abcnovels
Chapter 117
Chapter 117
Chapter 117
Chapter 117
HAZEL
PRESENT TIME
Two long and painful days have crawled by since my little girl disappeared, and the absence of any concrete developments. is becoming an unbearable burden. Each passing moment seems to stretch into eternity, leaving me increasingly on the precipice of losing my sanity. I often find myself standing in front of the mirror, reciting to myself like a desperate incantation that my beloved daughter is still out there, that she’s alive and will soon be reunited with me.
I staunchly refuse to relinquish the lifeline of hope, as it’s the one thing I can grasp onto in this overwhelming darkness. Splashing more water onto my face, I clung to the sink’s edge, releasing a heavy sigh that carried the weight of my relentless anxiety and heartache.
A soft, comforting knock on the bathroom door diverted my attention away from the bathroom sink. Ravel gently pushed the door open and entered the room. He watched me closely, his eyes reflecting the pain he tried so hard to conceal. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern. I stared at him, my gaze unwavering, and he quickly averted his eyes, realizing that it was an impractical question given the circumstances. “The detective is here to speak with us,” he informed me, trying to shift the focus.
I nodded in acknowledgment, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on my mind. “I’ll be down shortly,” I assured him, my voice steadier than my heart felt.
Ravel approached me, his strong arms enveloping me in a tender hug, and he planted a gentle kiss on my temple. “All of this will come to an end soon,” he murmured softly, “and our daughter will grow up, leaving these painful memories behind.”
I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer, and they flowed freely down my cheeks. “Yes,” I replied, my voice quivering, “I believe she’ll come back to us. We’ll watch her grow, and one day, she won’t remember any of this.” The hope in my words. served as a lifeline in the abyss of despair that had engulfed us.
Sniffling, Ravel buried his head in the crook of my neck, holding me close for a moment longer. “Let’s not keep the detective waiting. Perhaps he has some good news,” he murmured before placing one last tender kiss on my temple. Reluctantly, he released me and exited the bathroom, heading downstairs.
I spent a final moment scrutinizing my reflection in the mirror, wiping away any lingering traces of tears. Then, I followed Ravel downstairs. As I entered the room, I found Ravel offering a glass of water to the detective.
The detective accepted the glass and swiftly drank its contents, returning it to the housekeeper. He began with a somber tone, understanding that what he had to say might not be what we were hoping for. “I know this isn’t exactly what you
both
would like to hear, but I’ll keep it brief.”
Seated beside Ravel, I felt a mixture of tension and exhaustion. My hands were crossed, and my unbrushed hair cascaded. over my face, framing a picture of disarray that mirrored the chaos inside me. It was hard to recall the last time I had cared about such trivial concerns.
Desperation filled my voice as I asked, “Do you have any news about my daughter?” The detective met my eyes with empathy and tried to offer reassurance. “Not yet, ma’am, but please know that we are committed to achieving a positive
outcome.”
With a heavy sigh, the detective continued, pulling out his notepad. “I spoke with Ms. June yesterday, and she vehemently denied any involvement in the kidnapping.”
I couldn’t help but offer a wry response. “Wouldn’t such a denial be expected?” I quipped. Ravel, recognizing my frustration, wrapped his arm around me, offering me solace and support.
The detective, undeterred by my tone, proceeded with another question. “Can you tell me about your relationship with
David?”
A puzzled frown creased my forehead as I pondered the detective’s curious line of questioning regarding David. “David was my college mate, and over time, he became a dear friend and later a business partner. Why do you ask?” My confusion was
mirrored by Ravel’s increasingly inquisitive expression as he absently drummed his index finger on his knee.
The detective didn’t provide a direct answer to my query and instead posed another unusual question. “What is his relationship with Ms. June?” His persistent focus on this connection seemed peculiar.
“They have no relationship,” I replied firmly. “At least not one that I’m aware of.” I scrutinized the young detective intently. “I’ll ask you again, why do you ask?”
The detective divulged, “After my interview with her yesterday, she went directly to David’s place without any detours.” His revelation sent a frown rippling across my features. “If there’s no connection between them, then I believe we should bring him in for questioning as well.”
The revelation about June’s actions left me in a state of disbelief. I leaned forward, distancing myself from Ravel’s comforting embrace, as the pieces of this bewildering puzzle began to form a disturbing picture. “Wait a minute,” I spoke, my voice laced with incredulity, “June has been meeting with David?” This situation was becoming increasingly complex, like something out of a Hollywood drama. I turned to Ravel, seeking clarity on the matter. “Have you noticed any unusual behavior from June?”
Ravel hesitated before responding, blinking slowly as if to carefully consider his words. My patience dwindled, and I pressed him firmly, “Ravel, answer the question.”
Finally, he conceded, “You mentioned that you saw her attempting to unplug the machine connected to Elenor while she was still unconscious, right?” I nodded in agreement. The detective listened attentively to our conversation. Ravel went on, “Well, Elenor told me something quite unsettling. She overheard June and my mother discussing plans to sabotage your art exhibition.”
The weight of this revelation was almost too much to bear. It felt like my life had taken a sudden and surreal turn, as if I were a character in an elaborate and bewildering Hollywood saga.
My eyes widened in utter shock. “What in the world are you saying?” I struggled to comprehend the magnitude of what I had just heard.
Ravel’s gaze remained steady as he continued, “My mother and June were behind the sabotage of your art exhibition, and it appears that a close male associate of yours provided the crucial contact information of your most important clients.”
A shiver of realization coursed through me. “There’s only one male close enough to me who would have access to the contact details of my important clients.” I felt a sense of dread looming as I pieced the puzzle together. “Are you saying it’s David?”
Ravel’s response was nonchalant, and he shrugged. “You asked about the connection between June and David, and I simply provided an answer. I had to reopen Elenor’s accident case before I came to Seattle.”
My determination solidified as I declared, “As soon as I find my daughter, I will undoubtedly launch a legal case against your mother, Anne, and David. You better not attempt to interfere or take sides.”
The detective’s curiosity deepened, and he probed further, clearly baffled by the complexity of the case. “Why would Ravel’s mother want to sabotage your business?” he inquired, recognizing the need to uncover the motives behind the plot.
A surge of irritation washed over me, and I responded sharply, “She never liked me. So, I’m not surprised she’s plotting my downfall.”
Ravel, not one to back down from seeking answers, interjected. “Hold on a minute.” The collective attention shifted to him. “Why aren’t you more surprised to hear that David might have betrayed you?”
My heart raced as I found myself at the center of their scrutiny. I blinked, searching for the right words. “I had already started to become suspicious of him and his family.”
Ravel’s eyebrows arched as he probed, “Suspicious in what way?”
I shrugged, unraveling a bit more of the mystery. “That’s why I hired the private investigator. David was the stalker I encountered in New York,” I disclosed, and Ravel’s eyes widened in response. “I ran into him at the hospital, and he provided an excuse for his behavior. I also discovered that he’s not their only child, and his family is denying it.” The unraveling
secrets had now caught Ravel’s attention, adding another layer of intrigue to the perplexing situation.
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