Billionaire Twin Secret

Chapter Two: The Hard Choices We Had To Make

Bridget? I realized he was talking about my Twin sister. Is he her fiance? I was brought out of my thoughts when my phone rang. I picked the call, and it was my client. I looked at the man standing before me, who was staring at me with an unreadable expression.

“Thank you for saving me.” I didn’t wait for his response before I turned back and started walking away.

I stepped out of the club house, and headed straight to the car park, but not without taking out my phone to research Cole's family, something I hadn’t done in a long time.

And there it was, the news about her marriage, with the picture of the man that saved me some minutes ago. I closed down the tab that displayed the article, and concluded that it’s none of my business again. But my mind wandered to my father. Would he help me if I told him about my mom?

By the time I was done with my work, I was already too tired to cook, so I went straight to bed. At exactly 4am, I got a call from the hospital that my mom was in a critical condition. I rushed down to the hospital in tears, hoping what I feared the most had not befallen me. I reached the ICU, but I was told it’s not visiting hours yet, that I should speak with her doctor instead.

I met with her doctor, and he told me she was stable at that moment.

He said she had a pulmonary infection. Though some antibiotics had been administered on her before I got there, he told me her immune system was already weak and I have to prepare the money before the weekend, so they could start her chemo immediately so her infection gets better.

He allowed me a special pass to the ICU, so I could see my mom.

The moment I saw my mother, I decided to leave my pride behind and go to him, the man I hate to call my father. 


******

I was standing at the gate to his estate for over thirty minutes, while contemplating if I was making the right decision or not. I paced back and forth thinking of the possible scenarios that’d unfold when I step into that house. I came to two conclusions, it’s either he rejects me like he did in the past, and says he can’t help a stranger. Or he might consider how my mother helped him in the past and help us out.

I pressed the doorbell twice, nervously, with trembling hands.

The door opened, and I was met with a frowning face.

“Who are you? Why do you look so much like madam Bridget?” She asked, eyeing me from head to toe.

I didn’t look so much like her, we were practically identical.

“Maybe we’ll find that out if you let me in,” I winked at her, smiling afterwards.

She cleared her throat and let me in.

The moment I stepped into the living room, everyone turned their heads in my direction; Daniel Cole, Clara Cole, and Bridget Cole.

“What are you doing here!?” Clara shouted. She fit into the criteria of ‘the wicked stepmother’ even though she’s not my stepmother.

“I’m here to see you.” I pointed to Daniel, hoping the fact that my hands were shaking wasn’t visible.

Clara stood up and walked towards me, “I thought my husband made it clear that he wants nothing to do with you.” she said, her red lips shaking in anger.

I stepped further away from her, “I know, I didn’t want to come here too, but my mom is in a critical state as we speak.” I lowered my head, not because I was afraid but because I was embarrassed.

“And what does her condition got to do with us?” Bridget said, while painting her nails. That rude brat.

“I need money. I don’t know if you can lend me some.” How shameless of me.

“Gwen, the fact that you walked in here like you are entitled to our money is shameless.” Clara said, her chest falling and rising from anger.

“I may not be entitled to your money but I don’t think that’s the case for him.” I pointed to Daniel, waiting for his reaction.

He cleared his throat and looked away.

Clara spoke in his place, “See, you are not entitled to his money either. Because you were not meant to be born in the first place.” She pointed out.

“Thank you for reminding me in such a nice manner, Clara.” I refused to show how bad her words had stung me.

“Just leave, and don’t show your face around here again. We don’t want the reporters snooping around to catch a whim of you.” Daniel finally said.

Then I did what I had least expected myself to do—I went on my knees. I really hope they’d listen if they have any ounce of humanity in them.

“My mom is dying….” I said, not surprised at how solemn my voice was.

“She has cancer, it’s at the third stage. And her chemo has to start latest by next week. Given my circumstances, there’s no way I can get the amount they need to kickstart her treatment. So please…..help me.” By the time I was done talking tears were streaming down my face already.

“Dad, mom, just give her some money and let her leave. She’s so annoying.” Bridget said, without taking her eyes away from her nails.

“We can’t just give her money like that. You know what poor people do; you help them and they keep coming back for more.” Clara said as she went to sit close to her daughter.

I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that she was able to love Bridget as her daughter while I’m just a pest in her eyes. And my father? He was just a puppet to his wife, he knew his life was over once Clara turned her back on him. But there are days, I wished he’d even come check on me secretly, but he never did. So I guessed he wasn’t being compelled to hate me—he naturally hated me.

“I’m not asking you to give me the money, I want to borrow it. I’ll do whatever it takes to pay you back.” I pleaded desperately.

“Are you sure she won’t die regardless even if you pay for her treatment? It’s stage three Gwen, she’s good as dead.” Clara said nonchalantly.

And that was it, I could stand them talking down on me but not on my mother. I was yet to give up on my mother, who was she to write her off just like that?

I stood up, ready to tell them to go f**k themselves with their money when Bridget suddenly screamed and threw her phone across the room.

“Why do I have to get married to that loser? Why does it have to be me?” She screeched, breathing heavily in anger.

Did I just miss my chance to let them know they can do whatever they want like I don’t care because of her tantrum? f**k!

“Baby, calm down, we don’t have any choice than to comply.” Her mother tried to calm her down.

“No mom, I’ve been stuck at home for over a week because of that loser. Anywhere I go I see reporters throwing questions at my face. “Why do you want to marry him? Are you sure he’s the one for you? Will you be fine getting married to a failed billionaire?” Of course I’m not fine, the fact that the news and our pictures are everywhere is driving me crazy.” She let out a frustrating sigh.

“Mom, I really can’t marry Alex. My life will be miserable if I do, do you really want that for me?” She started crying.

I looked at Daniel, and I wished he looked at me the same way he was looking at her when she was complaining.

“I will take my leave now.” I said, since I figured I lost my chance to leave gracefully with pride.

I was about to turn and leave when I heard, “I’m not meant to be in this type of situation, She’s supposed to be married to someone like Alex not me,” from Bridget.

I pushed back the desire to roll my eyes at her statement.

“Excuse me.” I raised my hand so that their attention could be on me.

“Not to be rude, but I think you did a poor job raising your daughter. You…”

“What!?” Clara exclaimed.

“You think the fact that you are rich will make you have a smooth life? Just because you are getting married to a failed billionaire, you are acting like the biggest calamity has befallen you. Just embrace it sweetheart, there are people out there having it worse than you. So, stop being a brat and shut the f**k up.” My prideful words. Maybe I shouldn’t have said them.

“Why don’t you marry Alex in place of Bridget, Gwen.” Daniel said, his expression was so serious that I could tell he wasn’t joking.

“And why would I do that, Mr Cole?” I asked, letting my eyes tell him how ridiculous he sounded.

“Because, I’ll pay for your mother’s treatment if you do.”