Chapter 39 A Cruel Deception
Adrian's POV
I strap Hazel to my chest as I run like a crazy man into the building.
Darcy is in the hospital and I did not know. All I've been doing is allowing myself to drown in anguish.
Thinking I have the worst problem, meanwhile she is fighting for her life. The fact that a staff is the one with her phone only means one thing - she's in a critical condition.
People turn to stare at me as I stop at the front desk, panting and holding Hazel who thankfully did not cry.
The murmurings then starts. Some points at me and the others pretends not to notice me but that is less of my worry.
I can feel the tears at the back of my eyes. It's brewing, ready to spill but I'm really trying not to break down because Darcy needs a someone she can lean on.
"Hello, sir. How..."
"Darcy... Darcy Ife," I pant as my lips part a bit.
The nurse stares at me, furrowing her forehead as her gaze shifts from Hazel to me. Maybe she didn't hear me.
"Hmm," I clear my throat, holding the edge of the counter tightly. "I'm here to see Darcy Ife. I got a call that she's here," I explain while gritting my teeth.
Ready to cause a scene but that's not a smart choice. Darcy and Hazel are here. I have to be considerate.
Another nurse walks in and looks at me. "Darcy Ife is in room 19 on the third floor," she informs me.
I run towards the elevator and enter. Tapping on the floor number. Hazel whimpers and I caress her small arms.
"Calm down baby. We are going going to see Darcy. Just a few seconds more," I say as I tap my foot against the floor impatiently.
If I am alone, I don't mind taking the stairs.
Soon, the elevator ding and opens. I walk fast as I check the number plaques on the wall beside each door.
I check everything till I saw it.
I lick my lips and try to steady my breath, before knocking. After seconds, there's no response.
Then I twist the doorknob and enter the room. The bed isn't neatly, showing someone lay on it. The machines are only beeping but anyway, they are here.
My breath catch up in my throat. Several thoughts spiral in my head.
Darcy is indeed here but why? I scan the room but there's nobody.
"Darcy?" I call out to her but silence follows.
I walk to the bathroom to check but she's not there.
"Darcy!" I call out again but this time my tone is a bit higher than the last time.
Soon, someone else enters too. My heart starts pounding, ready to escape the confines of my chest. I'm not glad that she's in the hospital but at least I get to see her.
Hazel can now see the woman she's been yearning for.
I rub my sweaty palms together and swallow the big lump in my throat. Mustering up the courage, I finally turn with a small smile.
My face twists into a deep frown immediately. What's going on? Am I dreaming?
I rub my eyes to make sure I'm not hallucinating but it's actually real.
"What the hell is happening here?" I ask in a deep voice with my fists so tight that my hands become numb.
"Is that all you have to say to me after so long?" My mother rolls her eyes dramatically like this is a joke.
The nurse push the wheelchair and help her sit on the bed.
The nurse is about to leave when I stop her. "I received a call that a certain Darcy Ife is in a critical condition," I say.
"Of course sir," she replies.
I rub the nape of my neck and nod, trying to stay calm. "So where's the Darcy? Because I don't see her in this room," I tilt my head as I try not to sound stupid.
She furrows her eyebrows and looks at my mother. "I don't understand. She's the one, right?" She asks in a low voice, doubting her answer too.
I laugh darkly and bite my lower lip. My eyes are now bloodshot.
"Am I suppose to answer that question?" I grit.
"With all due respect sir, the patient gave the name herself," she clarifies.
What? My mother intentionally lied about her name to bring me here?
I snap my head to look at the woman sitting innocently on the bed.
"Is she saying the truth?" I ask quietly, not ready to accept that this woman set this up just to mess with my feelings.
She rolls her eyes and faces the nurse, "thank you so much. You can leave now?"
After the door closes, she sits properly and smiles at Hazel. I stand there waiting for an answer. However, my veins continues to pulse.
"Fuc...," I snap my mouth shut. I'm not about to curse in front of my child. I take a deep breath as my hands tremble.
"Do you care to tell me what's going on?" I ask again.
"For over a month, you've been avoiding me. When I go to your house or the company, your workers do not allow me to go in. I thought I lost you forever. You know you are the only one I have," she says with a pitiful face.
I gasp and place my palm on my mouth and scoff. "You mean you out on a facade, raise my blood pressure and almost got me killed because I ignore traffic rules, just to see me?"
She hangs her head low, "you won't see me. Do you know the pain I'm in because my only child dislikes me now?"
"Shut it!" I bark and Hazel jolts. "Just shut it."
Oh my goodness. What kind of grandmother does my child have?
"Are you even listening you yourself? How can you be so cruel? Mothers should be loving and considerate but all you've ever done is to take away the little peace I have."
"You think tricking me to come here will suddenly make me forgive you?" I question.
All through this time, my hand is protectively wrap around Hazel. My vision blurs and my heart breaks without care.
"Just like you said, I only dislike you but with what you're doing... It's enough for me to hate you. Darcy never hurt us and now that she's gone, you still haunt her."
By now, she's clutching onto her chest and crying profusely.
"I've never seen such an insensitive person as you. Because you know how I feel about Darcy, you use her name to trick me. The name of the very person you despise," I scoff.
"I'm sorry son. Please forgive me. I only use her name because I know you'd come coming of you know she's the one in trouble," she cries but I don't believe her. This is the last straw. I'm exhausted.
I open my mouth to talk but pauses. "Avoid me and my child. Stay away from us for a long time if you don't want me to hate you for life. And for you to gain my forgiveness, you'll have to work for it and prove yourself but it won't be easy."
After that, I turn to leave but she holds my hand immediately. "I'm sorry it will not happen again," she sobs with a broken voice.
I shove her off me but froze with the words that follows. "If you walk away now, you'll never know what happened to Darcy."
The words were like a dagger digging deep into my bones. Don't I even deserve to express myself?