Chapter 2  Crossroads of Consequences

Eleanor's movements were determined on that stormy night, but she was dragged down by her emotional turmoil. Rain poured relentlessly from the sky, soaking her to the bone as she walked alone on the muddy roads. Her body shivered strongly from the cold and rain, but she didn't care; her mind was preoccupied with the awful truth she had just discovered. Eleanor had come to New York as an eighteen-year-old with hopes for a peaceful life. Her quest had taken her to a job at a prominent restaurant, where her culinary skills had landed her a spot in the kitchen. She had worked hard for the past year, not only refining her cooking skills but also becoming madly in love with David, whom she had thought would be her partner in creating a future in the city of dreams. However, that night destroyed her illusions. She'd discovered the horrible truth that David had been unfaithful, and the storm raging around her seemed to reflect the tempest within her heart. The city, which had once seemed so promising, now felt cold and cruel. Eleanor continued to walk through the storm, her tears mingling with the raindrops, wondering how her life had taken such a cruel turn. Eleanor's mind was so muddled with grief and sadness that she had lost track of her surroundings. As she continued going down the road, oblivious to her surroundings, the sound of a screaming horn broke through her trance. Her heart raced, and in an instant of panic, she closed her eyes and let out a piercing scream. The world seemed to stop for an agonizing second, and then she felt the rush of wind as a car turned to miss her path. The car altered direction just before Eleanor's walking path and came to a screeching halt just a few feet away from her. Eleanor sank onto the rain-soaked road, her body shaking from shock. She lay there, her heart still racing from the close call with a car, raindrops mixed with the tears on her cheeks. For a little while, she was regretting the certainty that she was alive. However, the car's driver, evidently upset and angry, hopped out and approached Eleanor with a scowl. He spent no time yelling at her in rage. "You're an idiot! You should drink enough to control yourself!" Eleanor glanced up at the stranger, her emotions still raw from the previous encounters. She recognized her actions had been foolish and risky, but the driver's harsh words hurt. In her vulnerable state, his rage felt like another blow, and she lacked the strength to retaliate. She remained on the damp road, rain pouring down, as the driver continued to lash out at her. She eventually passed out as a result of her rage, trauma, and sadness. The driver's fury turned to concern. Rushing to her side, he gently lifted her arm, which sank limply to the ground. Worry engraved on his face, he sat alongside her and softly tapped her cheeks, attempting to wake her from her unconscious state. Eleanor remained motionless, her eyes closed. Frustration welled up inside the stranger as he realized his efforts to wake her were futile. He let out an annoyed curse. "Damn." With a surge of determination, he grabbed Eleanor into his arms, cradling her tenderly, and dashed to his car. He gently placed her in the backseat, secured her, and rushed off toward the hospital. The rain-soaked streets blurred by as he traveled through the stormy night, his main focus being bringing Eleanor the medical assistance she needed. As the stranger drove through the stormy night to the hospital, a flurry of emotions swept through his mind. He had been living a reckless and chaotic lifestyle, which had caused him to become separated from his filthy rich family. Nonetheless, he has just gone on a journey of redemption, making serious efforts to correct his previous sins and mend all relationships he had harmed. Meeting Eleanor unexpectedly derailed his plans for a fresh start. He couldn't help but feel like fate was playing a cruel joke on him. This incident happened right when he was starting to recover control of his life and make amends. When the stranger arrived at the hospital, he rushed Eleanor to the ER. He told the counter that he had discovered her unconscious on the pavement. After providing the necessary information, he sat in the hospital's waiting room, his worry over Eleanor's condition gnawing at him. The storm outside raged on, mirroring the turbulence in his mind. His phone started ringing just as he was getting comfortable in the uncomfortable hospital chair. He grabbed it quickly, without looking at the screen first. "I swear it was not my fault," the stranger said earnestly, his voice grasping with anxiety. "She mysteriously just appeared in front of my car." The heavy voice on the other end of the line had a severe authority that Lucas was all too familiar with. It was the voice of a family member, someone who had been witnessing his irresponsible lifestyle for years. As it addressed him, the voice sounded disappointed and frustrated. "Just remember, Lucas," the voice continued in a heavy tone, "I don't want the family name dragged into any kind of difficulties because of you. I'm tired of your reckless attitude and continuously having to save you from danger. Now you're 25, and if you can't accept responsibility for your acts, please don't disrupt our tranquility any longer." "But dad…" The call ended abruptly, leaving Lucas to consider the significance of the message he had just received. It served as a vivid reminder of the consequences of his previous actions, as well as the pressure he felt to change his ways and meet his family's expectations. Lucas' heart raced at the news. He had been nervously waiting in the hospital waiting area for a positive report on Eleanor's status. The hospital personnel had finally called his name, so he rose. "Yeah, it's me," Lucas said with haste as he approached the hospital staff member who had brought the news. The service worker said, "Your patient has regained consciousness." Relief washed over Lucas as he heard those words. He had told everyone that he had found Eleanor unconscious on the sidewalk, a story he had fabricated to avoid getting further entangled in potential legal issues. Now that Eleanor was awake, he hoped she would corroborate his story, sparing him from any further involvement in the police case.