CHAPTER 6
731 Words
Lexi's POV
The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the emptiness beside me. The space Julian had occupied was vacant, the sheets slightly rumpled, but there was no sign of him.
A dull ache seered in my chest as memories from the night before came rushing back—his touch, his whispers against my skin, the way he had held me like I was something precious.
It all felt like a dream as he was gone now.
I felt we were both drugged last night. I swallowed hard at the thought, forcing myself to sit up. My body was sore, a reminder of the intimacy we had shared, but there was no time to dwell on that. I came here for a purpose.
Grabbing my phone from the center table, I dialed my mother’s number, my fingers trembling slightly. It rang twice before Sarah's cold voice came through.
"I assume you have something to tell me."
I took a deep breath, gripping the sheets tightly against my bare upper body as if it's the only thing I could rely on. "Yes, I signed the contract. You promised me the money once it was done. Please, Mom, send it now. Dad doesn’t have much time..."
"Not yet." She interrupted.
I froze, my heart dropping. "What? Not yet? You said..."
"I said I’d send the money once you conceived. I need proof, Lexi. No pregnancy, no money." She cut me off mid-sentence again. Her words hit me like a slap.
"Mom, please," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I did what you asked." I… I signed the contract. Isn’t that enough?"
"Not until you give me what I want, will you get nothing."
Tears welled in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks. "You’re cruel," I choked out. "Dad could die, and you don’t even care."
"Don’t be dramatic. Find a way to get pregnant. Then we’ll talk."
The call ended.
I stared at my phone in shock, my fingers numb.
I had done everything Sarah demanded, yet it still wasn’t enough.
Wiping at my face, I stood abruptly, determined to leave. But as I reached for my clothes that had been arranged neatly, my gaze landed on a couch close to the city view. I found a black card lying on the clothes, along with a small folded note.
I picked it up and flipped it open.
"This is for your upkeep, wifey."
This must be Julian’s writing.
A strange warmth spread through my chest, but I quickly pushed it away. I didn’t have time to process whatever this meant. Right now, my father needs me.
I dressed up, clutched the black card and rushed out of the hotel.
And hailed a taxi going to the hospital.
*** ***
I hurried through the hospital corridors and had barely caught my breath when I reached my father’s ward, only to see nurses and doctors clustered around his bed.
My stomach dropped. What was wrong?
His body looked cold and almost lifeless as the medical staff worked frantically, their voices overlapping with urgent instructions. A nurse spotted me frozen at the doorway and rushed toward me.
"Miss Lexi, please wait outside—"
"No!" I cried, pushing forward. "Dad!" What’s happening to him?"
"He's currently being resuscitated."
The words barely registered before the loud, heart-wrenching sound of the flatline filled the room.
Dr Parker grabbed the defibrillator, pressing the paddles to his chest. "Clear!"
His body jerked.
Nothing.
'Again. Charge to 300!'
The machine beeped, another shock administered.
I clutched my chest, silent prayers pouring from my lips.
"Please dad!… please don’t die on me."
But the monitor remained flat.
One of the nurses turned to Doctor Parker with a tense expression. "Doctor…" He exhaled heavily and shook his head. "No response."
"No, no, try again please. "Don't give up on him," I screamed at the top of my voice, rushing to my father’s side. "Try again! Please!"
Doctor Parker simply just glanced at the clock, then lowered his gaze. "Time of death...9:37am"
"NO!"
My knees buckled as I collapsed against the bed, gripping my father’s lifeless hand. His warmth was already fading, slipping from my grasp like water through my fingers.
My shoulders shook as a heart-wrenching sob tore through me.
I had been too late.
I had done everything, yet it wasn't
t enough.
I couldn't save my father.
He's gone.
- Writer
