Chapter 55

Lewis's phone buzzed, shrill in the silence. He opened his eyes, his gaze falling on the caller ID. His expression changed, his eyes widening in surprise. He quickly picked up the call.

"Mr. Evan," a voice said on the other end. "It's Bella. Mrs. Evan is not taking her medicine. Could you please come? She's been stubborn these days."

Lewis's demeanor shifted instantly, his personal turmoil pushed aside for the moment. "I'm coming," he said, his voice firm and concerned.

He ended the call and quickly got into his car. He started the engine and began the long drive to his mother's house, far from the cliff where he had been standing. His mind was now focused on his mother's well-being, and he pushed aside his own problems to attend to hers.

Lewis's car pulled up to the grand entrance of the luxury estate, and the butler hurried to open the door for him. He stepped out, his eyes scanning the surroundings before he walked into the mansion. His long strides carried him straight to his mother's room.

As he entered, he was met with chaos. His mother, Lauren, was shouting and throwing things, her face red with agitation. The staff tried to calm her down, but she was having none of it. Lewis's grandfather, a stern-looking old man, stood by, his face set in a determined expression.

"Tied her," his grandfather barked, his voice cold and unforgiving.

But before anyone could move, Lewis's commanding voice cut through the room. "STOP! Don't you dare touch my mother."

The room fell silent, and his grandfather turned to him, their eyes locking in a cold stare.

Lewis slowly walked towards his mother, who was standing near the window, her eyes wild and unfocused. "Mom, you need to calm down," he said, his voice soft and gentle.

But Lauren looked at him, her expression vacant. "Who are you?" she said, her voice laced with confusion. "I am not your mom."

Lewis's heart ached as he looked at his mother, her eyes clouded by the fog of Alzheimer's. He knew she wasn't herself, that the disease was slowly taking away the woman he loved. He took a deep breath and tried to stay calm, his focus on comforting her, on being there for her, no matter what.

"Stay away from me!" Lauren shouted, her eyes flashing with fear and confusion. But Lewis continued to walk slowly towards her, his hands held out in a calming gesture.

Suddenly, Lauren's hand closed around a fruit knife on the nearby table. Everyone in the room panicked, their voices rising in alarm. Albert, Lewis's grandfather, stepped forward, his voice firm. "Stop this madness, Lauren! He is your son!"

But Lauren refused to believe him. She brandished the knife, her eyes wild and unpredictable. Lewis's voice remained calm and soothing. "Mom, just calm down. You'll hurt yourself. Give me the knife."

But Lauren was beyond reason. She waved the knife erratically, her body tense and agitated. Nurse Bella saw her chance and quickly distracted Lauren, creating a brief moment of confusion. That's all Lewis needed. He swiftly moved in, grabbing Lauren's wrist and carefully prying the knife from her hand.

Lauren tried to free herself, her body struggling against Lewis's grip. Nurse Bella quickly stepped in, administering a sedative to calm Lauren down. Slowly, Lauren's body relaxed, her muscles losing their tension.

Lewis held her close, his arms wrapping around her as he guided her to the bed. He gently laid her down, his face etched with concern. Lauren's eyes fluttered closed, her breathing slowing as the sedative took effect. Lewis's gaze lingered on her face, his heart heavy with love and worry for his mother.

****

The dinner table was set with fine china and crystal glasses, but the atmosphere was tense. Lewis and Albert sat in silence, the only sound the soft clinking of utensils against plates. Albert finally broke the silence, his voice gruff.

"For how long are you going to stay away, Lewis? I'm sorry, okay? Whatever happened, I accept it's my fault. Now, leave this stubbornness and join Miller Corporation. This company needs you."

Lewis continued eating calmly, his expression unreadable. Albert's words hung in the air, but he didn't react. Albert pressed on, his voice persuasive. "What do you think of buying a company that's already in a bankruptcy position? You're the only heir of the Miller family, Lewis. You have to handle this legacy."

Lewis looked up, his eyes locking onto his grandfather's. His voice was calm, but his words were laced with bitterness. "First, I'm an Evans, not a Miller. My dad had nothing to give me. I got everything by myself. And now, when you don't have anyone to take forward your legacy, you remember us now?"

Albert's face fell, but Lewis continued, his words pouring out like venom. "You're the major reason why my mom left my father when I was just a month old. Do you have any idea what my dad and I suffered? You abandoned us, and now you want me to come back and take over the company?"

The room fell silent, the tension between them palpable. Lewis's words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the past and the pain that still lingered. Albert's face was pale, his eyes avoiding Lewis's gaze. The dinner table, once a place of warmth and connection, had become a battleground, the wounds of the past laid bare.

"I don't want your company as charity. Whatever I do, I'll do it on my own terms. You're also responsible for my mother's condition. You've ruined everyone's lives for your own gain, and you'll have to pay for it, whether you like it or not."

Lewis's words hung in the air, his voice firm and resolute. He pushed his chair back and stood up, his eyes locked on his grandfather's. Albert's face was pale, his eyes wide with a mix of anger and fear.

Without another word, Lewis turned and walked away, leaving Albert sitting alone at the dinner table. The sound of his footsteps echoed through the room, a stark reminder of the finality of his decision.