2. UNEXPECTED OFFER

“Oh dear, I’d be happy to help if I could, but things are really tough right now. I’ll send you money as soon as I have any. Is that okay?" Kayla said soothingly, and I sighed rubbing my hurting head.

My eyes were sore from crying, and when I was informed that Liam had fallen into a coma a few days after I was kicked out of our estate, I resorted to calling my only friend in Atlanta. She was my last chance in this overwhelming situation, and her response intensified my fears.

“What about the life insurance for Liam? Why not withdraw from there?" She suggested.

I ran my hands through my hair and said, “Life insurance?"

“Yeah" she responded.

“Th--Thank you Kayla" I stuttered, hanging up the call. I was too broken to continue the conversation.

Liam's life insurance was a secret I had only told Kayla, and I had constantly hidden to save the money for three years. The plan was never to withdraw now, not when my child was just three years old but currently my hands were tied.

Pacing around his bed, Kayla's suggestion began to make sense to me. I stared at his pale face one more time, wired with a nasal cannula and I began to tear up again.

“Stay with me, Liam. Don't leave me, if you do I might as well die myself. You're the only family I have..." I said tearfully, rubbing my palms on his fingers that had begun to grow cold.

I saw his index and middle finger move weakly and my eyes lit. Quickly, I dipped my hand into my leather jacket, bringing out my phone and scrolling past different contacts to search for the insurance company.

My baby's hand just moved, there was a chance. There was literally a chance to save his life!.

“Hello, Scarlett Dermott speaking" I uttered the moment the call was taken.

The receiver at the other end said, “How are you doing ma'am? How can we help you?"

“I need a withdrawal for my son. I started his insurance three years ago. It's urgent, can you help me please?" I questioned breathlessly, and when I heard the agent sigh my heart skipped a beat.

Was my plan going to be futile?.

“Your policy number ma'am" he requested.

My trembling hand scrolled through the notepad in my phone. I had saved the number there in case of emergencies.

“IN9867543210P" I blurted.

“I was sure, I just needed confirmation" I heard him mutter.

I was confused and I had to ask him, “Sure of what?"

“I'm sorry ma'am but your husband withdrew all the money last week. I apologize for the inconvenience"

“ALL?" I protested loudly, but the call was already disconnected.

I fell weakly to the floor, gritting my teeth and digging my fingers in my thighs. I was done for. Why did everyone choose to betray me this way? Our Attorney Carlo also joined the lot. There was no other way Richard would have gotten access to the money without his legal help.

I grabbed my bag giving one last stare at Liam. He was such a poor baby, abandoned and mistreated by his father.

Groaning, I walked out of the ward and the hospital almost in a run. I wasn't sure I was in my right frame of mind but I needed to see Carlo. His betrayal hurt me so deep. My son's life insurance was my very last hope.

In twenty five minutes, I was at Success Chambers. It seemed very busy today but I marched to Carlo's office, my heels clinging on the marble floor, my eyes stinging from tears.

‘Click!'

This was the very moment I hated to be a public figure. I was sure majority of the people around me had taken a photograph of the teary me, but I didn't care. I needed to save my baby's life. My mind was occupied with lashing at my family lawyer who took away my last source of hope.

Pushing his half closed door in a force, I sauntered in and met the piercing gaze of Carlo and another young man, his client. I guess. The shock of me barging in was written all over their faces.

“How could you?" I shrieked.

Carlo seemed confused.

“Get a grip of yourself, Mrs. Dermott. What's wrong? You just disrupted my session with my client"

I banged his table to the surprise of his so-called client.

“I trusted you. I trusted you Carlo, but you went ahead to give Richard access to my child's insurance. Why? What for? Why would you freaking do that?!" I seethed in anger.

Carlos swallowed before he uttered, “Richard demanded for legal documentation. He claimed both of you discussed that, he is your husband and Liam the son of you both. How would I know it was for his selfish reasons?"

I stared at the ceiling, hoping to restrain my tears from pouring down my face.

“My child is ill, seriously ill in the hospital!. The life insurance was my last hope, you know how it is with Richard. You know he--" I made to say Richard is in charge of my savings, but I stopped abruptly reminding myself of the presence of an external body.

Carlo was downcast. He rubbed his temples ceaselessly, wearing the face of a guilty man. Ofcourse, he was hapless like I am. No one would dare refuse Richard's order, he was well respected in the state. Maybe it wasn't entirely Carlo's fault, but he would have placed a call to me. Now, I was stuck. I had no hope for money and my child might end up dying.

Carlo left his seat, and the young man on black suit with gelled hair whispered that he needed to leave. He would be back some other time. He walked in slow pace towards Carlo's door.

That instance, Carlo muttered, “I'm sorry, Mrs. Dermott. I won't intentionally betray you. I admit I was wrong" he buried his head.

I chuckled loudly, “Well, you did betray me and posterity won't forgive you and Richard if Liam dies!" I remarked, sweeping my tear-streaked hair to the side.

As I turned to walk out of the office, I was taken aback to see Carlo's client still in the room, staring at me. I quickly approached the partly opened door and grasped the knob to create more space.

Just then, he spoke in a deep voice, "What if I offer to help?" and our eyes locked.