A haggard Lucas went forward to talk to Marcus’s doctor the moment he emerged from the emergency room. “Has Marcus gained consciousness, doctor? How serious is his condition?”
The doctor shook his head. “We’re trying our best. We’ve carried out intubation successfully and now the patient will be shifted to the ICU. We’ll start with the intravenous drips right away as well as inject antidotes at regular intervals. He should gain consciousness when the toxin level reduces,” said the doctor.
“How soon can we shift the patient?” asked Lucas, wanting to shift his brother to Bellevue Hospital where Sienna used to work before. It was much bigger and better equipped to deal with the therapy that Marcus needed right now.
“You can shift him once he gains consciousness. Right now his condition isn’t stable and I wouldn’t advise you to move him,” said the doctor. Four hours passed by and they decided to take turns at the hospital. Ben Duncan drove Mrs. Donnelly to Marcus’s Southampton beach house nearby since she was unable to remain at the hospital for such long hours.
“Do you know Cara?” asked Mrs. Donnelly with curiosity. Ben Duncan took a deep breath and smiled hearing her name.
“Yes, she’s a very sweet child, selfless, caring and kind. She looked after sir so well, inspiring him to paint again. He was so happy with her,” he said with a sigh.
“Did they go on vacations regularly? He never came home for a whole year. I wonder how he forgot us when with her!” asked Marcus’s mom. She was sure that Marcus splurged on her with expensive vacations, food, and shopping to make her stay with him. Coming from a poor background she surely was with him for money while he might have loved her unconditionally.
“No, no, sir was busy with an art series that Cara had inspired him to create. He took her out only once, otherwise, they hardly went out. Cara used to go to college. She received a scholarship to study music,” said Ben Duncan.
“I’m sure they must have gone out for movies, shopping daily if not on vacations,” urged his mom. Ben Duncan shook his head.
“No, ma’am. She only went home to see her siblings sometimes,” said Ben Duncan. Marcus’s mom frowned, not understanding what to make of it anymore. Was she wrong about her judgment about Cara? Did she really love Marcus unconditionally?
Her phone buzzed with an incoming call from her best friend, Bella Thornton. She accepted the call and spoke to her. Cassie was pregnant with Bryan’s child and they were planning to get married in two weeks. “She’s so excited to finally get married to Bryan. He proposed last night. Will you come down to help with the wedding preparations?” asked her friend.
“Yeah, sure. Congratulations, Bella,” she said. After talking for a few minutes, she disconnected the call with a frown. So Cassie didn’t love Marcus, after all! She was in love with Bryan or was it with Bryan’s money? Maybe she was after Marcus’s money as well since she wasn’t around when he had a painter’s block and wasn’t doing well in life. Only Cara was with him at that time! She closed her eyes not wanting to believe the obvious. Cara had proved herself innocent and pure every time, proving her wrong in her judgment of her. Ben dropped her at the house and handed her the keys. “I’ll have to get back, ma’am. I think Nicholas sir is on his way here,” said the old guard.
“It’s okay. I’ll manage. You can go back,” said his mom. He drove away while she went inside the house. The stench of alcohol hit her nose and she saw the condition Marcus had left the house in. She started cleaning up immediately when Nicholas came in after ten minutes. His jaws dropped to the floor seeing his mom cleaning.
“What are you doing, mom? Bro will be so angry with you,” he said, seeing his mom pick up a woman’s top lying on the sofa. “Don’t remove that. It’s Cara’s,” said Nicholas with wide eyes.
“How can you be so sure?” asked his mom.
“I had seen her wear it when we were there at Preston Island,” said Nicholas. His mom’s eyes widened and she picked up the top and walked over to Marcus’s bedroom making Nicholas roll his eyes as he followed her. “What are you up to, mom?”
“Packing all his stuff. I don’t want him to stay here all by himself. I’ll take him back to Lucas’s house with me,” said his mom, starting to pack.
“Yeah. It isn’t safe for him to stay here all alone. Do you really think he wanted to die?” asked Nicholas as he helped his mom pack.
“Yes, Mark has always been extreme with his emotions,” said his mom with a sigh. “I had no idea that he had developed feelings for Cara.”
“Now that you know, will you accept her, mom?” asked Nicholas with disbelief.
“Yes. I just want him alive and happy,” said his mom.
“I think you and bro should sort out your differences,” suggested Nicholas.
“I will once he is released and better. I’m sure he can go to LA and win her back.” Nicholas smiled, feeling much relieved that finally, the cold war in the family was about to end. He just prayed in his mind that his brother found his happiness. They quickly packed up and loaded everything into Nicholas’s car. His mom freshened up and locked up the house and they went back to the hospital.
Thankfully, after an hour, Marcus gained consciousness. With the treatment working on him, he was out of danger. The hospital gave them permission to shift him. So, Lucas made arrangements to shift him to Bellevue. A well-equipped ambulance transferred him to Bellevue where Sienna was there to help speed up the process of admission. Nicholas stayed back with Lucas while Sienna and their mom returned home.
The next day, Marcus was fit to be discharged and his brothers brought him home. Sienna had arranged his stuff in the guest room although Marcus wanted to stay at his own penthouse. “No, you won’t be allowed to stay alone after the stunt you pulled,” said Lucas sternly.
“I can’t stay here and face mom’s hurtful comments. You shouldn’t have saved me in the first place. Who wants to live?” grumbled Marcus as they climbed out of Lucas’s car.
“Mom won’t hurt you. She had realized her mistake,” said Nicholas but Marcus just laughed sarcastically.
“We’ll soon find out if she really has,” he said, walking into the house. Everyone rushed forward to hug him, Alexia with tears in her eyes, Sienna, Maria, all except his mom. She stood at the door of her room and watched him silently, wiping her tears away.
“I’ve arranged the guest room for you. Rest while I serve lunch,” said Sienna.
“I’ll leave after lunch, Sienna,” said Marcus.
“No, you’re not going anywhere, Mark. If you can’t stay here because of me, I’ll go away to your granny’s house,” said his mom.
“No need. I’m not a child. I don’t need babysitting,” said Marcus.
“No one’s babysitting you, Mark. We just want you safe and happy,” said his mom.
“I had no idea that you’re so concerned about my happiness, mom!” he laughed bitterly. Lucas dragged him away to the guest room while his mom stood frozen to the spot.
“It’s okay, mom. I can see that you’ve started trying. Give him time, he’ll come around,” comforted Nicholas. Later, Marcus didn’t join them at the table for lunch, preferring to have his lunch in his room. Sienna took his food to his room, not wanting to upset him. The next two days, everyone left him at peace but his mom was dying to talk to him. She wanted to apologize and urge him to seek his happiness instead of wasting his life. It was dinnertime and she carried his food to his room. Marcus looked up with surprise seeing his mom bring in his food.
“Why did you have to bother? Maria would have brought it anyway,” he said, looking displeased.
“Why can’t I bring your food?” she asked, looking hurt.
“You don’t particularly care about me, that’s why. You care only about rich people, high society, your elite club, and your multi-billionaire sons. I’m nothing compared to them so why should you care about me?” he asked, looking away and not even touching his food. His mom kept the food down and sat beside him.
“You’ve got it all wrong, Mark. I didn’t believe Cara was pure and innocent after what I found out about her past. I thought she too was after your money just like the other girls. Having known Cassie since the day she was born, I had always wanted her for you. I was blinded by my wish to get her married to you. I’m sorry, Mark. I’ve not been fair to you. I now know how much Cara loves you. With Cassie being pregnant with Bryan’s child, I’ve realized that she doesn’t love you at all as she used to claim. She’s happy marrying Bryan and I’m glad now that you didn’t marry her. I want you to be happy, Mark. If your happiness lies with Cara, then I have no problems at all. That girl has proved time and again how much you two deserve one another,” said his mom, making Marcus’s eyes go wide with surprise.
“It’s too late now, mom. She has moved on,” said Marcus dejectedly.
“I don’t think so,” said his mom, making his eyes pop out as he gaped at her.