Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

"I apologize very much for everything, I could have come earlier but you were not in a condition to receive visitors, I hope you do not blame me? "

She touched Rachel's pale face softly, a look of compassion spread across her features.

Rachael stared at the older woman. She always regarded her as a daughter, she couldn't fault the older woman for anything.

"I don't blame anyone. " Her voice was neutral.

An awkward silence passed by, Carolyn heaved out a sigh, of course the girl had only said that not to upset her, Caleb had really gone out of the line this time.

"How do you feel now? Are you still in pain?"

Even more than physical injuries, her heart hurt more, but Rachel couldn't begin to tell Carolyn of her mother, in the end, none of them would deeply understand her 

"I'm better, thank you" Rachel replied in that same monotone voice. Her depressed expression never leaving for once.

The room fell in momentary silence, Carolyn met Amelia's expression, who appeared to also not know what to say that could possibly make Rachael feel better.

All Rachel wanted was to be left alone, she wanted to lie on the bed and return to that dreamy land she had been stuck in for the last few days, it had been empty but at least she had known peace in those moments.

"Here drink your medicines, you'll feel alright " it was Susan who broke the silence, blowing on the plate before scooping a spoon and held it to Rachael's lips.

Rachael parted her lips, if anything her throat felt dry and scratchy, she also felt very weaker than she had ever been in her life.

It was bitter, she wanted to spit it out immediately, but Susan immediately produced a cube of sugar.

"Tada! Got you covered " 

A faint smile formed on Rachel's lips, Susan indeed knew her well enough, they were not best friends without knowing each other's likes and dislikes. 

The medicines indeed helped her to relieve the soreness in her throat.

The depression returned as soon as she remembered what awaited her. Even though she had passed out that day, nothing still has been resolved.She wondered what her father would do once he learned she has regained consciousness, would he force her to go apologies to Caleb? Or maybe he would send her out of the house entirely.

Rachael had no issue with that, there was just one person who she couldn't bear to leave behind.

Her mother.

Her father would no doubt make her life a living hell and would take out every frustration he felt towards her.

She had no choice but to accept the fate that had been written down for her.

Bitter tears of frustration and helplessness formed in her eyes and she blinked it back, the last thing she wanted was to gain sympathy from the people around her.

Susan excused herself out of the room when she was done feeding Rachael her medicines, but not before giving Rachael's palm a last comforting squeeze.

Rachael closed her eyes, soon after the two women found their way out guessing she doesn't want to be disturbed.

The effects of the medicines grew stronger and soon she found herself dozing off, she didn't manage to because the door was suddenly pushed open the next moment and she heard footsteps approaching.

She didn't bother to open her eyes, guessing it to be Susan who was returning, or maybe it was her mother returning again to show sympathy. 

It wasn't as though she blamed her mother, all she blamed was her helplessness in this situation.

She didn't open her eyes until the footsteps got louder.

Her father was approaching her, along with the last person she would ever expect.

Caleb Sterling.

His cold grey eyes found her fragile form on the bed.

She straightened from the bed in shock and absolute surprise. 

"Your mother told me you woke up " Her father spoke, sounding almost pleased if the gleam in his gaze was anything to go by.

Rachael didn't respond to that, instead, she couldn't avert her gaze from the second presence which seemed to make the temperature of the room went a little degree lower.

"It's good to see you are okay, it's perfect I'll say, then we can proceed with what I came here for."

It didn't come as a surprise to Rachael that her father wasn't here because he was concerned about her health. But a sudden wave of panic stuck in her throat, she had a feeling that she wouldn't like what was about to come next.

Her gaze traveled to Caleb who wore a stoic expression, he didn't bother with asking her if she was fine, a thought flashed across her mind.

Perhaps her father still wanted her to apologize for upsetting Caleb?

If that was so, she would concede to that, if that was the only way they would leave her alone, she would do it.

"I'm s...sorry about the other d..day " her voice came out small and scratchy as she struggled to a sitting position.

Her apology was met by silence, but she caught an undeciphered gleam in Caleb's eyes.

He stood tall and proud, making her feel as if she was nothing but a speck of dust beneath his feet.

"I'm not here so you would say sorry to me " Caleb spoke for the first time since his appearance into the room, his deep voice sending an involuntary shudder through her smaller frame.

If he wasn't here for that, then why? She would not make the mistake to think that he was actually here to see her because a part of him felt remorseful about his deeds. 

People like Caleb didn't feel remorse, they could only hurt and hurt.

His gaze held a hint of mockery as he approached a step towards her.

Her heart began to pound violently against her ribcage.

"I'm here to decide our wedding date, Miss Rachael."

He spoke those words as though he was ordering his next item and she was the commodity he wanted. 

His tone also didn't insinuate that she had any other choice but to obey.