CHAPTER 047
JASON’S POV
I sat in the chair by Grandpa’s bed, staring at his frail form The beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the dimly lit hospital room.
His usually sharp and commanding presence seemed so far away now. Seeing him like this sent a pang of guilt through my chest.
What had caused this? He was healthy the last time I spoke to him- stubborn as always, but fine. Something had triggered this collapse, and I needed to know what.
I ran a hand through my hair, my head in a mess. Memories of Grandpa mentoring me, scolding me, and pushing me to be better played in my head like an old film.
Shaking off the thought, I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the company security app. I hadn’t planned on looking at the CCTV footage, but something nagged at me.
Grandpa had been in my office before the collapse. Maybe the cameras would show what had happened.
I found the footage and clicked play. The small screen showed Grandpa walking into my office with his usual commanding presence.
My stomach tightened Laura was there she didn’t leave my office after our argument.
–
I leaned forward, watching intently. The angle wasn’t perfect, but it was enough. Grandpa and Laura were talking or rather arguing.
His expression was stern, and hers was defensive, her arms crossed.
I couldn’t hear the audio, but their body language said it all Grandpa pointed a finger at her, his movements sharp, while Laura gestured wildly, her frustration evident.
And then I saw it. Grandpa clutched his chest. His hand trembled as he reached for something in his pocket – his pills which fell and scattered on the floor.
“Damn it,” I whispered, my throat tightened.
What shocked me more was Laura. She didn’t move to help him. Instead, she just stood there, watching as he collapsed to the ground.
My hands clenched into fists as I watched her step away, her face blank, before leaving the room without a second glance.
“Unbelievable,” I hissed, my voice low and angry.
The footage ended, but the image of Grandpa on the floor and Laura’s cold indifference made my insides boil. I shoved the phone into my pocket and leaned back in the chair, letting out a shaky breath.
Laura. Always Laura. How could she be so heartless? I knew my Grandfather was always cold towards her but that was not enough reason for her to leave him there struggling.
Later that evening, Laura arrived at the hospital unannounced. She walked in with a bag of food, her heels clicking softly against the tile floor. Her face was composed, but she wore an expression of concern that didn’t sit right with me.
Why did she care now when she had left him when he was struggling? I just don’t… get it. Was she pretending to be worried? Or did she regret her decision?
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CHAPTER 047
+25 BONUS
“Jason,” she said softly, walking up to me. “I brought you something to eat. You’ve been here all day.”
I stared at her, and my jaw tightened. The sight of her standing there, acting so caring, made my blood boil.
“Why are you here, Laura?” I asked coldly, ignoring the bag she held out.
Her expression faltered for a moment before she tilted her head. “I’m here for you, Jason. For Grandpa. I care about this family, remember?”
I let out a bitter laugh, running a hand over my face. “Care? Is that what you call what you did to him?”
Her eyes widened, and she took a step back. “What are you talking about?”
I pulled out my phone, holding it up so she could see the paused footage of her walking away when Grandpa was struggling. “This, Laura. I saw everything. You stood there and watched him collapse. You didn’t even try to help him!”
Her face drained of color as she looked at the screen. “Jason… it’s not what it looks like,” she stammered. “Then explain it to me,” I snapped. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you left him to die.”
. Her lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes. “I was angry, okay? He said some horrible things to me, Jason.
Things that hurt. I wasn’t thinking straight.”
I folded my arms, glaring at her. “That’s your excuse? He said something you didn’t like, so you walked away while he was having a heart attack?”
Laura’s tears spilled over, and she covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I didn’t mean for it to go this far. It’s just… the stress, the pregnancy… I wasn’t myself.”
I sighed, the mention of her pregnancy pulling at my resolve. This wasn’t the first time she’d used it as a shield, and I hated that it worked.
“You can’t keep using the baby as an excuse, Laura,” I said, my voice softer but still firm. “This isn’t about you anymore. It’s about Grandpa. It’s about my family.”
She nodded, sniffling, using the back of her hand to wipe her tear–streaked face. “I know… I know I’ve messed up. Please, Jason, I’ll do better. I swear.”
I stared at her, torn between anger and guilt, I wanted to hold her accountable, to make her face the consequences of her actions.
But the sight of her crying, of her fragile state, and the way she placed her hand on her belly reminding me of the little one growing in there made it impossible.
“Just… go home, Laura,” I said finally, my voice cold. “I don’t want you here right now.”
She hesitated, searching my face for some sign of forgiveness. When she found none, she turned and walked away, her sobs echoing softly in the hallway.
As the doors closed behind her, I sank into one of the chairs burying my face in my hands.
I hated how easily she manipulated me, how her tears and apologies always seemed to sway me. She might be carrying a child, but that didn’t excuse what she’d done.
I heard the door creak open and I assumed it was Laura again. “Didn’t I tell you to go home?” I growled, my face darkened as I turned towards the door only to freeze when I saw Ava standing there with a puzzled expression on her face.
CHAPTER 048
