SARAYA’S POV.
I felt a soft touch on my shoulder. My heart raced and I opened my eyes in fear.
“Take it easy, it’s me.” Mary said, towering over me.
“Good morning,” she said softly.
“Good morning, Mom,” I replied, quickly sitting up and rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
I glanced at my father, still motionless on the hospital bed. The rhythmic beeping of the life machine was the only assurance that life still clung to him with his doctor by his side.
I sat up immediately. “I must have slept off.”
“You need it,” Mary replied, her tone gentle yet firm. “The doctor is here, come.”
I stood up quickly, my legs wobbly beneath me, as I followed Mary toward the doctor.
“Mrs. Newman, Ms. Newman,” he began. “Mr Newman’s test results came out and I must say… his condition is critical. We’ve done everything we can, but I have to be honest with you. His health is deteriorating rapidly. You need to prepare yourselves for the worst.”
I froze, “No,” I whispered, shaking my head slowly. “You’re wrong. He’s going to pull through. He is… he is a strong man.”
The doctor’s gaze softened. “I understand how difficult this is. But his heart is failing, and his organs are under immense strain. We’ll keep monitoring his health but I need you to be prepared.”
My legs felt weak, and I reached out to the wall for support. Mary stood beside me, her face pale as she held me.
“Mom…” I turned to her, my voice breaking. “Say something.”
She looked at me, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Saraya, we have to stay calm.”
“Calm?” I nearly shouted. “He’s dying, and you’re telling me to stay calm? It’s all my fault!”
Mary shook her head. “No, it’s not, my child.”
I bit my lip, swallowing my sobs as I turned back to the doctor. “There has to be something else you can do. Some treatment, some… surgery.”
“We’re doing everything we can,” he said. “But right now, we need to focus on making him comfortable. I’ll give you both some time.”
He walked away, leaving Mary and me standing.
“This can’t be happening.” I shook my head. “Mom, please tell me this is a bad dream.”
Mary’s hand trembled as she patted my back. Her voice was unsteady, like she was trying to hold herself together. “Saraya, listen to me. This is not the time for us to break down but to be strong for your father.”
But her words felt hollow, like she didn’t believe them herself. I pulled away from her touch and sat on my father’s bed. Watching him, motionless except for the faint rise and fall of his chest.
“This isn’t right,” I said, my voice cracking. “Just yesterday, he was fine, Mom! He was fine. I’m the reason he collapsed. Grandmother is right, I failed.”
“Sara…”
“Why aren’t you upset at me?” I demanded, spinning to face her. “When it’s all my fault?”
Mary pulled me into a tight hug. “Which mother blames their child?” She asked. “Your father’s health had always been poor.. is it fair to spin all the blame on you?”
“Its all my fault,” I choked out, trying to push her away but she didn’t release her grip.
“Blaming yourself won’t do any of us good, Sara.”
I buried my face in her arms and cried to my heart content.
***
Mary pulled up a chair and sat beside me. “How do you feel now?”
“Not so good.” I admitted.
Mary placed her hand on mine. “Saraya, you’ve been here all night. Why don’t you go home, freshen up, and prepare for work? I’ll stay with him.”
I shook my head. “I can’t just leave him like this. What if… what if he wakes up and I’m not here?” My voice cracked, and I bit my lip.
“Saraya,” Mary said, her voice taking on a firmer edge, “I understand how you feel, but there is little or nothing you can do right here. The company needs you. You’re in charge now, and this isn’t the time to be sentimental.”
My stomach twisted at her words. “Sentimental? This is my father, Mom.”
“And you’re forgetting you’re a businesswoman not a doctor,” Mary said, leaning closer. “If you neglect your responsibilities, you’re jeopardizing everything Alex has worked for. Do you think he’d want that?”
I looked back at my dad, his face pale and serene, as if he was merely sleeping. Tears stung my eyes. “I just… I don’t want to leave his side.”
Mary’s expression softened. “I know you don’t want to but you tidy things at work as the company approaches the end of the year. I’m sure there are a lot of things to do before Christmas. You should go, Sara. Go home, get ready for work, and come back later. I’ll call you if there’s any change.”
I hesitated, torn between my job and the desperate need to stay besides my father. Finally, I nodded. “Okay… promise me you’ll call the second he comes around.”
“I promise,” Mary said, squeezing my hand.
I stood up and walked over to Dad’s bedside one last time. Leaning down, I cupped his face, my thumb brushing against the rough stubble on his cheek. “I’m sorry, Dad,” I whispered. “Please wake up soon. We all need you.” I added before kissing his forehead.
*
MARY’S POV.
I sighed as I watched Saraya leave, I almost could stand her sight for another second. “I feel like I can finally breath without her here.”
I looked an Alex lying on the bed and feel no sympathy towards him. “You deserve what you’re getting.” I spat at him. “The child you gave so much to ended up making you collapse but don’t worry, I will put everything back to it place. You should know everything in the Newman’s empire belongs to me and Evan and I won’t stop until I get it.”
I smirked. “Dominic did a great job.” I muttered to myself. “I can’t believe he is that tenacious, thanks to him, I found my courage.” I smiled at myself. Recalling how I had seen him recording Arlan and Saraya that night but pretended not to have seen anything.
Looking down on Alex. “Thanks to my title of being a simple house wife, no one would believe I swapped your drugs.” I smiled. “I will be known as a wife who dutifully took care of her husband.”
A slow smile crept across my lips as I leaned over him. “And to think, all it took was a little Cardioxin to speed things along. Harmless enough to stay under the radar, deadly enough to do the job.”
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “It’s almost poetic.” I leaned back against the chair, recalling the previous night.
*FLASHBACK TO THR PREVIOUS NIGHT.*
I left Saraya in the sitting room and glanced back to take another look at her as a smile spread over my face.
I entered our bedroom and met Alex pacing back and forth.
“Do you intend pacing all night?” I asked.
He stopped abruptly on his tracks. “You don’t understand how I feel.”
I places my hand on his back. “How can I not understand how you feel when I’m a mother myself?”
“That is not what I meant.” Alex sighed.
“I know and I understand how frustrating this can be seeing it happened with Arlan, your own best friend.” I said finally. “You’ve been under so much stress lately, Alex. Why don’t you sit down while I get you your meds?”
“I’ll take them later.” He waved dismissively.
“No, you’re taking them now.” I insisted, reaching for the drawer where his pills are placed.
“You’re so persistent.”
I held the bottle up, smiling sweetly. “Just a caring wife making sure her husband stays healthy.”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair before taking the pills from me. “Right? I will give that to you.”
I smiled as he swallowed them, watching closely. “Now, why don’t you come and lie down?” I suggested softly, pointing toward at bed. “You need rest, Alex. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
Alex shook his head, giving me a faint smile. “You go ahead. I just need a moment to clear my head. I’ll join you soon.”
I raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. “Don’t stay up too long.”
“I won’t.” He stepped closer and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Thank you, Mary.”
I nodded. “Of course, Alex. Always.”
As he turned and walked toward the small pavement attached to our bedroom, I watched him carefully. The evening air came rushing in as he slid the glass door open, I watched his silhouette for a moment to see what he would do.
He stood there, staring at the empty space and lost in thought. For a moment, he looked vulnerable and broken.
But I didn’t feel pity. Only satisfaction.
With a smirk tugging at my lips, I turned and climbed the bed. I felt an excitement I haven’t felt in a very long time. After all, everything was going according to plan.
I closed my eyes, the smirk still on my face. “Your reign is almost over, Alex.” I whispered under my breath. “And it’s time for mine.”
*BACK TO PRESENT.*
I leaned back in the chair, staring at Alex. He lay there on the bed, frail and helpless. The man who once held so much power was now at my mercy.
Leaning down close to his ear, I whispered, “Don’t worry, Alex. Soon, you won’t have to worry about anything ever again. I will also take care of your beloved daughter.” A victorious smile playing on my lips. “Once I’m done with Saraya, I will find a way to kick Ian out as well.” I vowed. “As for your mother, I won’t have to worry much because after your death, I’m sure she will follow suit shortly.”