus had been kind and caring for some time since the incident. He had stayed with me and made sure that I was never alone in all of this. Even when I didn't need his presence, he always made sure he took care of me. But at some point, he became distant.

Sometimes I would sleep alone and wake up in bed alone. He wouldn't come to the house. I guess he usually goes to his other compound, but I craved his presence every day.

I knew he was hurting too because I could see pain all over his face. I just needed my space to heal properly. To think things through and figure out how to make myself happy again.

Today is the day they will bring out clear footage of the cameras, and they will conclude with the investigations. I just want the culprit to be caught.

The bedroom brought about a lot of memories. I just wish I could move to a different room. Nicklaus left the house yesterday to meet with the investigators, and I haven't set my eyes on him since then. I waited for him to hear what he had to say, but he was taking forever to return.

I craved his presence. A part of me wanted him around me. I have missed him so much. I missed the bond we used to share. I wanted to know Nicklaus's thoughts. It seemed like he also needed time to process everything. He is also grieving, so he needs his space. Maybe he didn't want me to see him grieving.

After some time, I managed to eat something so I could gather enough strength, and Zoey tucked me into bed after that. I lay on the bed and curled myself tightly. I could perceive Nicklaus's scent on the sheets, and it brought back good and happy memories.

I held my belly and laughed from time to time. It was as if I was going mad, but I wasn't. I just wanted to laugh away the sorrows.

I laughed when I remembered all of the fun stuff we usually do together. The way he would make me wear a fitted dress because of my little baby bump. I remember how our bond started to grow on our honeymoon and how he was so jealous and possessive.

My face became sad when I thought about how I would have avoided this situation if I hadn't attended that party. Maybe I would have been happy, as would Nicklaus.

Maybe we would have still had our unborn child growing.

Days went by, and I couldn't stand not seeing Nicklaus. I wanted to hear from him. How can he disappear for days without telling me his whereabouts? Why hadn't he come back home or called me?

I called the office, and I was told he wasn't at the office.

Zoey had to travel back to Oregon for work, and it felt like I had to be strong for myself right now. 

The day became dark. I reached for my phone and thought about giving Nicklaus a call.

Everywhere was quiet and dark. The workers had left the house. It felt empty and too big for me to stay in. I walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. 

I turned to walk back to the hallway with the glass of water in my hands when I saw the bar room open with a dim light coming out of it. I walked to the door and slowly pushed the door wide open.

Nicklaus was sitting on a sofa, and he gulped down a bottle of whiskey. He loosened his tie and placed his hands on his head. He looked pale.

He seemed to be lost in thought. Just as I was about to walk up to him, I saw a woman standing beside him. She offered him a glass of whisky, and he gulped it down immediately. She moved her hands to his shoulder and gently moved her fingers down his chest.