Chapter 143: CARL WAS AWAKE
In her solitude, Laurel turned to alcohol, drinking day and night in an attempt to numb the overwhelming feelings.
She didn’t want to appear miserable in front of anyone, but now when no one was around her, she felt free to succumb to her despair.
Without Hazel and other people surrounding her, here, away from everyone, she could drink until she blacked out.
The cycle was painfully simple: drink, pass out, and when she woke up, do it all over again. It was a temporary relief, a way to escape the agony even if it was only for a little while.
On the other hand, Carl finally stirred awake after a week of unconsciousness. The first sight he registered was his mother, who sat on the chair next to his bed. Her expression was a mixture of relief and worry.
For several days, Carl drifted in and out of consciousness, disoriented and unaware of the time passing, until a week later, when he finally opened his eyes, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings; the first person he saw was his mother, Amelia.
She had been there day and night, embodying the role of a devoted mother while simultaneously trying to persuade James to enroll Carl in rehab.
James, however, stood firm against the idea.
’I want to talk about it with Carl first before any decisions are made,’ he insisted, unwilling to rush the process.
’What you feel for Laurel is only temporary. You might feel guilty, but that’s not love,’ she pressed.
In addition to that, Amelia was urging James to move on from Laurel completely. She tried to persuade him to sign the divorce papers, insisting that they could build a family together.