Chapter 130
Rachel
I woke up feeling like my body was wrapped in cotton. The white ceiling above me was strange and somewhat comforting, but it made me feel out of place. Everything seemed to float in a hazy state, and for a moment I couldn't understand where I was. The hospital felt like a distant universe, completely disconnected from everything I had experienced in the last few hours. The white ceiling, the fluorescent lights, and the constant sound of machines monitoring heartbeats created an atmosphere that was both calm and oppressive. The distinctive smell of antiseptic filled the air, reinforcing the feeling of vulnerability. Everything there was functional, clinical, but I couldn't help but feel like I was stuck in some kind of limbo.
My body felt heavy, as if I had carried the weight of the entire world before collapsing. Still, there was a restlessness inside me that wouldn't let me stay still. My mind was in turmoil, mixing memories of the rain, Vincenzo's face, and Veronica's words echoing like an endless nightmare. My heart was tight, a mixture of fear, relief, and uncertainty.
I looked at Nancy, sitting next to me, and for a brief moment, the warmth of her presence brought me comfort. But then the weight of reality hit me again. Vincenzo was in prison. Veronica had talked about a child. And here I was, trapped in a hospital, unable to act. Everything seemed so out of control, and I barely knew where to begin.
My eyes wandered around the room until they found Nancy sitting in a chair next to the bed, looking exhausted but alert. When she realized I was awake, her eyes shone with a relief that contrasted with the weight she seemed to carry.
“Where am I?” My voice came out weak, a barely audible whisper.
Nancy came closer and took my hand, as if to anchor me to reality.
“You’re in the hospital, Rachel. You passed out there, after all…” She paused, seemingly searching for the right words. “It was a horrible situation, but you’re safe now.” Hearing this, flashes of last night came to my mind. The torrential rain, Vincenzo’s scream against the sky, and Veronica’s desolate expression before she was handcuffed. I felt my heart race, and instinctively sat up in bed, ignoring the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm me again.
“Veronica... Where is she?” I asked, my urgent tone betraying the fear that was still latent.
Nancy placed her hands on my shoulders, trying to calm me.
“She’s in jail, Rachel. You don’t have to worry about her now. Finally, this is over.”
My shoulders relaxed a little, but the relief was brief. Other questions arose, each one heavier than the last.
“And Vincenzo? Where is he?” I asked, my voice shaking. The idea of not knowing his whereabouts was unbearable.
Nancy hesitated before answering, her gaze drifting to her own hands for a moment.
“He’s in jail too, Rachel. Because of his past in the mafia.” It was something he knew could happen, especially after everything that had happened yesterday.
The news hit me like a punch in the stomach. Vincenzo, the man who had saved me and who, in a way, had become my anchor in the midst of the chaos, was now locked up. It was unfair. It was unbearable.
“I need to see him.” My voice was firm, even though I was far from feeling strong. “I can’t stay here knowing he’s locked up.”
Nancy frowned, clearly worried about me.
“Rachel, you need to rest. Your body has been through a lot. Vincenzo isn’t going anywhere for now. You need to recover before you do anything.”
I shook my head, refusing to accept that.
“I can’t rest, Nancy. How am I going to be able to close my eyes knowing he’s there? And there’s more…” I put my hand on my forehead, trying to organize my chaotic thoughts. “Veronica said something yesterday—something I thought I was hallucinating, but now it feels too real to ignore.” Nancy tilted her head, curious and wary. “What?” I swallowed hard before speaking, my words coming out hesitantly. “She said Vincenzo has a child with her. That she’s been hiding it for years.” Nancy’s eyes widened, the surprise clear on her face. “A child? Are you sure she said that?” I nodded slowly, the memory of Veronica’s words still fresh in my mind. “She sounded so sure. And now I can’t stop thinking about it. If it’s true, where is that child? And what will happen to her now?” Nancy sighed, crossing her arms as she thought. “The cops are questioning Veronica. I’m sure they’ll find out where the child is. They’ll bring her here and decide what to do next. That’s all I’ve heard so far.” My mind was racing. It was too much information to process, and each piece seemed more disjointed than the last. I closed my eyes for a moment, Trying to take a deep breath and find some calm.
“And Vincenzo? How is he?” I asked, dreading the answer.
Nancy hesitated again, as if weighing her words before speaking.
“He hasn’t said a word since last night. Not even to the police. He’s been… distant, which is never a good sign from him.”
The worry intensified inside me. I knew Vincenzo well enough to know that his silence was more dangerous than any outburst of anger. He was closing himself off, and that scared me more than anything else.
Nancy brought me a tray of food, encouraging me to eat something to regain my energy. Despite my lack of appetite, I forced myself to grab a piece of bread and a glass of juice. I needed to be strong, both physically and mentally, to face what was to come.
As I chewed slowly, two police officers entered the room. They looked serious, as if they carried an invisible weight on their shoulders.
“Miss Rachel, we need to talk to you.” If you’re in condition, of course.” One of them’s voices was firm but gentle, as if he was trying not to scare me. I glanced at Nancy, who was watching me with a mixture of concern and encouragement. I nodded slightly, indicating that they could come in. “Okay. You can come in.” The officers approached, one of them pulling up a chair to sit next to me while the other remained standing. The air in the room felt heavier, charged with anticipation and tension. “We understand that you’ve been through a traumatic experience, but we need your help to clarify some points about what happened yesterday. This is important to our investigation.” I nodded again, even though my heart was racing. I was ready to answer, even though my mind was still in chaos. I didn’t know what they would ask, but I knew I had to do my part to make sure this all finally came to an end.
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