Chapter 125 Cracks in the Foundation
Chapter One hundred and Twenty Five
Valenticia’s POV
My day started with stress before I could even drink water. I was about to leave for work at a different company when my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, but something in me made me answer.
“Hello?”
“Valenticia? It’s Mrs. Ada from next door,” the elderly woman said. Her voice sounded nervous. “Your grandmother… she collapsed in the living room. The ambulance just took her to the clinic.”
My whole body froze. “What? When?”
“About ten minutes ago. She was breathing but very weak.”
I didn’t even let her finish. “I’m on my way!”
I grabbed my keys and ran out of the office. I don’t remember most of the drive. I only remember my fingers shaking on the steering wheel and my heart pounding fast.
When I arrived at the clinic and rushed into her room, the sight hit me hard. Nona lay in bed looking small and tired. Her skin looked pale. Her breathing was slow. And a nurse was fixing her IV.
“Val,” she whispered when she saw me.
I went to her side fast. “Nona… what happened? Why didn’t you tell me you felt sick?”
She gave me a tired smile. “I didn’t want to worry you. You already carry too much.”
Hearing her voice so weak made fear spread through my chest. I pulled a chair close and sat beside her, holding her hand.
“Nona, you scared me,” I said quietly, trying not to cry.
She looked at my face for a long moment. “My child… why do you look so troubled? Something heavy is sitting on your heart.”
I looked down at my hands. “It’s nothing.”
“It is something,” she said firmly. “Tell me.”
For a moment I wanted to lie, but her eyes wouldn’t let me. I sighed and said, “Everything in my life feels messy. Three men keep pulling me in different directions. Stefan won’t stop trying to talk to me. Dimitri is trying to show up again. And now there’s a new man trying to throw his ideas at me.”
Nona nodded slowly. “Your heart cannot survive being split between too many storms.”
“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered.
Before she could answer, she started coughing — a deep, shaking cough that bent her forward.
“Nona!” I stood up and held her shoulders.
Her hand moved to her chest. Her breathing turned rough.
The nurse rushed back in. “Ma’am, lie back, please.”
“I’m trying,” Nona gasped.
My stomach twisted hard with fear as the nurse checked her pulse and called another nurse.
“What’s happening?” I asked. “Is she okay?”
“She needs more tests,” the nurse said quickly. “Her heart rate is unstable.”
“I’m right here,” I whispered, squeezing her hand.
She tried to smile but her eyelids felt heavy. “Don’t cry, my child.”
I blinked back tears. “I’m not crying.”
The nurse gave me a small look that said she didn’t believe me.
For the next two hours, the doctors ran tests. I sat outside her room, pacing up and down the hallway. Every time a door moved, I jumped.
After what felt like forever, a doctor finally came out.
“We stabilized her for now,” he said. “But she needs further tests soon. Today or tomorrow.”
“Is it serious?” I asked.
He sighed. “We need to be careful with her age and her heart.”
My fear grew even stronger. “Can I stay?”
“Yes. But try to get rest too.”
I nodded even though I knew I wouldn’t sleep.
I stayed in her room until night. I watched her breathe. I talked to her when she opened her eyes. I held her hand even when she slept. I didn’t care about anything else.
When it got late, a nurse came in and said, “She needs rest. You can go home for now. We’ll call if anything changes.”
I kissed her forehead. “I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
She nodded weakly. “Go home, child.”
I walked out of the clinic feeling empty and scared. When I stepped outside, the cold air hit me, and I saw someone standing near the parking lot under a small streetlight.
Stefan.
My heart jumped. “What are you doing here?”
He stepped closer. He looked tired, almost worried. “I heard you were at the clinic. I wanted to check on you.”
“Who told you?” I asked.
“Someone from your staff. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked but I got scared.”
I crossed my arms. “She’s not doing well. They need to run more tests.”
He nodded, his voice soft. “Do you want me to walk you to your car?”
“No, Stefan… I’m okay.”
He looked hurt. “Can I at least be here for you? You look like you’re breaking inside.”
“I just need space,” I said. My voice cracked without warning.
He stepped closer. “Val—”
“Please, Stefan,” I whispered. “Not tonight.”
He froze but eventually he nodded slowly. “Alright. I’ll go.”
He walked away looking defeated. I watched him until he got into his car. A part of me wanted to call him back. A bigger part of me couldn’t handle one more emotional weight tonight.
I drove home in silence. Every part of my body felt drained. I didn’t even turn on the lights when I entered the house. I dropped my bag on the table and leaned against the wall, closing my eyes.
“Nona…” I whispered.
Something felt wrong. Something felt deeper than what the doctors said. I could feel it in the air, in my chest, in the way she couldn’t lift her eyes earlier.
As I walked slowly toward my room, I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold everything together.
Tomorrow, everything might get worse.
And I wasn’t ready.