For the next fifteen days, Alexander had no time to spare. He and Ashton lived at his parents’ house. They discussed the treatment and finally, his dad settled down into a routine, with check-ups, medicines, and lots of tests. Although he wanted to retire from his business, Alyssa wasn’t interested in taking over the reins from him. Alexander still continued with Rotterdams like he used to, but with more vigor now. Desmond Rotterdam completely handed over the responsibility of the business to him, since his open heart transplant was scheduled a week later. He had to go to his house regularly to meet him since legally he and Beatrix were still the legal proprietors, having the final signing authority.
Therefore, his personal life took a backseat, and he didn’t know where Eva was. He didn’t have the time to go searching for her. It was as if the road trip, the wonderful time they shared, had been nothing but a dream. She had completely disappeared from his life. He tried calling her, but she never accepted his call! Although he didn’t have a moment to spare in between his work and the call of duty towards everyone, thoughts of Eva constantly remained at the back of his mind. He longed for what he had with her! He longed to pursue her. Maybe he would when his dad started responding to his treatment.
However, he was in for more torture the next week when Desmond Rotterdam proceeded with his open heart transplant. “The operation is successful. They will observe him in the ICU for the next 20 days,” said Beatrix with relief.
Alexander, his parents, and a few of Beatrix’s relatives were there at the hospital for the major surgery. “The first week is very crucial,” said Daniel Van Every.
“Yes, the doctor said that they will put him on a ventilator until the heart functions properly,” said Beatrix.
“That’s the standard procedure for all transplants. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine,” said Jodie Van Every.
“How are you, uncle Daniel?” asked Beatrix worriedly. His dad updated her about his health conditions and treatment, while Alexander stood broodingly nearby. He knew what was lying in store for him. The moment they would reach home, his parents would be after his life, trying to convince him to marry Beatrix.
Alexander and his parents returned home since his dad wasn’t too well to stay at the hospital much longer. Just as he had expected, the moment they entered the house, his mom turned to face him.
“I’m really worried about the girl now. The poor thing is battling with her dad all by herself. I wish you would leave your stubbornness behind and fulfill your responsibilities towards them, Alex,” scolded his mom.
“What responsibilities, mom? I’m not engaged to her. She is helping her father just like I’m helping my dad,” protested Alexander impatiently.
“Desmond has done a lot for you, Alexander. He had trained you so well. Now that he needs support, shouldn’t you meet his expectations?” said his dad, sitting down at the table to wait for his lunch.
“When have I failed him, dad? I’m doing what he has trained me for. I’m handling Rotterdams dedicatedly without his help. What more can he expect of me? I can’t marry Beatrix just for business. I tried to remain faithful to her, but she failed me. So if anyone is responsible for this, she herself is. In fact, she could also take an interest in the business. Why to depend on others?” said Alexander calmly. He didn’t want his dad to get worked up and fall sick.
“Beatrix has changed, Alex. She has stopped everything. Please don’t be so harsh on her,” pleaded his mom as she served his dad.
“I don’t feel a thing for her, mom. I don’t want to waste my life being tied down to a woman I hate. Do you think she would be happy in such a relationship? I’m sure she deserves someone better,” he said with a sigh.
“You’ll start loving one another after marriage. Don’t let this opportunity go,” said his mom.
“No, mom, love doesn’t happen that way. You know it best. Did it happen to you and uncle Dave? I’m sorry to bring it up, but you’re forcing me to.” His mom glared at him while his dad sighed and ate in silence.
“I know what this is all about. It’s because of that beggar girl, Eva, isn’t it? How could she go on a road trip with you, knowing that you and Beatrix are together? Such females can do anything for money. Her mother was a wh*re and so is she,” gritted out his mom.
Alexander lost his temper and glared back at his mom. “Eva isn’t a beggar. She has a very well-paying job and an inheritance from her grandfather. She achieved all this on her own capabilities when her parents separated ways, leaving her to fend for herself. Don’t compare her with the wh*re Beatrix, who sleeps around with everyone she meets. I caught her red-handed with Sean Fairfield.”
He took a staggering breath while his parents gaped at him in surprise. He was a man of few words, and this was the first time he stood up for Eva. “I forced Eva to go on a road trip with me. Let me tell you that not once did we cross our limits, although I’m not with Beatrix anymore after breaking our engagement,” he said while his mom looked away with a scoff.
“Her mom,” started Jodie Van Every, but Alexander had more to say and intervened immediately.
“I’m not concerned with what her mom did to you. She has wronged Eva as well. For the last thirteen years, I’ve seen Eva struggle all on her own, accepting your unjust hatred towards her for what her mom did to you. If it hadn’t been for granny, we wouldn’t have known the cause of your hatred for her. It is unjustified, mom. I don’t know what you see in Beatrix, but I simply hate her! You can’t behave so cruelly with someone who hasn’t harmed you,” he said with a sigh.
“Don’t just blindly support the girl. We have reasons to hate her. Maybe she hasn’t harmed us directly, but we can’t forgive her mom,” said his mom. Alexander wanted to remind her of her own deeds, but he curbed himself, considering his dad’s health.
“Don’t forgive her mom. Who’s asking you to? Anyway, this isn’t because of Eva. I won’t marry Beatrix because I hate her,” explained Alexander.
“Whatever! Stella’s daughter can never be a part of the Van Every family, Alexander. So if you are nurturing feelings in your heart for the girl, erase them immediately. My health isn’t that good to tolerate this sort of stress. Since both you and Alyssa are not interested in the business I’ve set up with my sweat and blood, you’ll be bankrupt soon if you don’t marry Beatrix,” said his dad, his tone solemn, leaving no opportunity to argue.
“I hate finance, dad. If I take over VE Global Finance, it will be a disaster,” admitted Alexander.
“I understood that. Then there’s only one way left for you,” said his dad.
Alexander didn’t argue, but he knew he had a lot of ways to earn. He could start his own restaurant chain. Why would he need Rotterdams? If only he could explain that to his dad without getting him worked up! He knew he had to talk to Alyssa and convince her to handle VE Global Finance. With her finance degree, she would do justice to the business.
Alexander returned to his penthouse after the argument with his parents. He was upset with everything and everyone. After work, his subconscious mind forced him to drive over to Bellevue hospital. He needed to see Eva as soon as possible and talk to her. He wanted to coax her to return to his apartment, to apologize for hurting her. Going to the pediatric department, he looked around but didn’t see her. Didn’t she report for work? Worried, he looked around to inquire about her.
He stopped a nurse passing by. “Can you call nurse Eva Rayner?” he asked the nurse who stood ogling at him with interest.
“Eva hasn’t reported to duty for the last three days,” she informed him disinterestedly.
“Oh, do you have any information about where I can find her?” he asked, but the nurse shook her head and walked away.
“I don’t know. Ask nurse Solomon, our Supervisor here,” she threw over her shoulder with a scoff. Alexander sighed and went to look for nurse Solomon when someone called him from behind. Turning around, he saw none other than Doctor Victor Garrett approaching him.
“Hi, Alexander! Are you looking for Eva?” he asked with a tense expression on his face. Alexander nodded, a feeling of jealousy gripping his entire body at the sight of the handsome doctor.
“Then you’ve come to the wrong place. Eva has been discharged today. I just dropped her home,” said the doctor while Alexander blinked in confusion.
“Discharged? I didn’t get you. Has she lost her job?”
“No, don’t you know she was hospitalized for the last three days in our emergency unit?” asked the doctor in surprise.