Chapter 4: Self-Blame

Avery stared blankly at the ceiling, eyes dead after being violated. She doesn't want to think about anything and just wants to silently perish and escape reality but the aching and sore body made it impossible for her to fool herself.

A drop of tear slid down in Avery's face, full of sadness and despair. As Avery is immersed in her grief, she remembered her daughter.

She got up in bed and put on the scattered clothes. The pain in her body made her limp but she ignored it as she remember her daughter crying out in pain.

When Avery arrived at the living room. Avery was petrified. What greeted her was a chaotic living room. The neatly arrange sofa is disordered, the shards of the broken vase are scattered in the living room and the table fell as the content above is scattered around the floor but what made Avery petrified is not the chaotic living room but her daughter lying in the puddle of blood forming under her head.

Her first reaction was to walk over and check her daughter's pulse and;

Her second reaction was to call for an ambulance...

She quickly searches for her phone in her pocket but found none... she runs over upstairs and found her phone quietly lying on the carpet. Forgetting the pain in her body, Avery quickly dialed 911 with trembling hands.

She went downstairs and carefully hold her small hands, tears of self-blame flowing down in her eye sockets.

—

Avery blankly stared at the emergency room with an embarrassed appearance. The disheveled appearance is not out of place in the hospital as many family members are in the same situation but what made people take a second look is the beauty under the unkempt appearance.

She didn't know what happen and how she got here. Her mind was blank all the way, only secretly praying that her daughter will be fine...

Hours pass by and Avery didn't feel hungry as her heart is full of anxiety. The following hours are like torture to her soul and along with time her heart also sinks little by little. Before her mood completely sank in her stomach.

The emergency room light finally turn green.

Avery immediately stood up when she noticed the door opening.

"Doc. How is my daughter?"

"For now, she is out in a life-threatening situation but she lost too much blood and she will probably be in a coma for a while"

Relief wash over Avery when she heard her daughter was fine but self-blame and hatred followed as she remember the cause of the tragedy her daughter suffered.

"Can I see her now?"

She asked the doctor softly. Although, the doctor has seen many situations he still could help but feel sympathy every time. Although, he doesn't know what happen but judging from the embarrassing appearance of the young woman. It's probably a family problem.

"Yes, We will transfer her into her private ward and you are free to visit her"

"Okay, Thank you, Doctor"

Avery bowed slightly to express her thanks

"No thanks. This is my job. Well, I should be going now"

Avery fell back weakly at the chair and close her eyes

Ziii Ziiiii Ziii

She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She took it out and saw the note [Alex].

Alex — Alexandra Reyes, her best friend that has been her spiritual support over the years.

Alex: Where are you? I am downstairs at your house. I brought books and toys for Rhea ^ v ^

Avery: At the hospital

Avery briefly replied. She doesn't want to worry her best friend but she doesn't want to lie to her either. She had been completely honest with her.

Besides, Alex has already seen her at her worst and she still stayed. She knows that Alex accepts her and Rheanna wholeheartedly and sometimes even brings them goods. She is a little goofy and silly but she is still pretty reliable when it comes to serious matters.

Sure enough, after reading her message. Her call followed. Avery connected it in her ears as she greeted dryly

"Lex..."

Avery didn't notice until now her chapped lips and dry throat. She wet her lips using her tongue and clear her voice.

On the other side, Alexandra frown as she listens to her friend's weak voice. She felt distressed and hurriedly ask

"What happens to yo— Nevermind, give me the address"

"I'm at the Whyte Hospital in XXX Avenue"

After saying a few words, Alexandra rode her motorcycle and go to the said address.

When Alexandra arrived she finally saw her friends' current state — embarrassed and distressing.

—

Avery is now in the private ward of her daughter. She just quietly watches the unconscious and thin little girl on the bed. Countless emotions swirled in her heart threatening to explode and a tear finally escape from her eye.

The door into the ward suddenly swings open. Avery hurriedly wipes her tears and looks up to force the tears back.

She look at the visitor and saw her best friend in jeans and a casual white t-shirt. Her hair is tied in a ponytail while a bag hung on her shoulder.

'It was probably her beloved camera'

The black hair framed her beautiful face and in those earthy hues was worry and anxiety.

She strode over and hug her then ask a barrage of questions

"What happen? Why is the little cub hospitalized? And in a coma nonetheless? What did the doctor say? How are y-"

"Rhea is fine and her life is not in danger. As for why this happen..."

Avery trailed off as hatred flashed in her amber eyes.

Avery slowly began to narrate what happen with gritted teeth. Of course, she omitted many uncomfortable and nauseous details.

Alexandra who have been watching every expression of Avery was taken aback when she saw those amber eyes filled with resentment.

You must know that Avery has been very forgiving and kind. She always loves to laugh and those amber eyes are always filled with a scattered light — moving and beautiful.

But now, dark emotions and hatred swirled in those eyes. Her laugh which was like sunshine seem to be extinguished as the dark night came leaving no place for the sun to shine.

When did this happen? Alexandra couldn't help but wonder 'Ahh, It was probably 6 years ago... her smile became less and less after that incident'

Maybe for her friend, that accident is like a blessing and a curse.

Because of that accident, God gave Avery a cute little cub but also because of that incident, Avery started living a life with shackles.

She failed to pursue her dreams... ideals... and vision...

However, as Alexandra listens to Avery narrate the cause and effect. Her face became more and more ugly and dark when Avery finish.

Alexandra couldn't help the profanity that flow in her mouth.

"That BASTARD!" She unconsciously raises her voice but covers it when she remembered where she was...

She eagerly look at Avery and said ...

"Avery, Divorce that bastard and report him to the police!"