Chapter 101 More problems
DASHIELL
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I glared at my phone, wondering why I didn't ask her to take care of herself. Well, I know. It wasn't like Lilith to sound so scared, and I perceived the thoughts of someone stalking her, reminded her of her foster brother, the one her family adopted before things went awry, and he tried to rape her.
"Fuck!" I gritted out, torn on what to do. I knew I should have rejected her and focused on Nova, but I couldn't do that. Even though we had broken up, I promised her I would always be there for her whenever she needed me, and the time was now. She needed me so much she had to call, to let me know she was in danger. The least I could do for her right now was to seek her out and comfort her.
I plopped down on the couch and covered my face with my palms, wondering why everything was happening at the same time. A new business partner terminated the deal I was supposed to sign with their company in Morocco after I left my signing ceremony unannounced. Not only that, but three of my major shareholders wished to end our cooperation, despite how much I explained to them. Now, Nova was on a sickbed, grappling for her life-okay, it's not that serious. And now Lilith was being stalked. What the hell was I even supposed to do?
I wanted to howl out at the world, to demand why everything was coming at once like my life was about to crumble. I just can't think of anything to do. Not only that, but I had to act normal with Nova. I can't have her worried over something I know I would take care of.
My phone vibrated with an incoming call, and I fished it out from my pocket, scowling when I saw the caller's ID. After the last call I had with my mum about the auction, she hadn't called me. I figured she wouldn't do that, seeing as I never listened to her. Seeing her name flashing on the screen of my phone gave me mixed emotions. I wanted to ignore the call, to act like I didn't see it, which I did until she called for the tenth time, something that stunned me. From how insistent her call was, I knew it would be something good.
Puffing out a breath, I clicked on the green call sign and placed the phone on my ear, my gaze nonchalant, and my tone bored as I spoke into the phone, "Hello."
"Dashiell?" My mum's urgent voice rang out from the other end, causing me to sit up as I held my phone to my ear. From the tone she used, I could tell something wasn't right. Not when she sounded so breathless.
"What's it?" I held my breath, waiting for her to throw the bombshell at me because I was expecting it. After all, it had been problem after problem this week. I hadn't even gotten a moment to rest, to think of my predicament and how to sort it all.
"Your dad. He -"
"What did he do this time? Don't tell me you caught him with his secretary again?" My tone was weary. This had been the norm ever since my mum started being all sceptical about their marriage. "Not that. Your dad just collapsed. He's -"
"What?!" I got up from the bench, startling the nurse and pushing a woman in a wheelchair.
"I just called the family doctor. I don't know what to do anymore," she said, her tone helpless. "I need you here, Dashiell," she added, begging.
For the first time since I was born, my mum actually begged me. Something she wouldn't have been caught dead doing, not with the way she kept on acting like I owed her in my first life.
"Dash?"
"Call an ambulance and send him to the hospital. I will be there in a few minutes," I said, hurrying towards Nova's room, so I could tell her of the recent development.
"Okay, I will do that."
She disconnected, leaving me to continue with my walk as I tried not to think of how everything kept getting worse daily. Almost like someone out there was trying to punish me for a sin I didn't know
I committed.
I walked towards the room, intending to tell my wife I needed to head to our family hospital to check on my father. But as I approached, I picked up a strangled scream coming from inside. I thought nothing of it until I heard it again. This time, it sounded so familiar. I didn't need to listen again to know it came from Nova. With my heart racing, I burst through the door.
What I saw made my blood run cold. A man stood over my wife, his hands around her throat, and a syringe gleaming in his other hand. I didn't hesitate.
With a fierce roar, I launched myself at the attacker. We crashed to the floor, punches flying. I managed to land a solid hit to his jaw, but he recoiled and countered with a vicious kick. I blocked it, but he was strong. We rolled across the floor, fighting for dominance. My wife's moans grew fainter, and I knew I had to end this fast, but it wasn't easy.
The man was stronger than I was. Getting a blow was close to impossible at the moment, but I persevered.
In a burst of adrenaline, I pinned him down, my hands closing around his throat. "Who the fucking hell are you? Who sent you?!" I snarled.
But he was slippery. With a sudden jerk, he shoved me off and scrambled to his feet. I lunged after him, but he was too quick.
As we faced off, his eyes darted towards the exit. I knew that look-he was searching for an escape. With a swift motion, he pushed me hard, sending me stumbling backwards. Before I could regain
my balance, he was already sprinting out the door.
"NO!" I yelled, racing after him.
But he was gone, vanished into the hospital corridors. I would have chased after him had it not been for a moan from behind. I turned back to my wife, relief washing over me as I saw her struggling to
sit up, gasping for air.
"Nova," I whispered, rushing to her side. "Are you okay?"
She nodded, still coughing. "Y-yes... I think so."
I sat on the bed and held her close, patting her hair as I tried to console her.