MARY’S POV.
It was dawn when I opened my eyes and saw Alex staring at blank space. I crawled out of our king-sized bed and walked up to him.
“Don’t tell me you stood here all night?” I asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He turned his head slightly, his eyes clouded. “I’m fine,” he murmured, but his voice sounded far from convincing.
“Fine?” I studied his face. His complexion was pale, and there were dark circles under his eyes. “Alex, you don’t look fine. Your face is so pale. You need to rest.”
He sighed, rubbing his temple. “I’m okay, Mary. Really.”
“No, you’re not,” I said firmly, reaching for his arm. “Come on. Let’s get you back to bed.”
I had barely turned to lead him when his knees buckled, and he collapsed into my arms.
“Alex!” I screamed, lowering him to the floor as carefully as I could. “Alex, wake up! Please!”
His eyes remained closed, his body limp. My heart pounded in my chest as panic surged through me.
“Someone, help me.” I screamed out at the top of my voice.
The door opened and I shifted my direction to it. It was Saraya.
“Quick, come here.” I instructed in a haste.
Saraya eyes widened in horror. “Dad!” Saraya screamed as she rushed towards us.
She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands shaking. “Dad! Can you hear me? Please, say something!”
Saraya turned to me. “Mom,” she began, her voice breaking. “What happened?”
“Saraya, call the emergency services!” I shouted, ignoring her question.
Saraya reached for her pocket only to realize she was in her pyjamas. I saw the look of confusion on her face. “Use my phone, it’s unlocked.”
Ian rushed in. “Uncle!” He screamed as he also rushed towards us.
Saraya grabbed my phone from the table beside the bed, her hands trembling as she dialed.
“Place him on his side.” Ian suggested as he assisted me with Alex.
We had barely moved Alex to his side when my mother in law walked in.
“I heard you…” She was saying when her eyes widened when she saw Alex lying on the floor.
“Alex!” she cried, rushing to his side. She knelt down and cupped his face. “Alex, what’s wrong? Wake up!”
Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned to me, her voice sharp. “What happened, Mary?”
“I don’t know,” I stammered, shaking my head. “He said he was fine, but then he just… collapsed.”
My mother in law leaned closer, her hands trembling as she patted his cheeks. “Alex, it’s me, your mother. Wake up, please.”
“The ambulance is on its way!” Saraya shouted, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face. “Stay with us, help is on its way.” She knelt down beside Alex and tried to take his hand but my mother in law yanked her hands off angrily.
“Don’t you dare touch him with your filthy hands, this is all your fault!” She yelled at Saraya.
“What?” her voice was low, her tear-streaked face lifting to meet her grandmother’s furious glare.
“You heard me!” She shouted. Her voice was filled with venom. “It’s because of you that my son is lying here like this!”
“Mom, stop!” I said firmly, standing up to face her. “This is not what we need right now.”
“No, I will not stop, Mary!” My mother in law snapped, her eyes never leaving Saraya. “She’s been nothing but a burden to him! The fraud allegation, the affair with his best friend and see where it has landed us?!”
Saraya shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I didn’t- I didn’t mean for this to happen!”
“Didn’t mean it?” My mother in law mocked Saraya. “Pray nothing happens to my son, else you will gave my full wrath.”
Just then, we heard the siren of ambulance arrived at our doorstep. Ian raced to the door to grant them access and I saw Evan standing all by himself at the door.
.
“What’s going on?” Evan asked as Ian ushered the paramedics in.
“You should head back to your room,” Ian said quickly before walking pass him.
Soon, the medics rushed in with their equipment.
The paramedics knelt by Alex, working swiftly. One checked his pulse while the other placed an oxygen mask over his face. I stood to the side, my hands clasped tightly together.
“His pulse is weak,” one of them said. “We need to move him now.”
“Will he be okay?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“We’ll do everything we can,” one of the medics assured me as they lifted Alex onto the stretcher.
Saraya tried to follow the medic but was stopped by my mother in law. “Don’t you dare show your face there,” she hissed. “You’ve caused enough pain already.”
Saraya didn’t say a word. She simply stared at the floor, tears silently streaming down her face.
“Mom, stop this,” I said gently. “If anything, Alex wouldn’t want us fighting each other. Let’s focus on that instead of pointing fingers. Let her come with us.”
“I agree with grandma, Saraya has no right to come with us when she is the reason, uncle collapsed.” Ian seconded. Turning to Saraya with spite on his face. “You should have some decency to butt your face off and wallow in shame.”
Saraya opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by the medics. “We need to go now,” one of them said, wheeling Alex out of the room.
“I’ll come with you in the ambulance.” I said following them. “The rest of you can come with us in a car.”
“Evan,” I said, noticing the young boy still standing at the door. “Go back to your room, sweetheart. Everything will be fine.”
“But is Dad going to be okay?” Evan asked, his voice trembling.
I forced a smile, though I could tell he wasn’t convinced and have many questions to ask me, time wasn’t on me. “The doctors will take care of him, I promise.” I added to disperse his fear.