A couple of minutes later David arrived at the nursing home and went inside the private ICU section. He found Raymond lying on the bed, just like before but without any respiratory assistance. Two nurses and a doctor was on stand by next to him, constantly monitoring his vitals.

Then looking at the doctor he asked,

"Now he can breathe on his own?"

"Yes, he did. It was a bit painful for him initially, so we have injected some sedatives. So he will wake up in some time. Don't worry about it".

Taking a deep breath, David walked up to Sebastian and asked,

"Did he talk or anything?"

"No".

"Did he see you?"

Taking a deep breath, Sebastian answered,

"No".

David touched his forehead all worried and then asked,

"At least now can I tell that poor girl. She again went to his grave today morning. Why are you punishing her like this for the last one and a half year? Why not tell her at least now?"

"Tell her? Are you kidding me, David?"

"My son is in this condition because of her. So if you think I am going to repeat the same mistake by telling her about him, then you are wrong".

"I understand, but it was all because of Vikram and not because of her to be precise. She loved him wholeheartedly, with complete devotion and I think you know that. She has struggled a lot and I think you should put an end to her suffering. I think she has the right to know about it."

"Right to know? My son is not a property on which she can claim a right on. She knew how disastrous her association was, but she still kept in touch. What was the purpose behind that? Instead of sending him behind bars, she chose to keep the devil unchained. So what does that speak about her?"

"But the association was started by Raymond".

"And who brought in that association? That scum girl. I don't even want her shadow to fall over my son again".

"But Vikram is a changed man now. He has changed his ways of living. You can trust me on that. He has not only supported Akira in strengthening Raymond's company but also supported Katherine as well for acquiring land for her new clinic. They are all functioning well as a close-knit group. Raymond's absence has changed everyone".

"The answer is still no David".

All exhausted, David looked towards Conrad, at least expecting him to understand.

"Don't look at me, David. Sebastian's decision is final here", saying that Conrad took out his mobile phone and then got busy with it.

"Oh looks like I gotta go", saying that Conrad got up and was about to leave but then he turned back and said,

"Take care of my son Sebastian. I am trusting you for that".

And then he left the room, without even waiting for his response.

Seeing him leave Sebastian mumbled,

"When have I not taken care of him".

David then came forward and sat on the couch at the same place as Conrad was sitting. They had to wait for a few hours for him to wake up, and since Sebastian didn't want to show his face to him, he had called David. A familiar trusted face for his son.

David scanned through his phone for a couple of minutes and then asked again,

"Will you inform Katherine about it?"

"No".

"What is the problem in telling your own daughter? At least she needs to know that her brother is ok".

"That's because once I tell her, no matter what logic I give her, she will still tell everything to Akira and I don't want any part of it."

"I don't even want the shadow of that girl to fall on my son".