Et si tu n'existais pas - Lance Stroll (III)

2 - DÉSESPOIR

désespoir

a profound sense of hopelessness, where someone feels overwhelmed by the belief that a situation is without any positive resolution or escape. In moments of désespoir, people often experience intense emotional pain, sorrow, and a sense of being lost or trapped without hope.

Narrator's POV:

The hospital room was filled with a loud silence, only interrupted by the steady beeping of the machines that were keeping Lance alive. Lance lay motionless on the hospital bed, his face bruised, burned but also peaceful at the same time. One would think he was just sleeping, but in reality, he was fighting for his life. There were multiple tubes and wires that connected him to machines, keeping a close eye on him and monitoring every single statistic that could help the doctors to give him the best treatment possible. For Lance's parents, Lawrence and Claire-Ann Stroll, this room had become a whole world, in which they were trapped. It had become a place where time moved slow and fast at the same time, where hope and enormous fear met each other, creating a unique atmosphere.

Claire-Ann sat close to her son, her hands gently holding his, as if she was trying to keep him with them by clinching onto him, scared that he would slip away. Her eyes were red from sleepless nights and the many tears that had flowed. In this moment, she was nothing but his mother. She was powerless, and that made her even more sad. She couldn't save her child, even with the best possible will on earth.

Lawrence, on the other hand, was like a tsunami approaching the coast. He paced restlessly, and constantly, as if he was a ticking time bomb. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white. He walked from the window to the other side of the room. Every once in a while he stopped to look at his son, but the sadness in his eyes quickly twisted into anger. He radiated an intense unease and anger that could be seen from miles away. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke up, his voice a low murmur that ended the loud silence that had taken over the room.

"He was distracted. I know it." Lawrence's voice was harsh, almost broken, yet laced with a bitter venom that has never been there before. "If he hadn't lost his complete mind over... her... he would've been focused on the race." He said, his fists clenching even tighter.

Claire-Ann's grip on Lance's hand tightened while she slowly looked down. She tried her absolute best not to roll her eyes at her husband's behavior. her voice soft but steady. "Lawrence, please. This isn't the time to blame anyone, let alone Amelia. She isn't here because she probably feels extremely guilty. And apart from that, may I kindly remind you that after all they broke up because you wanted that?" she said, her voice calm to not make her husband even more angry than he already was.

Lawrence stopped his pacing, his brow furrowed as he looked down at her, frustration and anger clearly visible on his face. "You didn't see him out there on the track. But I did. He was different.I'm telling you! He was unsteady. His mind wasn't where it needed to be. I've seen him drive so many races, and never he drove like this."

"Then let it be his fault, not hers," Claire-Ann replied, finally turning her head to meet her husband's eyes. "Lawrence, can we please focus on Lance? Not the race, not Amelia, not what could've or should've happened. He needs us now, focused on him and on his recovery." She said, her voice barely louder than a whisper.

Lawrence exhaled sharply. "I don't understand how can you just sit there! Doesn't it make you angry? Thinking that he might have thrown everything away... for her? See, this is exactly why I wanted them to break up, she only distracts him. And now we all know what happens if a stupid girl consumes his mind. This is absolutely ridiculous!" Lawrence yelled, his anger rising by the minute.