Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 62
The coming months proved to be of mixed blessings. Ella was in good hands with Renate, which was a source of great relief for Edward. However, he could hardly take comfort in it as Carmen seemed to slide deeper and deeper within herself.
Her lukewarm agreement to appointing a new caregiver for Ella soured quickly. The more it became evident that she wouldn't be able to get rid of Renate with the same ease as she did Nina and Jessica, the more she lashed out against Edward for undermining her wishes.
Everyday, her anger and frustration pursued newer avenues to manifest. Beginning with refusal to take medication, advancing onto food - then both. Edward put his foot down; however much he wanted to appease Carmen, he couldn't - wouldn't- compromise Ella's safety and well-being to accomplish that.
Carmen grew progressively more sullen and withdrawn. His words of comfort were ignored, his touches were repelled. The eroding shield of Edward's patience gathered more dents and chinks with every passing day.
Eventually there came a time when Edward himself became stoic and indifferent. Carmen's temper tantrums turned more and more volatile, yet he found himself to be concerned about them less and less.
In his mind he still knew that Carmen couldn't be held responsible for her actions. That she was just as much a prisoner of the circumstances as he was, and that to a large part he carried the blame that led them to their predicament. But his sense of empathy dulled a little each time he had to wake up during the night to tend to Ella because his wife simply wouldn't, or come home after a twelve-hour shift to find that Carmen had yet again shattered every single mirror in the house because she couldn't bring herself to look at her own reflection.
He couldn't understand why Carmen, in all appearances, wasn't even trying to get better. He was doing his best, wasn't he? He gave her nearly everything she demanded, catered to almost all of her whims. He did all he could to ensure Carmen got professional help; he took on the role of the only functional parent to their daughter to relieve Carmen of the added stress. Why couldn't she at least make a token gesture to meet him half way?
However, in spite of the general tepid nature of their relationship, he had never lashed back at Carmen verbally, nor did he ever indulge in frivolous name calling during their fights. Instead, he staved off Carmen's attacks with pursed lips and a resilient silence.
Perhaps because he sensed that Carmen resented his indifference far more than him opposing her openly.
Perhaps because in a small way he wanted Carmen to taste the bitter medicine he was forced to swallow everyday.
The status quo could not have lasted forever.
Perhaps Edward knew that as well. Although he couldn't have guessed how his life would come to a screeching halt in the least expected way.
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.