Chapter 15

RICHARD POV

As we stepped inside, the quiet hum of the machines greeted us. Kenneth was lying on the hospital bed, an oxygen mask covering his face. His chest rose and fell weakly, but the fact that he was breathing at all was a miracle.

Mrs. Johnson immediately covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a sob. Tamara followed suit, tears streaming down her face as she tried to compose herself.

“It’s okay, Mama,” Tamara whispered, holding her mother’s arm. But even as she spoke, her voice cracked, betraying her own emotions.

I stood by the door, giving them their moment. Seeing Kenneth like this…hooked up to machines, his life hanging by a thread…felt surreal. This was a man I respected, a man I hoped would soon become family.

The weight of everything…the attack, the betrayal, the fear…pressed heavily on my chest. I needed air. Quietly, I slipped out of the room.

The hallway felt endless as I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. As the line connected, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me. My eyes darted around the dimly lit corridor, but no one was in sight. Still, the uneasy sensation lingered.

“Hello?” a voice answered on the other end of the call, but before I could respond, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. There was definitely someone following me. I turned sharply, but the chapter ends here.

MR. JACOB’S POV

I watched Kenneth lying there, helpless and frail. Everyone else saw a man clinging to life, a victim of a cruel attack. But all I could see was the boy who had always overshadowed me.

Kenneth, the golden child. Kenneth, the favorite. Kenneth, who could do no wrong in our father’s eyes.

My thoughts drifted back to our childhood. I remembered the way Father always doted on him. “Kenneth is destined for greatness,” he’d say with pride. And me? I was the afterthought, the child who could never measure up.

Mother used to pull me aside, her face a mask of quiet resentment. “Stay away from Kenneth,” she’d whisper. “Don’t get too close.” She never explained why, but I knew. She hated him as much as I did..hated how he represented everything we weren’t.

When Father finally passed, leaving the bulk of his estate to Kenneth, it was the final blow. The man hadn’t even tried to hide his favoritism. “Kenneth deserves it,” he’d said in his will. “He has the vision, the strength to lead.”

But what about me? Did my years of loyalty mean nothing? Did my mother’s sacrifices mean nothing?

I clenched my fists, glaring at Kenneth through the haze of hospital machines. Part of me wished he hadn’t made it. Part of me wished this hospital visit was for a funeral.

My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden buzzing in my pocket. My phone was ringing, the vibration jarring against the fabric of my trousers.

I pulled it out, glancing at the screen. The ringtone was loud…too loud for the quiet room. Heads turned in my direction, their expressions ranging from annoyance to curiosity.

“Excuse me,” I muttered, stepping out of the room.

The hallway was quieter, but my mind was still racing. As I pressed the phone to my ear, I caught sight of Richard down the corridor. He was standing with another man…Wait a minute, Max? if I remembered correctly. Their conversation seemed intense, their expressions grave.

I hesitated, lowering my phone slightly as I observed them. Something about their body language made my stomach churn. Were they hiding something? Planning something?

I couldn’t shake the curiosity burning inside me as I watched Richard and Max from a distance. What could they possibly be discussing so intently? Was Max telling Richard that I had told him to meet me up?.

Their heads were close together, their voices too low for me to catch a word. I took a cautious step forward, then another, moving as quietly as I could. My instincts told me that whatever they were discussing had to be important.

I was about three steps away from being close enough to eavesdrop when my phone buzzed in my pocket again. The vibration startled me, forcing me to stop in my tracks.

Cursing under my breath, I fumbled to pull out my phone. The caller ID flashed Hannah. My wife. I sighed and walked in the opposite direction to answer the call, trying to keep my frustration in check.

“Hello?” I said curtly, pressing the phone to my ear.

Hannah’s voice came through sharp and impatient. “Jacob, hope the work went well as planned?”

I sighed again, this time deeper, pinching the bridge of my nose. “No,” I admitted. “The plan failed. Kenneth was lucky. The bullet didn’t hit his chest, and the doctors managed to stabilize him. He’s even on oxygen now and will recover.”

There was a pause on the other end before Hannah’s voice erupted in anger. “What do you mean he’s going to recover?!” she hissed, her tone laced with fury. “Jacob, I can’t believe this! You had one job. Do you realize how much is at stake?”

“I know, Hannah,” I said defensively, glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one was listening. “But what do you want me to do? He’s surrounded by people, and the hospital is crawling with security.”

“You have to finish the job!” she snapped. Her voice was practically a scream now, and I had to pull the phone away from my ear. “If Kenneth doesn’t die, you’ll never get control of the company, and we’ll never see the wealth we deserve. Do something, Jacob!”

Her words hit me hard, but I knew she was right. “Fine,” I muttered. “I’ll handle it.”

“Make sure you do,” she said sharply before ending the call.

Clenching my jaw, I tucked the phone back into my pocket and turned around. Richard and Max were still deep in conversation. Steeling myself, I began walking back toward them, determined to figure out what they were up to.