Love x betrayal

Chapter 25 : Mom's coma

Sadie sat on the couch, staring at Jake, her mind still reeling from their intense conversation about his parents. Jake had just revealed some deeply personal things about his family, but his cryptic responses had left her with more questions than answers.

“I never knew your parents were like that,” Sadie said softly, unsure of how to process the information. “It must have been… lonely.”

Jake looked at her for a moment, his expression hard to read. Then, without warning, his face softened. “I don’t want to talk about them anymore, Sadie,” he said, standing up. “I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” Sadie asked, confused by the sudden shift in tone. She watched as Jake walked towards the door, motioning for her to follow him.

“Come on,” he said with a faint smile. “You’ll want to see this.”

Sadie hesitated, still feeling uneasy from their earlier conversation. But Jake’s calm demeanor stirred her curiosity, and despite her doubts, she found herself standing and following him outside.

They drove in silence, the car’s engine humming steadily as they left the house and headed towards an unfamiliar part of town. Sadie glanced at Jake occasionally, trying to figure out what he was up to, but his expression remained unreadable.

After what felt like an eternity, they pulled up in front of a large mansion. It looked old but well-kept, its high gates and grand architecture giving off an air of mystery and importance.

“Where are we?” Sadie asked, her voice laced with confusion and apprehension.

Jake smiled slightly, turning off the engine. “You’ll see.”

He got out of the car, walking around to open her door. Sadie stepped out, her heart beating faster with every step as they approached the grand entrance. Once inside, they walked through a series of lavish hallways before finally stopping in front of a heavy oak door.

Jake placed his hand on the doorknob but didn’t turn it immediately. He glanced at Sadie, his eyes serious. “What I’m about to show you… it’s not easy to see. But you need to know.”

Sadie felt a knot tighten in her stomach. “Jake, what are you talking about?”

Instead of answering, Jake pushed open the door. Inside was a room filled with medical equipment, the quiet hum of machines filling the air. In the middle of the room, lying on a pristine hospital bed, was a woman. Her face was pale, her eyes closed, and she appeared to be sleeping, though the machines monitoring her told a different story.

Sadie’s breath caught in her throat. She felt her legs weaken as she realized who the woman was.

“Mom?” she whispered, stepping closer, her voice trembling. “Is this… is this really my mom?”

Jake nodded, his face somber. “Yes. She’s been in a coma for the past five years as I already told you. After she had an accident… she fell into this state. She’s been here ever since.”

Tears welled up in Sadie’s eyes as she approached the bed. Her mother’s hand was limp, cold to the touch, and the reality of the situation hit her like a wave. Jake wasn't lying, but now here she was—alive, but trapped in a state between life and death.

Jake’s expression softened as he walked toward her. “Your mother didn’t want you to see her like this. She wanted to protect you. Though your dad didn't let her, she got into coma when you were about 5 years ago because of an accident.”

Suddenly, the door opened again, and an elderly man slowly entered the room, supported by a cane. Sadie turned, her eyes widening in recognition.

“Great-grandpa?” she whispered.

The frail man gave her a weak smile, his eyes filled with warmth and sadness. “Sadie… it’s been too long i haven't seen u since your birth.”

He made his way to her side, sitting in the chair beside the bed. His hand, worn and shaky, gently covered Sadie’s. “I know this is a lot for you to take in, but you had to know. Your mother… she fought hard to protect you, even like this but your dad didn't let us.”

Sadie looked between her great-grandfather and her mother, tears streaming down her face. “Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner? I’ve been in the dark this whole time until Jake told me. How could you keep this from me?”

Her great-grandpa sighed, his voice heavy with regret. “It was your mother’s wish. She didn’t want you to carry this burden before you were ready. But now, there are other things you need to understand.”

Sadie wiped her tears, looking at him through blurry eyes. “What other things?”

Her great-grandfather’s expression grew serious. “Your inheritance, Sadie. The legacy of our family. Your mother was the last one to hold the family’s power, and with her in this condition, you are now the heir to everything.”

Sadie frowned, “oh the inheritance.”

“There are people who would take everything from us if you don’t step up,” her great-grandpa said, his voice steady despite his frail appearance. “The estate, the businesses, the influence—all of it is yours now. But if you don’t claim it, others will. And they won’t be kind.”

Sadie’s heart pounded as she absorbed his words. “But I don’t care about money or power. I just want my mom back. I don’t want any of this.”

Her great-grandpa gave her a sad smile. “I know, child. But sometimes, we don’t get to choose the roles we are given. Your mother wanted to protect you from all of this, but now, it’s time for you to take your place.”

Sadie turned back to her mother, her heart aching. “But I don’t know how to do any of this.”

“You’ll learn,” Jake said, stepping closer to her. “And you won’t have to do it alone. I’ll help you.”

Sadie looked up at him, her emotions a whirlwind of grief, confusion, and anger. She didn’t know how to feel about Jake, or this new reality she was being thrust into. But as she stood there, holding her mother’s hand, one thing became clear—her life would never be the same again.

Her great-grandpa’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Sadie, your mother believed in you. She knew you would be strong enough for this. And you are.”

Sadie swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. She didn’t feel strong. But looking at her mother, lying there, helpless and silent, she knew she had to be.

“I’ll try,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “But I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You’ll do it,” Jake said firmly, his eyes locking with hers. “You’re stronger than you think.”

As the room fell into silence once more, Sadie knew that this was only the beginning of a new chapter in her life—one filled with responsibilities she had never asked for, and truths she was only beginning to understand.