A Billionaire's Love: Rehearsed or Real?

Chapter 4 The Pain

"What! How could this happen?" When I realized what Lyon had just told me, it felt like the world was collapsing around me. Everything blurred, and the only thing I could hear was the phone call still echoing in my ears.

"Miss, Mr. Sherwood has suffered a brain hemorrhage and is in a coma. But the doctors say there's a high chance he'll wake up!"

"Right, Dad will wake up. He'll be fine!" I tried to reassure myself. At that moment, all I could think of was getting to my father's side as quickly as possible and praying that fate wouldn't be so cruel.

When I arrived at the hospital, I found my father lying in the bed. A crowd had gathered around him, including doctors, nurses, and the household staff.

Even though I had mentally prepared myself for this, seeing my father's eyes closed still made my tears spill uncontrollably.

"Dad!" I ran to him, and the people standing by his bed quickly moved aside to make room for me.

The next few days, I never left his bedside. Every time I felt his faint breath, my heart would tighten with fear.

Since the incident, I hadn't had a proper night's sleep. My eyes were bloodshot, but I couldn't afford to relax, afraid that death might take him away.

My mother, Eleanor, came to visit only once on the first day. She briefly checked the situation and then disappeared. Over these days, it was Ellie who had been by my side.

I heard that my mother was out handling company matters. After all, with my father, the head of Lorhaven's biggest real estate company, suddenly taken ill, my mother had to work hard to hold everything together.

"You're exhausted, miss. You should get some rest. I'll be here," Ellie said, her eyes full of concern.

I collapsed on the sofa in the hospital room, and Ellie covered me with a blanket. I was indeed exhausted, and before I knew it, I fell into a deep sleep.

I didn't know how long I had slept, but the shrill sound of the medical alarms jolted me awake. I heard frantic voices. "Help! Doctor! Doctor!"

I jumped up from the sofa and ran to my father's bed, a flood of horrible thoughts crashing into my mind.

I touched his hand—it was icy cold. My heart froze in response.

A few doctors quickly arrived. After examining him, they shook their heads with pity.

Their eyes filled with sympathy as they informed me of my father's passing.

I cried uncontrollably. If not for Ellie holding me up, I would have collapsed right there.

The funeral was somber and solemn. I saw many high-level executives and employees from my father's company there. I knew that many of them had been taken care of by him, but I also knew some of them saw this as an opportunity.

My mother, in a black mourning dress, looked haggard as she spoke with several company executives. Her face was filled with worry.

I overheard my mother complaining to them about how I had insisted on studying the arts, and now that my father was gone, the company was in chaos. No one could take the reins and ease her burdens.

I heard my father's former subordinates comforting her, assuring her they would help. No one seemed to notice me standing nearby, desperately restraining my sorrow.

Was I really wrong? Maybe... I should have listened to my father earlier, gotten involved with the company, and studied business like everyone expected.

Instead, I chased after this foolish dream of becoming a playwright!

Ellie noticed my distress. She walked up and gently rubbed my back. "Miss, it's not your fault. No one should be restricted by others' expectations of their life, right? No one could have predicted something like this."

I nodded, but the guilt in my heart didn't ease.

"Oh, Soraya!"

It was my cousin Daisy. She came up and gave me a hug. "Your father was an amazing man. We will all miss him dearly."

She then turned to embrace my mother. "Auntie!"

Daisy's expression was sorrowful, and she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief. "I really wish I could do something to help during such a difficult time."

My mother smiled warmly and took Daisy's hand, leading her to the group of executives. The gloomy look on her face disappeared. "Everyone, let me introduce you to my niece, Daisy. She's very talented in business, smart, and capable..."

Daisy stood next to my mother with a smug look, accepting the praise from everyone.

After the funeral, I sat in a corner, feeling dizzy and weak.

Daisy came over, noticing my discomfort. "Soraya, what's wrong?"

"Oh, I think it's just low blood sugar..." I realized my hands and feet were trembling, probably from the overwhelming sadness and the fact that I hadn't eaten since yesterday. I desperately needed something to eat, or I might lose consciousness.

I felt a cupcake pressed into my palm, along with Daisy's voice. "Poor thing. Just eat up."

I didn't think twice. My hands shook as I slowly brought the cupcake to my mouth. The cherry and cream on top reminded me of the cake my dad had made for me last year on my birthday. He was a terrible baker, but he was an amazing dad.

The sadness hit me again, and just as I was about to cry, I noticed that many guests had gathered around me, staring at me with surprised expressions. My mother was at the front, glaring at me with anger.

Before I could process what was going on, Daisy pushed her way through the crowd, looking at me in shock. "Oh my God, Soraya! I know you and Uncle had issues because of your choice to study the arts, but this is really too much!"