Chapter 28 Linda is my life
Charles POV
The bright reflection of sunlight hit my eyes and I stirred.
I rolled and reached out to the other side of the bed for Linda but it was empty. The sheets were still warm but she was gone.
I opened my eyes and sat up immediately. The windows were already open, morning light flooding every corner of the room. The clock on the nightstand read eight AM.
I stared at the unread text on my phone from Harvey, still sitting there from last night. I sighed and picked it up.
“Cancel the merger, Harvey. Don’t press further.”
I set the phone back down and sat still for a moment, the weight of that decision settling quietly over me. Then I yawned, stepped out of bed and walked into the bathroom to freshen up.
When I was done, the strong aroma coming from the kitchen hit my nose immediately and I rushed out of the room straight to the kitchen.
Standing beside the kitchen door, I admired the beauty standing near the kitchen cabinet, busy frying pancakes that made my mouth water.
Looking at her, I resolved for the nth time that I would spend the rest of my life with her. I couldn’t even imagine living without her to brighten up my mornings.
Forget the Jenkins merger. I would collaborate with other companies. The whole point was that I would choose her ten times over my company.
Linda is my life.
Harvey may be against this idea but I didn’t care.
“Good morning, baby,” I startled her and she turned.
“You startled me,” she pouted.
I walked towards her and grabbed her waist. “You said I beat your cooking skills,” I started.
“Yeah,” she blinked.
“But you lied.”
“I did??”
“Yes! Only the aroma of these pancakes has proven that no matter how I try, you’ll always be the best,” I replied and she blushed.
“Come on,” she hit my chest playfully.
“I’m serious, baby. This is just the aroma, talk more about the main meal!” I exclaimed.
She pushed me away gently. “Wait for me in the dining room. You’re disrupting my cooking.”
“But I can help.”
“No buts.”
“Okay, ma,” I said and headed out.
Hours later, I was already dressed and waiting for her at the garage.
“Babe, you have to hurry. Don’t take all the time dressing,” I called out.
“I’m almost done. Don’t you want me to look good?” her voice echoed from inside the room.
A smile tugged at my lips as I leaned against the car. “No matter how you dress, you always look good,” I responded.
There was a brief silence before the door finally opened a few minutes later.
And then she stepped out.
For a second, I genuinely forgot how to breathe.
The red dress hugged her body perfectly, flowing over her curves like it had been made specifically for her. The rich crimson color contrasted beautifully against her skin, making her glow beneath the soft morning light. The fabric swayed elegantly around her legs with every step she took, while the slit at the side revealed just enough to make my heart stumble. Her hair framed her face effortlessly, falling in soft waves over her shoulders, and the subtle gloss on her lips only made her smile more distracting. The confidence in her stride nearly brought me to my knees.
She stopped in front of me and raised a brow, clearly amused by the stunned look on my face.
“What?” she asked with a small laugh.
I shook my head slowly, unable to hide my smile. “Yeah, I definitely wasn’t prepared for this. You look gorgeous, baby,” I told her.
“Oh please! You complained countless times that I’d spent too long dressing,” she replied as she walked towards me.
“Come on, you did! I just want to spend quality time with my mother-in-law,” I defended myself as I walked ahead and pulled the car door open for her.
She slipped into the seat comfortably, a pleased smile resting on her lips. I waited until she settled in properly before shutting the door gently, then rounded the car and slid into the driver’s seat beside her, the soft hum of the engine filling the quiet space between us.
The ride was peaceful. The frequent exchange of glances spiced it up and I couldn’t help but keep smiling.
“You seem to be in a very good mood today,” she told me as our eyes met again.
I smiled and replied, “Being with you doesn’t permit me to be in a bad mood.” A soft laugh escaped her as she tried and failed to hide the smile spreading across her face.
We finally reached St. Mary’s Hospital and the smile on her face disappeared. I noticed that the once lively atmosphere between us became tense.
“What’s wrong, baby?” I asked.
“I just want to see my mum better than last time,” she muttered slowly.
“I know you’re scared. But you just have to be strong, if not for anything, for your mum,” I comforted her.
She nodded slowly and a small smile crept onto her lips.
“She’ll be fine, okay?” I whispered, rubbing her back gently.
She took a deep breath and within a few seconds, we were inside the hospital.
We walked straight to the reception, Linda clutching a small bag of fruits and toiletries we had bought on the way. The receptionist looked up as we approached and something lit up in her eyes.
“Linda! How are you doing?” she waved excitedly.
“I’m good, Cynthia. How are you?” Linda greeted cheerfully.
“I’m fine, dear. Who’s this handsome guy beside you?” Cynthia whispered loud enough for me to hear, rolling her eyes at me and biting her lower lip.
“He’s my husband,” Linda replied and Cynthia removed her gaze from me immediately.
“Oh. Good day, Sir,” she greeted and I simply nodded.
“How’s my mother, Cynthia?” Linda asked and something shifted in the latter’s eyes.
Pity.
Her fingers moved across the keyboard before she mumbled, “I’m sorry, Linda. The Jenkins withdrew their credit card from her treatment.”
Something tightened in my chest but I kept calm.
“What? When?” Linda’s eyes widened and her voice broke at the end.
“Three days ago,” Cynthia replied.
“That was on our wedding day, Charles,” Linda turned to me, her eyes already misty. “Why would they do that? Jessica even assured me that they had found a donor,” she said, fighting hard to keep the tears back.
Cynthia shook her head sadly.
“It’s okay, Linda. You don’t have to worry. I’m here now,” I comforted her and she sniffed back her tears.
“Where’s Sherry Parks now?” I asked Cynthia.
“She’s at the emergency overflow wing,” she said gently. “Down the hall, on your left.”
I frowned slightly. “Overflow wing?”
“There aren’t enough available rooms at the moment,” she explained carefully. “But she’s being attended to.”
I thanked her quietly and turned toward the hallway she had pointed at, clutching Linda’s hand carefully. Our footsteps slowed the farther we walked.
Patients lined the corridor on narrow beds separated only by thin curtains. The air smelled heavily of antiseptic, medicine, and exhaustion. Nurses moved quickly from one patient to another while family members sat beside beds with tired faces.
Then we saw her, not inside a private hospital room like I had imagined. Not resting comfortably beneath warm lights and clean silence.
She was lying in the hallway.
A thin blanket covered her frail body as the noisy hospital corridor buzzed around her. Her IV bag hung from a portable stand beside the bed, and the sight of her there, exposed, exhausted, vulnerable, made my stomach twist painfully.
I stopped walking completely.
For a moment, I could only stare. Because no matter how much I had prepared myself to see her sick, I had never prepared myself to see her like this.
Linda screamed and ran towards her. “Mum!!”
Linda grabbed her hands and kissed them.
“Baby,” Sherry muttered weakly.
“I’m so sorry, Mum. Jessica took the credit card off the treatment,” she sobbed.
“It’s okay, honey. They’ve been so generous with us. We can’t ask them for more money,” Sherry responded, trying to hide her uneasiness.
“Mum—” Linda began but I walked up to them and interrupted.
“Don’t worry, Linda. I’ll take over your mother’s hospital bills. She’s going to be well taken care of,” I said firmly.
“Linda, who’s this nice man?” Sherry asked, looking up at me.
“He’s my husband,” Linda replied before turning to me. “You really don’t have to—”
“I insist,” I took her hand. “I really care about you, Linda, and I can’t let your mother lie in this hallway.”
Sherry managed a smile and Linda’s eyes glistened.
“Now, what are we going to do about the Jenkins?” I asked.
Linda clenched her fists and her eyes hardened. “They used and double-crossed me. It’s time they get a taste of their own medicine,” she replied.
“They used you? How?” Sherry asked, looking a bit lost.
“It’s nothing, Mum,” Linda covered up quickly.
We spent quality time together just as I had wanted, before we headed to the Jenkins home. Just like Linda said, they needed to get a taste of their own medicine.
As we drove quietly, Sherry’s voice echoed in my head.
“I like this man, Linda. He’s so nice.”
Her mother was so warm and beautiful. Even in such a critical condition, she radiated something gentle and strong at the same time. No wonder she had raised such a beautiful woman as my wife.