Chapter 13
After leaving that day, Rachel stayed for a day at her flight’s original destination, and the next day she headed to another place–the very place she had originally chosen to stay with Wendy.
Once she arrived, she slept as if the world had turned upside down, only waking to eat, and if she didn’t wake, she didn’t eat at all.
She hadn’t lived such an unhealthy routine in a long time. In the past, Benjamin had always kept her in check, but now she could do as she pleased.
After Rachel had slept her fill, she took the necklace she had managed to save and went to the seaside. There was still a trace of ashes inside the necklace, and she threw it into the sea along with the ashes.
“Mom, I’m sorry. I couldn’t even keep your ashes safe. It’s my fault, I’m useless. You were trapped in prison for over a decade, but now I’m setting you free in the sea. From now on, you’ll always be free.”
Her voice was still hoarse, and a single tear slid down from the corner of her eye.
The sea breeze was as gentle as a pair of hands caressing her check, blowing away that tear for her.
Rachel touched her cheek, lowered her head and smiled softly, her voice barely audible: “I will be free too.”
It had been a week since her last surgery, but her throat still hadn’t improved at all. Speaking was not only painful, but her voice was unbearably hoarse.
Chapter 13
Rachel had become resigned about her throat, thinking with a hint of self- abandonment, “So be it, I won’t treat it anymore. After all, it doesn’t affect my daily life.”
So she lived here in a somewhat hollow state for a while. One evening, while out for a walk, she suddenly came across a band performing by the roadside. Unconsciously, she stopped and watched the entire show.
After a song ended, the singer suddenly noticed her and walked toward her step by step, handing her the microphone: “Would this audience member like to come up and sing a song?”
Rachel was taken aback and quickly waved her hand, but the person still didn’t give up, because they could tell she really loved singing.
With no other choice, Rachel finally spoke: “My throat is damaged, I can’t sing anymore.”
The band member noticed that she said she couldn’t sing anymore, not that she couldn’t sing at all, and smiled encouragingly: “Even though your throat is damaged, I bet you used to sing beautifully. Don’t give up, it can definitely be healed.”
Watching her walk away, Rachel paused for a moment, touched her own. throat, and returned to the hotel in silence.
After thinking it over for a whole night, she decided to get her throat treated, because she realized she still loved singing and didn’t want to give up on that dream.
Rachel registered at the nearest hospital, underwent a series of
examinations, and Dr. Zachary Lozano looked at her scans, his brows furrowed tightly.
“Your vocal cords don’t look like they were damaged externally. It seems
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Chapter 13
more like they were damaged after being cut open.”
As terrifying as those words were, they were the truth. Rachel had already realized that Angelina had done it on purpose that day, and she remained
silent.
Zachary didn’t press further, regretfully setting down the scans: “The damage is very severe. We can’t treat it here.”
Before Rachel could feel disappointed, the doctor added, “But I know a friend who specializes in this field. He might have a way. However, he’s in another country. If you don’t mind the trouble, you can go find him.”
As he spoke, Zachary took out a business card with an address from the drawer. The name on it read Jonathan Platt.
Rachel took it and thanked him.
After returning, she thought it over for another night and finally decided to go. She had nothing left to hold her back; anywhere could be home.
On the day before she was to leave, she saw Benjamin downstairs. His eyes were red, and he looked utterly haggard.
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