Across Silent Rivers We Carry Echoes Of Forgotten Tomorrows by Landon Creed Hale `14 Summary
In “Across Silent Rivers We Carry Echoes Of Forgotten Tomorrows,” Evander is deeply engrossed in his work when he receives an urgent call from his assistant, Randy, about his son Mervin’s alarming fever. The gravity of the situation hits Evander hard, especially when he learns that the family doctor was not called promptly due to Penelope’s decision to attend a party, dismissing Mervin’s condition as minor. This news fills Evander with dread and guilt, as he reflects on his late wife Natasha’s intuitive care for their children, contrasting sharply with Penelope’s negligence.
Upon arriving home, Evander finds Mervin in distress, and the family doctor expresses concern over the delay in treatment. Evander’s frustration grows when he learns that Penelope is still at the party, and when he finally reaches her, her nonchalance only intensifies his anger. Despite her eventual return, Evander notices her carefree demeanor and the alcohol on her breath, leading to a confrontation where he struggles between his feelings for her and the well-being of his son.
As the night progresses, Mervin’s health begins to improve, but just as relief washes over Evander, he receives another urgent call requiring his attention at work. He asks Penelope to watch over Mervin, but upon returning to grab his keys, he overhears a disturbing exchange between Penelope and Mervin, where she threatens him. This revelation shatters Evander’s perception of Penelope, leading to an explosive confrontation where he realizes her true nature and the danger she poses to his children.
In a moment of clarity and protective instinct, Evander expels Penelope from their home, his heart heavy with the realization of her cruelty. As he comforts Mervin and his daughter Ashley, both yearning for their mother, Evander is engulfed in regret for his past failures as a father. The story concludes with Evander grappling with the emotional turmoil of loss and the weight of his decisions, as he seeks to reassure his children in the absence of their mother.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
**Across Silent Rivers We Carry Echoes Of Forgotten Tomorrows by Landon Creed Hale `14**
In the dim light of his office, Evander was meticulously sifting through an array of documents, his brow furrowed in concentration. The rhythmic vibration of his phone broke the silence, drawing his attention. It was Randy calling, and the urgency in his voice was palpable.
“Sir, Mr. Mervin is running a fever of 39.5 degrees Celsius. We’re quite concerned about his condition…”
A deep frown etched itself onto Evander’s face as a sense of dread washed over him. “Did you manage to contact the doctor?” he asked, his voice steady yet tinged with worry.
“We did, but Ms. Holyfield mentioned it wasn’t urgent… She went out to a party,” Randy replied hesitantly, his tone betraying a hint of disbelief.
“What?” The shock in Evander’s voice was unmistakable, his expression shifting from concentration to alarm. “I’m coming back right away. Ensure the family doctor sees him first.”
As he navigated the rain-soaked streets on his way home, each drop seemed to echo his rising anxiety. Upon entering, he found Mervin, his small frame trembling violently, the heat radiating from his body a stark contrast to the chill in the air.
The family doctor was already there, his face a mask of concern as he carefully administered an IV.
“How did it escalate to this point?” Evander’s voice was laced with desperation.
“Mr. Palmer, the child’s high fever has persisted for four hours now. Delaying treatment any longer could lead to pneumonia,” the doctor replied, his tone quiet but heavy with gravity. “His constitution is weak. He should have received care sooner.”
A sharp pang of guilt tightened around Evander’s heart, constricting his chest. Memories of Natasha flooded his mind—how she always seemed to know when something was amiss with the children, often without needing a thermometer.
“Where’s Penelope? Why haven’t I seen her?” he demanded, his voice rising with frustration.
Randy hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the answer. “Ms. Holyfield said… it was merely a minor cold. She went to Mrs. Lopez’s birthday party, claiming it was difficult to decline…”
Fury bubbled within Evander as he pulled out his phone, dialing Penelope’s number with a sense of urgency. After several rings, she finally answered, her voice a mix of laughter and music echoing in the background.
“Evan?” Penelope sounded pleasantly tipsy, oblivious to the turmoil unfolding at home.
“Mervin has a fever nearing 40 degrees Celsius. Where are you?” Evander’s tone was sharp, cutting through her carefree demeanor.
“Oh… I’ll come back right now!” Panic seeped into her voice as she sensed his irritation. “I’m so sorry, Evan, I thought it was just a cold… I’m on my way.”
An hour later, Penelope rushed through the door, still clad in her evening gown, her makeup untouched despite the chaos.
With reddened eyes, she flung herself in front of Evander, putting on a theatrical display of remorse. “Evan, I truly had no idea Vinnie was this ill…”
But as Evander caught sight of her immaculate makeup and detected the faint scent of alcohol on her, irritation flared within him like a wildfire.
Yet, as he looked at the woman he once cherished, his resolve began to waver. “Let it slide this time. Just be more vigilant in the future,” he said, his voice softening against his better judgment.
As the night wore on, Mervin’s fever finally showed signs of subsiding. Just as relief began to wash over Evander, his phone rang again—an urgent call from his assistant.
“Mr. Palmer, there’s an emergency at the company that requires your immediate attention.”
Evander glanced at his sleeping son, torn between duty and parental instinct. “Penny, can you keep an eye on him for now? I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Penelope nodded, her expression gentle and reassuring. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Vinnie.”
He hurried out, but at the hospital entrance, he suddenly realized he had left his car keys behind. Turning back, he was met with Penelope’s sharp voice slicing through the stillness of the room. “You brat, stop pretending! You made me leave my party early!”
Mervin’s weak, tearful voice trembled in response, “I’m sorry, Penny… I didn’t mean to…”
“I’m warning you, don’t play the victim in front of your father!” Penelope’s tone was icy, her words dripping with disdain.
“If you utter one more wrong word, just see what happens to you!”
“I… I won’t say anything…” Mervin sobbed, his small body shaking with fear. “I’ll behave… Please don’t hit me…”
“Hmph, you better. Just like your wretched mother, you…”
Evander’s heart sank as he listened from outside the door, the image he had cherished of Penelope shattering into a million pieces.
With a surge of anger, he flung the door open.
Penelope turned, her eyes widening in shock as they locked onto Evander’s furious gaze.
“E… Evan…” Her face drained of color, she stammered, “Please let me explain… I was just…”
But Evander was already across the room, his hand connecting sharply with her face.
She stumbled back against the wall, her carefully styled hair falling out of place.
“So this is your true nature as their devoted caretaker? If you can strike and intimidate him today, what might you be capable of tomorrow? Me?”
“Leave!” Evander’s voice was cold and final. “Gather your belongings and vacate my home. I never want to see you again.”
Penelope pressed a trembling hand to her cheek, tears mingling with her smudged makeup. “Evan, I was just overwhelmed with concern… I truly care for these children… I’ll prove myself, I promise.”
“Care?” Evander’s laughter was bitter, laced with disbelief. “You think this abuse is an expression of care?”
He turned his attention back to Mervin’s bed, where the child had curled into a small, terrified ball, his face streaked with tears.
Evander’s heart ached painfully at the sight. How could he have been so blind to his children’s suffering?
“Daddy…” Mervin reached out with a trembling hand, his eyes wide and fearful. “I’ve been wrong… I’ll listen to Penny. Please don’t make me leave…”
Evander knelt beside the bed, grasping his son’s feverish hand tightly. “No. The fault lies with me.”
He glanced back at Penelope, disgust evident in his eyes, forcing her to retreat.
“I never imagined you capable of such cruelty.”
As she opened her mouth to speak again, Evander activated the call system. “Security. Remove this woman from the premises immediately.”
When Penelope’s protests faded down the corridor, Evander sank wearily into a chair beside the hospital bed.
Mervin timidly tugged at his sleeve, tears spilling down his cheeks. “Daddy… I want Mommy. Can you bring her home?”
Evander’s throat tightened painfully as he fought back his own emotions.
He recalled Natasha’s determined departure and his own past indifference and cruelty. A deep ache spread through his chest, a reminder of all he had lost.
“Daddy…” Ashley had awakened, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she approached. “I miss Mommy too. When will she come back to us?”
Evander wrapped his arms around both children, feeling utterly at a loss for words. The bitter regret he carried weighed heavily upon him, a burden he could neither articulate nor escape.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the tumultuous night, Evander sat enveloped in a silence that felt both heavy and hollow. The echoes of his children’s cries reverberated in his mind, mingling with the sharp sting of betrayal he felt towards Penelope. With her departure, a fragile sense of relief washed over him, yet it was quickly overshadowed by the realization of the wounds that had been inflicted upon Mervin and Ashley. The pain of their longing for their mother was palpable, a reminder of the void that Natasha’s absence had created. Evander’s heart ached as he recognized the consequences of his past negligence; the innocence of his children had been threatened, and the weight of his responsibility felt unbearably heavy.
As dawn broke, illuminating the hospital room with a soft glow, Evander resolved to confront his failures head-on. No longer would he allow the shadows of his choices to dictate the lives of his children. He held Mervin and Ashley close, vowing to be the father they deserved—one who would protect them fiercely and ensure their well-being above all else. In that moment of clarity, Evander understood that love was not just a feeling; it was an active choice, a commitment to nurture and shield those he cherished from harm. As he looked into their tear-streaked faces, he felt a flicker of hope ignite within him, a promise to carry their echoes of forgotten tomorrows into a brighter, more compassionate future.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the upcoming chapter of *Across Silent Rivers We Carry Echoes Of Forgotten Tomorrows*, readers can expect a tumultuous exploration of Evander’s emotional turmoil as he grapples with the aftermath of his confrontation with Penelope. The tension in the household will escalate, forcing Evander to confront not only his own failings but also the haunting absence of Natasha. As he seeks to mend the fragile bonds with his children, he will be faced with difficult decisions that challenge his role as a father. The shadows of regret and the weight of responsibility will loom large, compelling him to question whether he can truly protect Mervin and Ashley from the scars of their past.
Moreover, the chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of Evander and Penelope’s relationship, revealing hidden layers of resentment and longing. As Penelope attempts to justify her actions and prove her worth, the fragile facade of her character will begin to crack, exposing the raw vulnerabilities beneath. The reader will be left on edge, wondering if Evander will succumb to the remnants of their shared history or if he will find the strength to forge a new path for himself and his children. With the stakes higher than ever, the emotional stakes will reach a boiling point, leaving readers eager to see how Evander navigates this treacherous landscape of love, loss, and redemption.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
