novelraw Chapter 122: Not Entirely A Lost Cause
Chapter 122: Not Entirely A Lost Cause
Chapter 122: Not Entirely A Lost Cause
The weight of Brett’s demands pressed heavily on Chris. He couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had settled over him after their last encounter. The thought of betraying Levi, of manipulating the agreement to benefit Brett’s nefarious scheme, was abhorrent to him. He knew he couldn’t do it. He wouldn’t.
His mind was also in a jumble, why would Brett want that Clause added? It made very little sense. Unless he wanted to set him up and make Levi believe that he had been plotting against him since and wanted to use his son as the tool.
He knew that he had to reach Levi, to confide in him, to throw himself at his mercy, it was better for Levi to hate him than for him to be the reason for his downfall. But all his calls went unanswered.
He knew Levi was struggling with Lyse’s condition, so he was probably not up to dealing with anything but it was important that he speak to Levi as soon as he could. Finally, driven by a growing sense of urgency, Chris decided to go to the hospital.
The atmosphere in the hospital was somber. He asked for Lyse’s room, and the nurse directed him with a sympathetic look. When he arrived at the room, it was empty. A sense of unease washed over him. He approached the nurses’ station, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Excuse me," he said to the nurse on duty. "I’m looking for Lyse... Lyse Van Doren. She was in this room."
The nurse checked her computer, her expression turning grave. "She was discharged just a little while ago, you just missed them" she said.
Chris frowned at the new information. He had not known that Lyse had gotten out of her coma and was even well enough to be discharged. He called Levi’s home and the butler picked up.
"Have Lyse and Levi arrived?" Chris asked.
"I’m sorry Mr Chris, but Mrs Van Doren is not due back from the hospital." Mr Dalton answered.
A cold dread gripped Chris’s heart, he ended the call without saying another word.
"I’m sorry, was Lyse discharged into Levi’s custody?" He asked the nurse.
"No sir, the patient asked to leave." The nurse explained and went back to her work.
Chris was sure at that point that something was terribly wrong. If Lyse was not back the house where was she? And why had Lyse been discharged without him?
He pressed the nurse for more information, but she couldn’t tell him anything else. He left the hospital, his mind filled with worry for his friend.
He decided to try calling Levi’s phone one last time. He dialed the number, holding his breath as the phone rang. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, someone picked up.
"Hello?" a voice answered, sounding unsure.
"Levi?" Chris asked, his voice filled with relief.
"This is not Levi." the voice answered.
"Who are you?" he demanded sharply. "Where are you, where is Levi?"
"I am calling from the Starr lounge, the owner of this phone is here and too drunk to go home on his own." The voice answered.
"I’m coming," Chris said, his voice firm. "Keep him there please, don’t let him leave."
He hung up the phone, a wave of relief washing over him. At least he knew where Levi was. But he also knew he was walking into a difficult situation. Levi was clearly in a bad state, and Chris knew he would have to tread carefully.
He drove to the bar, the garish neon sign glowing in the night. As he stepped inside, the dim lighting and the smell of stale beer hit him. He scanned the room, and his heart sank when he saw Levi.
He was slumped over the bar, his head resting on his arms, an empty glass in front of him. He looked disheveled, his clothes rumpled, his hair a mess. He was clearly heavily intoxicated.
Chris approached him cautiously, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Levi," he said gently.
Levi lifted his head slowly, his eyes bloodshot and unfocused. He stared at Chris for a moment, as if trying to recognize him.
"Chris?" he mumbled, his voice slurred. "Wh... what are you doing here?"
"I have been worried about you," Chris said, his voice filled with concern. "I’ve been trying to reach you all day."
Levi shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "What is the point?" he mumbled. "She doesn’t even know who I am."
"Who?? What do you mean?" Chris asked, confusion in his voice.
"Lyse, she does not know me. I am a stranger to her." He cried.
Chris’s heart ached for his friend as he watched him cry. He had never seen Levi look so desolate, he could not imagine the pain of losing someone you love, even when they were still physically present.
"I am so sorry , Levi," he said softly. "I can imagine that it’s hard."
"Hard?" Levi repeated, his voice rising. "It’s more than hard, Chris. It’s like... she is gone. She might be right there, but she’s gone. She’s not my Lyse anymore."
Chris pulled up a stool beside him, signaling the bartender for a water. He knew Levi needed to sober up, at least a little.
"I know that you’re hurting," Chris said gently. "But you can’t do this to yourself, Levi. You need to take care of yourself."
Levi shook his head again, tears welling up in his eyes. "What is the point Chris?" he repeated, his voice laced with despair. "Without her, there’s no point."
"Have the doctors said that this is permanent?" Chris asked, "it’s not entirely a lost cause."
Levi simply shook his head and tried to take another drink but Chris grabbed it out of his hold and kept it asides
Chris knew he had to be strong for his friend. He had to pull him back from the brink. He knew this was going to be a long and difficult process, but he was determined to be there for Levi, to help him through this dark time.
He knew that Brett’s demands were still looming over him, but for now, his priority was Levi. He had to help his friend find his way back from the darkness, to remind him that even in the face of unimaginable loss, there was still hope.