The Return Of His Ex Wife
Chapter 29: At The Hospital

Chapter 29: At The Hospital

Tara’s POV

"Last night was a mess. Richard interrupted my call with Derek with the usual ’is that my dad’ question." I explained to Ella the nevt morning and she shrugged.

"Damn, I feel bad for the kid. Anyway, are you not excited to meet with Arlo this weekend?"

I felt suddenly uneasy as she called out his name again. "You know what? I’m starting to think talking to Arlo yesterday was a mistake. I won’t see the guy in a while, it’s for my mental health."

"You sound like a 15 year old girl, and you make Arlo look like a complete toxic man! You’re an adult. You keep forgetting that."

"I can’t just fake pretend to be with somebody on some deal like it’s a transaction. It’s your all or nothing at all for me." I tried to make myself sound convincing to her but she just rolled her eyes.

"But at least you do realize that you’re doing this for the best, right? To protect Richard, protect yourself from Derek? The real toxic man in the picture. Girl, I’m going to preach, since you woke me up with a call at five something in the morning."

I leaned back on the chair ignoring her as I tied my hair up so it doesn’t get disturbed when I stepped into the shower. I was about to give her an utmost reply when someone started banging on my room door. I hurried to see who it was and it turned out to be one of the house attendants, with fear written all over her face. "Ma’am, it’s Richard. He’s having a convulsion!"

I wish I hadn’t heard him well. My heart crept with terror, "what? Where is he! What happened!"

Ella hurried behind me, all of us sprinting to his room. And there laid my baby on the floor, shaking and trying to gasp for air! I froze in terror, a million thoughts coursing through my brain. Was this how I’d lose him? My baby...

"Tara, get a hold of yourself! I need you to be strong, okay? Come here and support him for me!" Ella had a few lessons on first aids. She reached for his arms and yelled out my name again, pulling me from my sad trance. "We need to move him to his side gently! Help me."

Together, we turned him to his side, but nothing happened! "Is he dying? What--what--"

"Nothing is wrong with him! Be positive now." Ella seemed so confident and I envied that! "Richard, you’re okay. Look at us, see mommy. You’re okay," she loosened his pajamas shirt and reached for his face, "he’s breathing fine. Hey, was he eating anything when you got here??" She said to the maid who shook her head. "Okay good. You’re okay, Richard. You’re good! Wow, he’s burning up really bad." She looked at me with concern.

"I’ve called help, ma’am!" The housekeeper said and I nodded. Ella kept on saying calming words to Richard, while I continued to shiver in fear.

When we arrived at the hospital shortly after, although Richard claimed he was fine, I still looked at my baby with a worried look.

"He’s fine now. Since the seizure stopped, that’s a good sign." The doctor said to me. "But has this ever happened before?"

I shook my head. "This is the first time. I don’t really know what happened. He was burning up too."

"Yes, that’s what we call Febrile seizure. He’s been diagnosed with a little fever yesterday, right? And you got some help from a healthcare professional?"

"They only gave him a pain relief and some vitamin C tablets. I thought he was fine already."

"It’s normal. What matters is that your son is better now. His temperature was indeed burning but we are doing everything to stabilize it now. You don’t have anything to worry about." When he left, I had to find somewhere to sit before I collapsed. I knew I lied to myself that I was strong and capable of taking care of Richard on my own. But with the thought that his father was still there somewhere, alive and not dead! That was annoying.

So I did something I wasn’t too proud of, something that just made me call myself weak! I took my phone and dialed his number.

"Hello, Sunflower."

Tears had already welled in my eyes, ready to drop at any moment now. I sniffed in, hoping to stop them from falling. "Hey, Arlo?" I thought I sounded tough but my voice had betrayed me. "Richard is in the hospital and I don’t know what to do." That was when the tears came bursting out, my whole body shivering with fear. What was it with this breakdown?? I thought I was fine!

Arlo’s POV

"It’s starting to get all blurry here, Sofia. I think I might have made a huge stupid mess!" I complained to my sister who mindfully focused on her breakfast like it meant the whole world to her.

"Listen, I get that you’re my brother and you own this hotel. But just because I came here to relax for a couple of days doesn’t mean I get to become your therapist!" She said, still digging though her meal.

"Well remember who settled your whole bills in the first place? If I need a therapist, I want you doing your very best. Oh for the love of God, I’m serious here, Sofia!" My tone made her look in my direction and see seriousness.

She grunted then rolled her eyes. "Fine! Whatever you say, dearest brother. What’s up with your girl again?"

I didn’t know if it was a smart idea to speak to Ella about this. Richard was much more smarter and considerate, so I’ve learnt. "I shouldn’t have accepted her deal. Now I’m her fake boyfriend. Although it’s a shot for me to get closer to her and make the most of this relationship, what if I mess things up? Especially with Richard."

"Oh for the love of God--"

I shot her a warning look, "Hey that’s my thing!"

"Whatever. My point is that you are a full grown adult and Richard is a kid. You and Tara can discuss this maturely and Richard will have to be just fine. No, listen to this," she said, seeing I shot her a raised brow. "He is only being protective of his mother, but we both know he loves you like crazy. If only you could talk to Tara about your relationship with her, what she’s expecting you to do and stuff."

"And if you don’t like the terms, you’re free to cancel. I understand where she’s coming from with her ex husband, but damn it, your mental health matters! You’re not some Santa clause, brother. You matter, even though I still hate you."

I scoffed in disbelief. "You’re an alien, you know that right?"

"Whatever. Now can you get out of my room and go prepare for work already? You know you have a busy schedule today."

My phone rang in my pocket and I groaned.

"See, you’re busy lately. Stop rubbing it in our faces though, we get it. You’re richer now with all your contracts and everything."

"Please, this is my time to shine." I raised my head up in pride. "But I gotta answer this. It’s probably my PA." It was not. "Oh wait, it’s Tara."

"Speaking of the devil--"

I shushed her up and jumped to my feet to pick up, moving away from Sofia. "Hello Sunflower," was she crying? Maybe I was just imagining that but her voice sounded, and she completely broke down. "Hang in there. I’m on my way."