A Night With The Ruthless Billionaire

I sit quietly by my mother's bedside, the hum of machines filling the room. Her pale face, framed by a mess of gray strands against the stark white pillow, feels like a haunting reminder of everything I've been fighting for—the reason I've kept going despite the chaos of my life.

"Mom," I whisper, squeezing her limp hand gently. "I don't know what to do."

The words feel empty, swallowed by the sterile stillness of the hospital room. My life feels like it's spiraling out of control, and no matter how much I try to steady myself, I can't seem to find my footing. Seeing Alex and Victoria together in that hallway, hearing her venomous words, watching his tense reaction—it's all burned into my memory.

"Why does it feel like no matter how hard I try, I just end up back where I started?" My voice cracks, but there's no one here to hear the confession.

I lean back in the chair, my hand instinctively moving to my stomach. A flicker of protectiveness rises within me, but so does fear. I don't know what kind of world I'm bringing this child into, and the weight of that realization is crushing.

I'm burning out every day I watch my mom lying in the hospital bed lifeless. I believe that things would have been so well with her by my side.

I had no family. The only family I have is my mom. Growing up, no one ever cares expect her. So, watching her condition deteriorating makes me feel worse.

I feel like giving up, and also ending everything that's just happening in a moment. But then, I need to stay alive for her. She needs me more than I need him.

A soft knock at the door jolts me out of my thoughts. I sit up, my pulse quickening.

The door creaks open, revealing a nurse with a warm but professional smile. "Miss Parker, the doctor will be here shortly to discuss your mother's progress."

I nod, managing a polite smile. "Thank you."

She leaves, and I settle back into the chair, attempting to calm the storm brewing inside me. My fingers trace slow, soothing circles on my stomach as if that simple motion could ease the growing unease I feel.

Just as my breathing starts to steady, muffled voices echo from the hallway.

Low. Sharp. Familiar.

I strain to hear, my heart racing as the voices grow louder, as I move closer to the door.

Alex.

"What are you doing here again, Victoria?" His tone is sharp, barely contained irritation simmering beneath his words.

I freeze. My chest tightens as I process what's happening. Why are they still here? Hope I've not landed myself into trouble?

"I could ask you the same thing," Victoria retorts harshly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Still playing savior to your little maid, Alex? How noble, and stupid you are."

Little maid. The words make me flinch, cutting through me like glass. She says them with such disdain, as if I'm nothing more than a speck in her carefully curated world. Anyway, it's not her fault. I guess.

"I told you to leave," Alex snaps, his voice rising with barely restrained anger. "You have no business being here."

"Oh, but you do," she counters sharply, her heels clicking closer to my mother's room. "I'm here to see why you're so distracted distracted. And to remind you what's at stake if you keep chasing this ridiculous fantasy."

My stomach twists into knots as their voices rise. I glance at my mother, her fragile form unmoving, her chest rising and falling so faintly it's almost imperceptible. I shouldn't get involved. I should stay here, quiet and invisible.

My eyes begin to look at every nook and cranny of the room, looking for where to hide. Then, I quickly run to the drug shelf. But in a second thought, I feel I was wrong for leaving my mom to hide from strangers. So, I came out. But the noise grows intense.

But I can't take it anymore.

I push the door open, stepping into the hallway. "Enough!"

Their heads snap toward me in unison. Alex's expression shifts from surprise to something I can't quite place, while Victoria's cold smile spreads wider.

"Well, there she is," Victoria says, her tone mocking. "The woman of the hour."

"This is a hospital," I say, my voice trembling slightly but gaining strength with every word. "Not your battleground. Take your argument somewhere else."

Victoria tilts her head, her icy blue eyes raking over me with thinly veiled contempt. "You're bold. I'll give you that."

"Victoria," Alex warns, his voice low, edged with frustration. "That's enough."

But she doesn't stop. She ignores him entirely, her gaze locked on me. "Tell me, Emma. Do you really think you belong in Alex's world? Or are you just pretending?"

Her words hit their mark, but I refuse to let her see the cracks they create. "I don't have to prove anything to you," I say, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me.

Her smirk falters for a split second before she recovers. "How charming. But let me give you some advice, sweetheart. Men like Alex don't stay with women like you. You're a distraction, nothing more."

"Victoria, stop," Alex growls, stepping between us.

But I don't need him to defend me. Not this time.

I take a step forward, meeting her gaze head-on. "You don't scare me, Victoria. Whatever control you think you have over Alex? It's slipping. That's why you're here, isn't it? Because you know he's already left you behind."

Her composed mask cracks. Her eyes narrow, anger flashing in them. She steps closer, her voice dropping to a venomous hiss. "When he breaks your heart - and he will - don't say I didn't warn you."

"Victoria, enough," Alex snaps. His voice is sharp enough to cut through the tension between us.

Victoria straightens, smoothing her blouse as if to regain her composure. "Fine," she says coldly. "But don't come crying to me when this all blows up in your face."

Her heels click angrily against the floor as she walks away, leaving behind an oppressive silence.

Alex turns to me, his expression softer now, almost hesitant. "Emma, can we talk?"

"No," I say, the word slipping out before I can stop it. "I can't do this, Alex. I can't keep being dragged into your world, your fights. It's too much."

He steps closer, his hands reaching for mine, but I pull back. "I need to focus on my mother. On my baby. I can't... I can't do this with you."

Pain flickers in his eyes, but he doesn't back down. "Emma, please. Can you at least tell me about the baby? Is it mine?"

"Not now," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "I need time."

Without waiting for his response, I turn and walk back into my mother's room, closing the door behind me.

---

Inside, I collapse into the chair, burying my face in my hands as tears spill over. How did my life become this?

The machines hum quietly, their steady rhythm mocking the chaos inside me. I look at my mother, her fragile form a stark reminder of everything I've been fighting for.

"Mom," I whisper through my tears. "I wish you could tell me what to do."

Her eyelids flutter. Just for a moment, but it's enough to make my heart leap.

"Mom?" I lean closer, hope blooming in my chest. "Can you hear me?"

Her fingers twitch against the blanket, and then, slowly, her eyes flutter open.

"Emma," she whispers, her voice faint but clear.

Tears stream down my face as I grasp her hand. "I'm here, Mom. I'm right here."

Her lips part as if she's about to say something more, but her body suddenly goes still. Her eyes close again, her breathing shallow.

"Mom?" My voice rises in panic. "Mom, wake up!"

I stumble out of the room, screaming for the doctor. A nurse rushes past me, followed by the doctor, their faces tense as they enter the room.

I hover outside the doorway, my heart pounding in my chest. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours as I wait, dread pooling in my stomach.

Finally, the doctor emerges, his expression grim.

"She's stable for now," he says. "But her condition is critical. We'll need to monitor her closely."

"How could her condition be critical?" I asked furiously. "She just spoke to me not quite long.

"Can we see in my office?" The Doctor asked, looking at me pitifully.

Then, I knew something terrible has happened, and Doctor was looking for a way to break the news. My thoughts were terrific at that moment. Rushing to where my mom is lying, the nurse grabs my hands telling me to follow the Doctor to the office. "Don't worry, everything will be fine. But you still need some rest." She said, rubbing my shoulder.

Relief washes over me, but it's short-lived. As I hastenly follow the Doctor, the nurse follows behind.

But then, I know things are not really okay, because nothing about my life has ever been simple. And this fight; it's far from over.