Tipping the scale

“I am a terrible mother.” I said, as I turned to Kan.

“Honey.” He winced, looking at me in resignation. 

I had said this for the hundredth time at this point, even after the doctors told me Oliver would be fine, 

and Kan had reassured me it was no one’s fault,

that toddlers would be toddlers.

“We were there with him.” Kan said. “Oliver has never been neglected.”

“He has. That is the only reason our son would choke right there in my presence.” I said, biting my thumb.

“You looked away for just one second.” Kan said.

He was right. But I still could not help but blame myself. 

Instead of taking care of my son I was out there plotting revenge, and business take-over, and arguing with his selfish deceitful father.

I felt Kan walk up behind me and enveloped me in a hug.

My shoulders sagged, and for the first time, I burst into tears. 

Times like these, I felt so tired I just wanted to give up.

But I could not. My son will always be in danger even if we decide to stop fighting and just go into hiding. 

He was the real heir according to Mr Tucker’s original will, the whole Tucker knew it, and would kill him just for that, whether we had an interest in the position or not.

“Oliver will be fine.” Kan said, hugging me more tightly when he noticed I did not pull away. 

It was crazy how close we had become in the last few months, from mere strangers in a contract marriage.

I turned to look at him, suddenly remembering.

This must be hard for him too. Since that time he lost his twin..

“Are you Ok?”

Kan smiled sadly at Ariel as he stared into her emerald green eyes. 

This was the exact reason he had fallen for this woman. 

Watching her from the point she had the baby, just painfully pointed out how the trauma from his own childhood was not normal at all.

And even when he had been a cold bastard to her, Ariel was the only person who truly cared for him. 

Not because of what he represented to her, or what he owned.

She stepped out of his embrace, and he tried not to wince as his heart broke.

He just wanted to get her back to that time when she was still open to having more than just a contract marriage with him.

“I am Ok.” He said finally.

She nodded and went to stand at a distance, glancing at him a few times.

His heart stopped anytime she turned her eyes to him.

She was the most beautiful woman he had seen in years. 

Her beauty seemed to have suddenly bloomed after she had Oliver. 

He shook his head. 

Now was not the time. They had to make sure Oliver was well, and came out of this fine.

He heard the sound of high heels walking down the hallway, and was shocked to see Eleanor walking up to him.

“Chairman.” She greeted, with a smile.

“How did you know I was here?” He frowned confusedly at her.

Ariel glanced at them. 

Eleanor bowed to her. 

Ariel’s eyes looked confused for a few seconds, like she could not really see her.

Then she smiled apologetically. “Hello, Ms Santos,” then she looked away again.

“How did you know I was here?” Kan repeated, feeling a little irritated. 

Although Eleanor had been his childhood friend, and assistant all his life, he did not appreciate her showing up in his private hours. 

Especially now that he had a family.

“I tried to reach you, but all your contact numbers have been unavailable.” Eleanor said quietly, a little hurt at his tone.

“What do you want?” He asked, his irritation growing, even though he felt a little ashamed at how he was reacting to her.

But he could not help his growing discomfort. 

He did not like having her around Ariel. 

He wanted to keep both women as far as possible from each other. 

If there was anyone who could spoil his chances with Ariel, it was Eleanor.

“Your sister-in-law tried to sell your nephew’s shares to the Tuckers a few hours ago.”

“What?”

Ariel turned to them, and looked at him inquiringly. 

He smiled tightly and shook his head. She smiled back sadly, and looked away again.

“Why did you not tell me sooner? Did she manage to do it?” His questions rushed out as he balled his fist. 

He was going to kill that silly woman!

Everyday she made the promise he made to his late brother harder to keep. 

He had swore never to hurt her, no matter how annoying she got, for his poor nephew’s sake. But if she continued behaving this way..

“Which do you want me to answer first?” Eleanor’s voice broke into his thoughts.

Kan frowned at her. 

He was not a man quick to anger, but she was pulling him there.

“I’m sorry.” Eleanor corrected quickly. “That is why I came here when you were unreachable. I managed to stop the transaction before she could sign the shares over.”

“Those Bastards!” Kan cursed, as he thought of the sneaky Tuckers. He should have known they would try to tip the scale again so soon.

Ariel turned suddenly.

“I will go get some water.” She said walking towards them. 

She looked so tired, his heart squeezed.

“Let me get it for you.” He offered.

“No, just stay close to Oliver.” She said, and glanced back at the ward where Oliver was now resting with an oxygen tube attached to his nostrils.

Kan nodded, and she turned and began to walk away.

I heard commotion as I neared the vending machine. 

The voices of panic, mixed with the sound of an ambulance I suspected had just arrived.

“The child has such a nasty cut on her head, I hope she survives.” A nurse said to her colleague as they walked past me into an office.

I sighed and looked away. 

It seemed my Oliver was not the only child who had had a bad accident that night. 

I hoped whoever this child was came out fine. 

I could not even imagine what her parents were going through right now. 

I grabbed a bottle of water and drank deeply, my whole body shaking from intense exhaustion.

It was way past midnight. 

I leaned my head against the vending machine to steady my dizzy head for a few minutes. 

I did not know how long I had stayed there, when I heard sobs not very far away. 

I opened my eyes, shocked, but walked out to see who it was.

That part of the hospital was quiet, and the light was dim. 

It looked out to the paved driveway bordered with flowers.

It was a man, and his shoulders shook from his tears.

I stopped some distance away from him.

I was not sure I wanted to bother a man who had come out to cry in private. 

But I was uncertain what bad news he had heard at this hospital, and his tears squeezed my heart.

I stood there for a few minutes, and was turning to go back to the building, away from the chilly air when the man turned suddenly.

“Blaine?” I said in shock. 

His eyes were red like blood.