Chapter Fourteen

The Breaking Point

Maria’s POV

  We got to the hospital and headed inside after Sebastian’s driver got a good parking space in the parking lot.

  The receptionist informed us that my father had been taken to the ER and then directed us to a private waiting room after writing down my name and contact details.

  Immediately I entered, I walked straight to the floor-to-ceiling window and looked out. It depicted a beautiful landscape view of the city but she couldn’t see it because she replayed the events of the day before her eyes.

  “Maria, you have to take it easy on yourself.” Sebastian advised softly behind her. “I know what you are trying to do but I want you to know that none of this is your fault.”

  I turned and looked up at him squarely in the face. “You are right and you are wrong. You are right because none of this is my fault. I didn’t force them to show up in my office and throw tantrums. You are wrong because what you think I am trying to do is not what I am doing.”

  “What do you think I think you are trying to do?”

  “Blame myself for all that happened today.”

  “Yes, you are right, Maria.”

  “And that’s why I said that you are wrong.I don’t blame myself at all; in fact, what I am trying to do is look for a way to cut off completely from the Kidmans.”

  He cocked his head to the side and studied my face. "What really happened between you and the Kidmans, Maria?”

  I pushed my head down and looked for a way to distract him so I would not answer the question. I didn’t want to dig up skeletons from the closet.

  The door opened and we turned to see a middle-aged doctor walk in, and I sighed in relief.

  “Ms. Bellucci?”

  “That’s me!” I said a little too brightly, glad that the distraction I needed came at the right time.

  “My name is Doctor Elijah and I am the resident doctor in charge of your father. We carried out two rapid diagnostic tests on him to determine the type and severity of the heart attack. We found out from the tests that it was a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. This means that the heart attack was not severe. I heard that a young man helped him in your office. He may have saved your father’s life.”

  “Oh, that’s good news, Doctor.”

  “We stabilized him with medications, then placed him in the Coronary Care Unit for further evaluation. He may have to stay in our hospital for a while for further evaluation.”

  “Okay, thanks for the feedback, Doctor. Can I see him briefly?”

  “Yes but I must indicate that a visit to a patient in the Coronary Care Unit is restricted for immediate family members only.” The doctor informed her while giving cursory glances to Sebastian.

  “Yeah, yeah, uh, my fiance can wait here; that’s fine.” I responded to the doctor, and then he took me through the necessary health screenings before taking me to the CCU to see my father, while Sebastian waited in the waiting room.

  “Doctor Elijah, has my father’s wife been contacted yet?” I asked the doctor as soon as we stepped out of the waiting room.

  “Uhm, I don’t think so. I was told that his family member, which was you, had arrived already.” He answered with a puzzled expression on his face.

  “Okay, but you need to inform his wife as soon as possible because I won’t be available to visit him subsequently.” I informed the doctor as soon as we entered my father’s hospital room.

  He was in a semisitting position on the bed and turned as soon as we entered. I saw different emotions on his face when he entered but one emotion stood out—anger.

  “Hello, Mr. Kidman. I hope you are feeling better? You have a guest.”

  The doctor exchanged pleasantries and small talk with my father and me, then stepped out after indicating that he would be back shortly because I couldn’t stay long.”

  “I didn’t think you would show up here.” He sneered subtly.

  “I didn’t think you would still be this odious after all that happened in my office.”

  “What do you want? I am sure you are disappointed that I didn’t die.” He sneered this time, unable to hide his anger.

  “No, I am not disappointed because I am not like your wife and daughter. I had to ensure that you got here safely and since your health condition is not severe, I have something to say to you. Hence this visit.”

  “What is it?” He asked curiously.

  “I had a very happy childhood when my mother was still alive but then life became grey when she died and finally black when you brought in that woman to our home.”

  “Maria…” He started but then I raised up my forefinger to stop him from saying anything.

  “You will listen while I express myself to you.!” I softly reprimanded and then continued. “You and that woman made my life a living hell and when her daughter was born, she made it worse. I didn’t say a word; I didn’t complain. I stayed loyal and worked like a dog because I still saw you all as family but then you all shattered the camel’s back when you waved me aside after the hurt that Richard and Cassandra inflicted on me. I left home but you didn’t even bother looking for me or even say hello via the media. Now you all threaten and torment me because you want the man I am engaged to, for your selfish financial reasons. Your actions are no longer hurtful but now they are plain disgraceful. I feel so much shame thinking about your actions.”

  I heard footsteps and low voices in the hallway, which alerted me that it was time to leave. “You indicated earlier that you will disown me if I go ahead with the wedding. I stopped considering you as my father a long time ago so I will make this easy for you. Today, I disown you as my father so good luck having your precious wife and other daughter taking care of you. I am out of here.”

  “Maria! Maria!” He half screamed and the doctor rushed in, wondering what was going on.

  “What is going on? Is he alright?” He asked me at the door.

  “I hope you have called his wife Doctor?” I asked sharply, ignoring all that my father was saying. “You should check on your patient. Good day.”

  I made my way to the waiting room where my Sebastian waited and sighed in relief when I saw Cassandra and her mother rushing towards the CCU, which was at the other end of the hall. I wasn’t in the mood for more drama with the Kidmans.

  “Sebastian, I’m done here. Let’s head out.” I informed him as soon as I saw him, then turned to head out of the hospital.

  “Maria, are you alright?”

  “Yes! Yes, I am. Please take me home.”

  The ride home was very quiet. I didn’t say a word and when we got to my office, I said a quiet thank you and left him there.