Chapter 4 Her mother's health

"Yes."

"You need to come to the hospital now. Your mother's condition has worsened.

Sophia gasped, "Oh my God."

Lisa went straight to the receptionist as soon as they arrived at the hospital and asked for Sophie's mother and they were directed to her room.

They went in and saw many monitors around her with one beeping showing that her heart was beating. Sophie looked at her and noticed that she was sleeping soundly. There was a doctor and a nurse checking her vitals. "Keep monitoring her and report to me if there is any change, " he told the nurse.

"Yes doctor."

He turned to go and saw Sophie and Lisa.

"Doctor please, what's wrong with my mother?" Sophie asked. "I'm Sophie Adams, her daughter."

"Let's talk in my office," and they followed him to the office.

***

"Sophie, stop crying. You heard the doctor. She is out of danger now."

"Yes, but he also said it was a close call and they need to monitor her closely now. Any small thing can push her to the other side."

"No, the worst has passed. She is on the road to recovery now."

"Are you sure Lisa? She is not even moving."

"She is breathing. And this place is well-equipped with the best medical professionals in the country. She will definitely make it. Have some faith."

"Okay." she said.

That was the conversation they had about 30 minutes ago, right after coming out from the doctor's office. She didn't understand all the doctor said, the only thing that registered in her head was that her mother's condition regressed and they nearly lost her.

She had started crying then and it was Lisa that got the rest of the message. Anyway, Lisa had a date with her boyfriend today. She wanted to cancel it and stay here but Sophie will have none of it.

Lisa had done so much for her already and she wouldn't want her to miss her date. Sophie had to remind her that her mother was stable and there were competent professionals here. She then pushed Lisa out with a smile after promising to call Lisa if there is anything she needs.

Lisa deserves her day with her man. She had been her rock these past few days so it would be selfish of her to deny her this day. Before Lisa, it was her mom who was her strength but now she is lying here in the hospital bed not moving at all.

She wiped the tears forming in her eyes. She was closer to her father but after that terrible accident she and her mom grew closer as they had only themselves. But now she feels all alone.

The man that she thought will be her companion for life just got engaged to another girl and her only family is lying sick in the hospital. She wondered when she would have some semblance of a tranquil family life.

She started sobbing gently when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulders. She turned to see Ethan.

"What are you doing here?" she asked almost in a whisper.

"How is she doing?"

She looked at her mother and back at him. "She's stable. Now what are you doing here?"

"I got a call about your mom and I came as soon as I got the chance." It made sense, after all he is paying for all this. So he will have a way of knowing what goes on in this room. Yet Sophie thought it weird that he will leave his business, leave his new fiancée to come see her mother.

"Also, I know I will find you here. I want to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Sophie, I care about you." Sophie turned to look at him wondering if he was crazy. Wait, is that fear she is seeing in his eyes, no it can't be.

"I can see how much you care. I mean you care so much that you didn't even deem it fit to inform me of your precious engagement."

"We can work something out. All's not lost."

"Really," she stood up.

"Yeah. Let's go home and talk about it. That reminds me, you didn't come home yesterday. Where were you?

"Excuse me?"

"It took you some time to pick my call and you sounded drunk. Were you in a bar with another man?" he voice was rising with every sentence.

Sophie shook her head. She can't believe this man. "I was with Lisa," she can't believe she's explaining to this man. "We were having a bottle of wine in her home."

"Okay," he said and his phone beeped. He brought it out and read the message.

"Sophie, let me drop you at home. We'll talk when I get home but I have to leave for urgent business."

"Which home are you talking about?" she asked, thoroughly amused.

"Our home ofcourse. He said.

"You mean your penthouse which you'll soon share with your wife. I'm not going. She turned and sat down on the chair close to her mother's bed.

Ethan's face was twitching in anger. "Don't take any decision you will regret."

"Whatever," she said.

He turned to go.

"Oh wait, I'll go with you." she grabbed her handbag and walked past him.

Ethan's face registered surprise, then happiness. He started walking then stopped in his tracks when he heard her next words.

"I need to go pack my things and vacate the house for the incoming golden one."

"What did you say?

She turned to face him. "It's over Ethan. I quit."

"I'm the one who gets to decide when it's over," Ethan said.

She chuckled and turned to walk away.

"Sophie, think about 'her' before you make your next move."

"Ha,...I should think about your fiancée before I...don't worry I have thought it through."

"No, not her. The woman on the bed. Think about your mother before deciding on your next line of action. I will stop all her treatments and you know the other consequences of going against the contract."

Sophie was shaking, her face contorted in anger. Lisa was correct - he is a complete jerk. Before she could gather herself and reply he was gone. Her legs wobbled and she held on to a wall near the door to avoid falling to the ground. And started crying again.

"Sophie, where are you?" came Lisa's voice through the phone. "Don't tell me you are still in the hospital by this time."

"No, I left a few hours ago."

"So why aren't you in the house? I came back just now and was surprised to see the house empty."

"I'm at the penthouse."