My Twin And Faincé Betrayed me...So I Married His Rival

Chapter 7

*Elena's POV*

“You can’t marry her because…” Richard started, his voice trembling with effort.

He suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit. His whole body shook violently, the monitors were beeping wildly as he struggled for air. The cough sounded raw and painful, like it was ripping him apart from the inside.

“Dad!” Liam shouted, panic flashing across his face. He rushed forward and grabbed his father’s hand. “Dad, breathe! Just breathe! I’m here!”

The old man kept coughing, gasping for air desperately. Liam’s voice cracked. “Someone help! Nurse! Doctor! Hurry!”

Within seconds, two nurses and a doctor rushed into the room, pushing equipment ahead of them. They moved fast, as if they had been expecting this exact emergency.

“Step back, sir,” one nurse said urgently. “We need room to work.”

Liam refused to move at first. “What’s wrong with him? Tell me! Is he going to be okay?”

“Sir, please leave the room immediately,” the doctor ordered, already attaching new tubes. “We need to stabilize him right now. The both of you need to leave now please”

I grabbed Liam’s arm tightly. “Liam, come on. Let them do their job. Please.”

He hesitated, his eyes locked on his father’s struggling form. “Dad… I’m right outside, okay? Fight this. You have to fight. I need you.”

The medical team gently but firmly pushed us out. The door clicked shut behind us. We stood frozen at the large glass window, watching helplessly as they worked inside.

I couldn’t stop staring at Liam. He pressed both his palms flat against the glass, leaning in so close that his forehead almost touched it. His shoulders were rigid, and his knuckles turned white from the pressure. Anyone could see how deeply he loved his dad. The fear in his eyes was raw and unguarded.

When I looked closer, he seemed incredibly lonely. Like his father was the only family he had left in this world. No siblings mentioned, no mother in the picture, just the two of them against everything. My heart ached for him.

He stayed completely silent, just watching with that intense, worried stare. His breathing was shallow and fast.

I couldn’t bear it any longer. I reached out and gently grabbed his arm.

“Liam… he’s going to be fine. This is the best hospital in the city. They have the top doctors and all the equipment they need. They’ll take very good care of him. I promise you.”

He nodded slowly, but no words came out. That small nod carried so much weight. I could feel some of the tension in his body ease just a fraction under my touch.

“Come on,” I whispered, sliding my hand down to take his fully in mine. “Let’s step away for a little while. You need some fresh air. Staying here staring won’t help him.”

I gently pulled him down the hallway and out of the hospital building. He walked beside me in heavy silence, still lost in his worry, his shoulders slumped.

“Let’s go get some food,” I said softly, trying to distract him. “I'm sure you have not had anything to eat since morning. You need strength too.”

“I’m not hungry,” he muttered, his voice low and drained.

I stopped walking and turned to face him, placing my hand protectively over my small bump. “Well, the baby is hungry. And if you want to be a good father, you have to start right now. You can’t let us both go hungry.”

A small, genuine smile finally broke through his lips. He bent down slowly, his large hand gently rubbing my tummy in slow, careful circles.

“Daddy is going to take such good care of you,” he whispered softly to my belly, his voice was thick with genuine emotion.