002

Vivian POV

I had flagged down a cab to the hospital, it wasn't the same as the one where I went for check- ups and within minutes, I arrived, my hair disheveled which made me attract a lot of stares but I cared less. My mother was my utmost priority at the moment and other things were second to it. Ever since my father had taken in another wife, he became distant to me and my mother and when I had stubbornly agreed to marry Max, he swore never to have anything to do with me. My mother fell sick and was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I had handled her chemotherapy bills with the money Max paid me as his secretary but right now, I've spent every penny I had for her medications.

Should I ask Max for money? Would he even give me? I was yet to pay him back the hundred thousand dollars I borrowed from him with the excuse that I wanted to use it to fund my best friend's business.

Max had no idea about my sick mom because I didn't tell him. He already saw me as a burden and there was no need adding to it.

As soon as I got to the ward where my mom was admitted, I looked around but didn't find my best friend that texted me rather an unexpected person standing behind the door.

Wait. What was she doing here? Her mother had sent her to inspect my mom again?

"What are you doing here Mary?" I asked my stepsister sharply, not liking her presence one bit. I hated her. Mary and her mother had manipulated my father against us, he willed all assets to them without batting an eyelid at his own legitimate wife and daughter.

"It's not a bad thing to visit your Mom, is it dear sister?" She asked, sarcasm laced through her voice and I clenched my fists together, suppressing my own anger from flaring up.

Taking a long breath I decided to ignore her. I walked past her towards my mother who lay on the bed, eyes shut in oblivion as I took her hands in my palms massaging them and wondering why Sofia had sent me that text.

Where could she be?

"You know, soon enough, you'll join your pathetic mother as well, it would be so satisfying to see you both suffer" Mary sneered with contempt and in that moment, I couldn't tolerate the insolence anymore. I hated it when anyone insulted my mother, it might be fine with me but not my mom.

Slap! I gave her a momentary dose of my anger and she staggered back in shock, her jaw hung open, her eyes widening with both surprise and pain of my hit.

"You dare hit me Vivian?!" She spoke out with a pain filled voice, her eyes almost brimming wet. I knew I had hit her hard and I had no regrets about it.

I was already fed up with their antics!

"I do not condone anyone that insults my mother Mary, Get out!" I snapped, still furious. Right now, I felt like yanking her hair off but I held on, it would do no good giving in to my juvenile feelings.

"I'll make you pay, just watch!" She threatened and stormed out angrily, slamming the door shut behind her. The sound shook the wall and I sighed as I sat beside my mother. According to the doctor, chemotherapy was more or less helping her health anymore and the cancer had spread severely and she had been unconscious for three days now which required immediate surgery.

"Mom, I'm so sorry you had to go through this" I began, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

"You're the reason I keep going Mom, please just get better. My marriage has not been the best so far, I lied, Max doesn't love me" Tears spilled down my cheeks, my mind reprieved. All the strong resolve I have already weakened.

Was there even any need pretending anymore when she was in a state like this?

"Ruth is back into his life and I have this feeling that we'll be drifting apart soon, I just want you to be healthy so we can live together." I sobbed silently, pressing tightly against her palms.

One....two.... Three.... Her fingers moved against mine and I jerked, shifting my gaze to her face and was surprised to see he was already awake.

"Mom!" I squinted with excitement, my eyes lit up already with gladness as she smiled weakly at me not until I noticed the tiny flecks of tears forming in her eyes.

" He doesn't love you?" Her voice etched with pain and the tears finally rolled down her cheeks.

Fuck! I hated to see my mother cry. I hated to see her in a miserable state. Only if I could just make it all go away.

"Mom, I'm sorry I lied to you all these while. I didn't want you to worry about me when you were sick. I'm sorry I lied Mom" I said, my voice trembling as I tried to hold in my own emotions from spilling but it was null as my own tears gushed down, spilling on the white bedsheets. For three years, I had always told my Mom that I was happy with Max. I had given a facade of fulfillment in our marriage in front of everyone but what no one knew was the contract signed between us.

I thought it would work out with time considering I loved Max. Perhaps, I had thought he would change, his feelings for Ruth would dissipate when she flew out of the country but it was just like pouring water on a rock.

While I waited for Max to love me, he waited for the return of his ex-lover. While I did everything to satisfy his needs both in the workplace and in bed, he craved the embrace of his ex-lover.

Even when it was obvious Max wouldn't turn to even look at me twice, I still dared hope, I hoped that one day he would at least see for once but all of that had only been a flick of my imagination.

Thud.... Boom! The door kicked open and three hefty men strode in towards where I sat with my mom and my heartbeats accelerated.

Who are these people?