Chapter 119

After returning from Annecy, France, Drake had been diagnosed with severe depression and admitted to hospital for treatment. During his stay, many people came to visit him. But never Kimberly. Each time the door to his room opened, Drake would hold his breath in nervous anticipation, staring hopefully at the entrance. But every time, his hopes were dashed, and he would lower his eyes and slump his shoulders in disappointment. From dawn until dusk, he waited, but the one person he longed to see never came.

Drake’s heart ached unbearably. He thought in despair that his Kimberly truly would never return to him. Kimberly, without you, what’s the point of living?

At dinnertime, Margaret arrived with a care worker to bring Drake his meal. The moment she pushed open the door, Margaret let out a piercing scream, dropping the insulated food container and rushing forward. “Drake!” Margaret grabbed Drake’s arm. “Drake, what are you doing? Stop it right now! Oh my God, no!”

When she had entered, she’d seen Drake gripping a fruit knife, slashing at his wrist! Margaret wept uncontrollably. “What are you thinking? Why would you do something so crazy? What would I do without you? Oh God, Drake, please…”

Blood had already soaked the bedsheets. Drake had made a deep gash across his wrist, and blood was flowing freely. Drake’s eyes were vacant, his expression blank. He hadn’t registered a single word Margaret had said. His mind was filled with only one thought: Kimberly didn’t want him anymore. Kimberly would never come back. The pain made it difficult to breathe. He felt utterly hopeless, as though life held no meaning. It hurts so much, Kimberly. My heart is in agony.

The care worker was terrified and ran out into the corridor, shouting for help. Doctors and nurses quickly arrived. Drake was rushed to the emergency room. Margaret collapsed in the corridor, sobbing uncontrollably. “Oh God, this can’t be happening! How could he do this to himself? My poor baby…”

Kimberly received Margaret’s call just as she was leaving the hospital. It was minus five degrees outside. Kimberly had gotten into her car and turned on the heating when her mobile rang, displaying an unknown number. “Hello?”

“Kimberly, it’s Margaret Ashcroft. You need to come to the hospital right away. Drake tried to kill himself because of you. The doctors saved him, but they’re saying he doesn’t want to live. I know I was horrible to you before, and I’m truly sorry, but please help save my son. He’s all I have!”

Kimberly froze. “What do you mean, suicide?” Drake had attempted suicide? Kimberly couldn’t comprehend what she was hearing. She simply couldn’t associate the word “suicide” with Drake. Someone like him would never attempt suicide.

Margaret was sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath. “Did Drake come to see you last night?” Margaret managed to ask, trying to control her crying. “Yes.” More sobbing came through the phone. “He was found collapsed in the snow last night. When I came to see him today, I walked in to find him cutting his wrist open. What happened between you two? What did you say to him? Why would he try to kill himself?”

Kimberly frowned. “I didn’t do anything to him.”

Margaret continued through her tears: “Kimberly, I didn’t know who you really were before. I admit I was shallow and awful to you. I’m so sorry for everything. I’m begging you–please come to the hospital. He’s stable now, but the doctors say he’s given up. He doesn’t want to wake up. Could you please come talk to him? Please?”

“I’m sorry, but this has nothing to do with me.”

Upon hearing Kimberly’s response, Margaret instantly became furious. She raised her voice accusingly: “How can you be so cold? Don’t you have any compassion? Drake tried to kill himself over you, and you won’t even come see him? What kind of person are you?”

Kimberly gave a cold laugh. “I’m cold? Think what you like–I can’t help that.” With that, she refused to waste any more words on Margaret and decisively ended the call.

At the hospital, Drake lay in his bed, and in his semi-conscious state, he thought he heard Kimberly’s voice. Kimberly… Kimberly… He struggled to open his eyes. His vision was filled with the stark white ceiling. A sharp pain emanated from his wrist, and the smells of antiseptic and medication permeated the air. He moved his fingers slightly.

“Drake, thank God you’re awake! Why would you do this to yourself?” Margaret’s eyes were red and swollen from crying, her face puffy and distraught.

Drake spoke with difficulty: “Mom, why are you here? Where’s Kimberly?” He was certain he had just heard Kimberly’s voice. Drake moved his eyes around the room, scanning his surroundings. His father and mother were there, along with Mason, James, and several other friends. Even Sienna, with whom he’d had a massive argument that morning, had come. But the one person he desperately wanted to see was nowhere to be found.

Hearing that Drake’s first words upon waking were to ask about Kimberly, Sienna’s expression turned pained, and she turned away with tears in her eyes.

Drake’s father, Trump Ashcroft, rated him with disappointment: “Trying to kill yourself over a woman? Jesus Christ, what kind of son did I raise?”

“Watch your mouth! Our son nearly died. Are you trying to push him over the edge again?” Margaret glared at her husband with fury. Trump had dark circles under his eyes, clearly the result of several days of worry and lack of sleep. He spoke harshly: “This is what happens when you throw your life away over some woman! It’s pathetic!”

Margaret wouldn’t tolerate this. She fixed her swollen eyes on Trump. “What do you mean, I spoiled him? Isn’t he your son too? Were you ever even around? If anyone failed him as a parent, it’s you!”

Mason quickly intervened: “Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Ashcroft, let’s take it easy. Drake just woke up and needs to rest.”

James agreed: “Yeah, guys, come on. Not now.”

Kimberly’s voice suddenly came from James’s phone. Drake’s expression froze as his gaze locked onto James’s mobile. “Is that Kimberly? Is she calling?” A spark of hope flashed in his lifeless eyes.

James scratched his head awkwardly. “No, sorry man. The doctors said you wouldn’t wake, that you’d lost your will to live. So I thought this might help.” James turned his phone screen toward Drake, revealing a video of Kimberly playing. It was recorded when they had just started dating, on Kimberly’s birthday. At that time, Sienna hadn’t yet returned from abroad, and Drake hadn’t been involved with other women. He had genuinely loved Kimberly then. Kimberly had cared for him too, with eyes only for him. They had been sweetly in love, like any ordinary couple–going on dates, taking photos and videos to document the beautiful moments in their life together.

In the video, Kimberly wore a pretty dress with elegant makeup, holding a birthday cake and smiling sweetly at the camera. “Drake, thank you for celebrating my birthday with me. Today has been really special.” “This is the first time I’ve celebrated my birthday with a boyfriend. It means a lot to me.”

Drake’s voice came from the video: “Kimberly, I’ll be there for every birthday from now on. I promise.”

“I’d like that.”

So the voice he had heard was from the video. Tears streamed uncontrollably down Drake’s face. Three years later, everything had changed. Watching this video now, his heart contracted with excruciating pain.