The steady beep... beep of the machines filled the VIP hospital room, the sound reverberating in the quiet like a relentless reminder of Ian’s fragile state. The contrast of the gigantic man, who appeared vulnerable, was heart-wrenching, especially for Geneva, who had seen this exact scene more times than she would care for in her lifetime. Why was Ian always in this state?
’What have I done wrong to deserve this?’ Geneva lamented to herself as she sat at the edge of her chair, tears streaming down her cheeks, a silent testament to the exhaustion and heartache that had taken root in her soul.
The first time was when her son had locked himself up in his room from heartache; then he had fallen unconscious on a similar occasion, and then. At this moment, Geneva did not make any connection to Shelby or any other issues. It would be only later that this might come up for her.
The ever-composed Geneva had abandoned all etiquette with the distress. Her hands trembled as she clutched a small white handkerchief, her lips moving in a prayer only she could hear.
Across the room, Alex stood grim-faced, his voice low as he conferred with the doctor.
"I’m sorry, Chairman, we can’t find anything with Master Ian...."
"What do you mean that you cannot find anything wrong with him? Even I can see how pale he looks, so why can’t you, trained medical personnel, find anything wrong with him? Why would a grownup healthy man just collapse for nothing?"
The weight of unspoken fears hung heavy in the air between them, his stoic demeanour barely concealing the storm churning beneath. The doctor wiped an invincible sweat from his hairline as did all the other medical personnel in the room.
Even though they were all the best of the best, none of them nor their tests could pinpoint what the issue was with Ian. One could say that, in the whole room, only one person knew, but even he was unsure.
Brad and Currey hovered near the door, their solemn expressions mirroring the tension in the room. But beneath Brad’s downcast gaze, his mind churned with conflicted thoughts. Sadness clung to him, but so did an undeniable pang of underlying resentment.
’Why now? Why me? Why is nature pushing me toward the role that he had always dreaded? Why is Ian doing this to me?’
Even though Brad knew that his thoughts were unfair to Ian, he really felt that he was being forced into the management position. It was now his burden to step into Ian’s shoes. This was because Brad knew that, this time, his father had already retired and would not shoulder the company’s burden.
Besides, there was also the issue of his sister-in-law. The thought weighed heavily, not because he didn’t care, but because he had never wanted this path. Yet, as his eyes lingered on Ian’s unmoving form, he realized there was no escaping it. It wasn’t just duty—it was family. And whether he was ready or not, it was time to step up.
The two stepped out and Brad talked in hush tones with Currey. For once, even Currey was surprised at what he was being asked.
Just outside the room stood Suzie and Albert’s daughter,
"We’re sorry for your loss. As Madam Geneva had previously said, Albert was family, which also makes you one. We know that he is the only person that you have in this life. With him gone, all expenses related to the burial and your life will be borne by us...."
The girl dropped to her knees in tears,
"Thank you so much, Miss Suzie!" She felt so grateful, sad and regretful at the same. She was that they would do that much for her, sad that her father was gone and regretful that she had such bad thoughts against her father’s employers.
Suzie bent down and helped her up, "You don’t need to do anything. It’s what your father would have liked."
The girl wiped her tears, and Suzie let her go with a hug and a tap on the back. Suzie held her front well, however, she was dying on the inside. It had been about five hours since the accident and no word had been heard from her mistress. The only consolation that Suzie had was that Murray might be with Shelby since he was also missing. With Murray by her side, Suzie knew that Shelby was in good hands.
She twisted her hands nervously, and her one reached out to wring her pigtails nervously. This was because Suzie was one of the few people around who understood Shelby’s link to Ian. Even though she did not know the full details, the fact that Ian had collapsed just after this accident was making her feel like she was on pins and needles.
’I hope it’s not like before and the mistress is okay!’ Suzie thought but she had no confidence. With each passing second, her anxiousness rose, but she knew that she had to keep her cool for the estate, and the children had to be cared for.
’Miss is counting on me for this, and I cannot let her down!’
A few minutes later, the door pushed open and Geneva as well as Alex walked out, their faces grim.
"Take us to Ava!" Alex had not addressed anyone in particular but Currey bowed and led the way out of the place. By some unspoken agreement, they all felt that maybe, Ava was the person who could give them answers to where Shelby was as she was the last one to see her. The walk to the theatre where Ava was, remained solem and tense, however, just as they got there, the words,
"...despite the extent of the injuries, she and the baby are okay!"
For a heartbeat, silence hung in the air. Then, a wide grin broke across the Geneva’s face, chasing away the shadows of despair. She walked briskly forward and held the doctor’s hands." You mean to tell me," she began, her voice rising in delight,
"Y-es ma’am.... Are you the girl’s family?"
However, Geneva had dropped his hands and turned to the haggard-looking Rocky.
"... You guys did what my useless son couldn’t?"
Geneva hugged Rocky tightly and had to go on her tiptoe to do that.
"You’ve made me the happiest grandma-to-be on earth!"
’Grandma?’ Rocky was still puzzled and did not know what to do... Geneva practically beamed, tapping Rocky’s back with all the enthusiasm that she could muster. She was bustling with genuine excitement.
But as her joyous laughter filled the hallways in which they stood, Brad, who had been lingering at the back, subtly shrank into the back of the small crowd. He angled his body slightly as if willing himself invisible, his shoulders stiff with apprehension.
Brad knew his mother too well. Her elation was sure to pivot into a sharp jab at him, with Ian out of the picture. At the same time, he was slightly happy for this news, for it would be the only thing to lift his mother’s mood. And sure enough, Geneva’s eyes momentarily darted in his direction. He tensed, pre-emptively bracing himself for the inevitable comparison.