Reluctant Billionaire's Bride

CHAPTER2

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you coming, Meona muttered in a rush and left to go see her Father in the emergency ward where he was treated. Liam, unable to grasp what just happened kept gazing at the spot his gaze followed Meona until she was out of sight.

Her eyes were full of misery yet there was something comforting about them all at the same time. He looked at his hands and waved off the thought of giving this a meaning. His appointment was scheduled for 8:00 pm and it was about time he got moving.

Rina and her Mother drove the Carter's luxury Mercedes to the hospital, Rina has always loved her Father but she felt Meona has blinded her father that he never sees her but only speaks of Meona. The resentment burned deep within her.

Deeply, she wished Meona died with her mother in that car crash, she wished Meona never had a chance of survival, ever since that crash, Meona was brought into the Carter's Mansion and that was when Rina supposed misfortune started.

Meona's Mum knew Carter was having a love affair with his secretary, she had soon suspected after the countless nights he missed coming home. Whenever she seeked explanation from him, he always retorted that she has no right to question him or his whereabouts.

It all turned sour after she discovered his lover was having a baby, unable to bear the heartbreak, Cilia, Meona's Mum thought of no other thing than to leave the house, the house where Meona took her first steps as a baby.

She was willing to leave all of that and go far away from Carter. That particular day of the crash, Cilia had packed up necessary items for both herself and Meona, she dressed Meona up and carried her to the car when she tucked her in tightly at the back seat.

Cilia got into the car, tears streaming from her eyes, remembering the good times she had with Carter and the feeling of love that had once seemed unbreakable. She was lost in thoughts and her grip tightened against the wheels. Meona made a loud cry at the back seat and it jolted Cilia back to reality.

She continued driving, wishing all of these was a dream to wake up from, feeling this wasn't her reality. She was tired—tired of the lies, the heartbreak, the betrayal! She wouldn't take any more of it. Not from Carter and not from anyone. It was right there as she was about to make a U turn towards Johnson's Avenue, a car was fast driving and She didn’t notice the speeding car heading straight toward her until it was too late.

Cilia remembered Meona's screams, she cared less for her life and wanted to save that of her only daughter, she could feel the blood gushing from her head, her eyes struggling to see, her whole body felt numb, agony and grief engulfed her as she fell unconscious.

News reaches Mr Carter that his family just got into an accident and his daughter was safe but no news yet of Cilia. Mr Carter hearing this news was torn apart. Self-guilt engulfed him thinking he was the cause of it all. He was at the office as at that time and leaving everything behind he headed straight to the hospital they've been transferred to.

This cannot be happening Mr Carter spoke to himself, he didn't wish for any of these to be true, he loves Cilia and Meona was his adorable daughter. He couldn't lose all that in a twinkle of an eye. He soon reached the hospital and he was immediately directed to where Cilia was being treated.

He sees Cilia through the glass window, he could see the wools all stained with blood, the doctors were trying to save her. He has never seen Cilia in such a condition, Cilia was a vibrant lady, full of life and dreams, he couldn't believe his eyes. “Save Cilia, God," I'll make everything right again. Mr Carter didn't know when he uttered those words.

He immediately asked the nurse who directed him to Cilia about his daughter, Meona. “Follow me sir, she's in the children's ward.” The nurse replied as if trying to comfort Mr Carter. Meona was sitting peacefully on the little bed dressed in white and blue. There was a small vessel of flowers placed on the table beside her, she still had her toy Cilia had given to her that morning.

Mr Carter rushed to Meona, Meona was the perfect replica of Cilia, dark eyes, short blunt hair, pointy nose, long thick lashes, even though she was a child. Carter sat next to her on the bed and placed a peck on her forehead, his eyes scanning all over her to see if she was hurt in the slightest way, but Meona was in good condition with only a little scratch on her forehead that had been cleaned by the nurses.

Another nurse came in telling Mr Carter Cilia had called for him. Carter felt a sharp pain in his guts as he gulped deeply. How would he face Cilia, it was all his fault they were in this condition. Carter reluctantly stood up and placed another peck on Meona before leaving. He walked down the hallway following the nurses lead, they got to the ward where Cilia was transferred and the nurse shook her head in approval.

Carter walked into the room, Cilia's eyes were shot and he wondered if she was conscious. He couldn't believe his eyes, what has he done to his family? He questioned himself. He sat beside Cilia and picked up her hands, he pressed them slightly against his lips and muttered he was sorry. Cilia feeling the warmth of his hands slowly opened her eyes.

Her eyes were full of sorrow, she tried speaking but Carter told her not to strain herself and Meona was fine. “Meona, where is Meona, Cilia muttered weakly." Meona is fine, Cilia, I need to fight this, Cilia. “Car…car..ter, Carter, promise me you'll take care of our daughter, please promise me, she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Cilia was already losing breath and the doctors rushed in even before Carter could give a response.

Cilia, please, don’t—” Carter began, but before he could finish, the doctors rushed in, urging him to step outside. He left the room reluctantly, taking one last look at Cilia as her eyes closed, his heart heavy with the fear that he had lost her forever.

Back in the hallway, Rina rushed into the ward, her eyes landing on Meona, and it fuelled her hatred for her the most. Meona was lost in thoughts, thinking of her to save her father when she heard footsteps from behind her, it was Rina.

The two girls locked eyes—one filled with disgust, the other with fear for her father’s life. Though they shared the same blood and bore a striking resemblance, the di

vide between them seemed insurmountable.