CHAPTER 6

Emily left to her own thoughts decided to head back to the hospital. She found herself missing Margaret’s warm presence, maybe it’s cause spending time with her had helped her forget her situation for a while.

She got to the ward and didn’t find her mother there, panic set in. She raced to the doctors office.

A soft knock on the door from Emily and she heard Doctor Maxwell’s voice. “Come in”.

She turned the door knob slowly and stepped in, trying to calm her frazzled nerves, she swallows hard, “Uhmm...Doctor? My mother, I....I came and she wasn’t there, did something happen?”

“Oh Emily,” he said. Don’t fret, “Your mother’s doing well, she has been transferred to a VIP room and all the medical bills have been cleared, didn’t you know this?”

Emily’s stunned silence betrayed her confusion. Lucas’s involvement was unmistakable, it had to be him, she thought. Memories of the contract she had signed without reading flashed in her mind.

She wasn’t in the mood to worry about that anyway. Her mother’s health was all that mattered, mum was fine so any sacrifice she had made was definitely going to be worth it.

“Sorry Doctor,” Emily apologized. “It escaped my mind for a moment there,” she said chuckling nervously.

“What’s the room number, please?” She asked feeling awkward that she was completely unaware of her mother’s room being upgraded, to a personal VIP ward at that.

“10th floor, VIP room 4,” Dr. Maxwell smiled warmly, his eyes tinged with pity, hinting at Emily’s oblivion of what was to come.

As Emily reached the 10th floor, luxurious surroundings and elite security caught her off guard. Outside VIP room 4, a suited guard blocked her path.

"Who are you?" Emily asked.

"Mr. Lucas's personal security. You must be Emily," he replied, stepping aside.

Emily's heart skipped a beat. What had she gotten herself into?

She stared at the man. Whose eyes where covered with shades. “What’s with the shades inside a hospital anyways”, she muttered under her breath, as she stepped in.

She scanned the room, her attention finally shifting to her mother’s pale-looking face. She felt her heart twist in pain, “She doesn't deserve all this,” Emily said, tears welling up her eyes.

She sat beside her mother's bed, holding her mother's hand that seemed unusually cold. The heart monitor beeped steadily, reassuring Emily.

"Mum...Emily whispered, please get well soon. I miss you. You have to be strong for me, for us" Emily pleaded, her voice cracking.

Minutes passed and Emily’s mother Lily remained unresponsive. Emily rummaged through her bag, finding her phone. She had put it off earlier, not wanting to speak to anyone especially her best friend Kayla. 

Turning it on, Emily was bombarded with missed calls and messages from Kayla, surprisingly she came across a text from an unknown number, it caught her attention.

Emily stared blankly at the phone, trying to decide what to do next. Could she call her best friend? And what would she say to her?

That she had gone ahead with the strip performance and was suddenly pulled out by a multi billionaire, who suddenly offers to pay her mother's medical bills and she had even successfully signed a fake marriage contract of over a year and she was yet to know the terms of the very contract.

Could she really say all of that, she thought to herself, how would Kayla react to all of this.

She went ahead to open the message from the unknown person and the contents were: 

It’s me Leo, CEO Lucas’s personal assistant. 

"You shouldn't mention this contract  to anybody, including your best friend. When you're ready, call me, I'll come pick you up and take you home. This is the CEO's order.”

Emily’s mind reeled. Could she still confide in her best friend. Should she reveal the shocking turn of events and how things had progressed to this?

The contracts secrecy clause, that she only just became aware of weighed heavily on her. What would Kayla think if she found out eventually?

Suddenly, Lily stirred, her eyes fluttering open slowly, trying to adjust to the lights.

“Emily?” Lily whispered, her voice weak and barely audible.

Emily’s heart swelled with emotion. “Mum!  You’re awake!”

Lily’s gaze drifted away from Emily, scanning the unfamiliar room.

“Em?” She called.

“I’m here, mother. I’ll get the doctor,” Emily replied rushing off, excitement and relief evident on her face.

Dr. Maxwell did a few checks and reassured Emily that her mother was doing fine…for now. She had missed the last part of his sentence.

“Thank you so much, Doctor”. Emily said.

Lily’s curious gaze locked onto Emily. Emily, what’s going on? Where am I?

Emily looked at her mother, she knew fully well what her mum was going to ask her, but she wasn’t sure she could properly explain all of it.

“Emily?” Her mother called. 

“It’s fine, mum. We’ll talk about all of this later. Your fine now, and that’s all that matters.” I’m so happy mother, so happy you remained strong for me,” Emily finished, tears flowing freely.

Lily’s worried expression deepened. “My child, why are you crying?”

Don’t mind me Mum, these are definitely tears of joy, she said smiling through the tears.

I’m so sorry for putting you through all of this, Emily. Lily whispered, a tear escaping her eyes rolling onto the pillow.

Emily’s voice filled with emotion. “It’s not your fault, Mum. Just focus on getting better, then I’ll be very happy. That’s really all I want.”

Lily’s fragile hand reached for Emily’s. Her gaze lingering on her daughter’s face. “I know something’s bothering you, Em. Tell me.”

Emily’s hesitation was evident. The tension in her body language was obvious.

Mum, please focus on recovering. We’ll talk about everything much later,” Emily said evading the question.

Lily’s eyes narrowed. “Emily, I can see it in your eyes. You’re hiding something. I can tell, you know... I’m your mother, Em.”

Emily’s thoughts raced.

How could she possibly tell her mother about the contract, what would she say?

Well Mum, “I’m married now, but guess what? It’s fake!!”

Emily couldn’t reveal the truth - that she had signed a marriage contract with a stranger she didn’t know because he had promised to cover the hospital’s expenses, which he apparently did. She didn’t want to add to her mother’s guilt.

“Mum already feels responsible for my problems,” Emily thought. “If she learns that I may have likely put my happiness on the line for her, it’ll break her”

Lily’s hand grasped Emily’s. “I want to know, Em. What’s going on”.

Emily’s resolve remained firm. “Trust me, Mother. It’s nothing I can’t handle.” She said.

Lily’s gaze lingered on her daughter, then she sighed in defeat. 

She knew Emily wouldn’t open up if she wasn’t ready to. 

“I wouldn’t burden her further,” Lily thought. 

So she resolved to waiting, she’d wait until Emily was ready to talk to her.

“Emily darling, no matter what’s going on with you, I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you.” Lily said, her voice gentle and reassuring.

“Thank you, Mum.” Emily said swallowing back the tears that threatened to fall.

Lily’s arms weakly enveloped her daughter in a warm hug. 

“You’re not alone, sweetie. We’ll face whatever it is together.”

Emily’s resolve crumbled. She buried her face in her mother’s shoulder, tears streaming down. 

As they held each other, Lily whispered. “Em, whenever you’re ready I’ll listen.”

Emily pulled back, her eyes watery. “I love you, Mum.”