Chapter 26
The morning sun filtered through the windows as Ryan rushed to his parent’s mansion, the worry evident on his face.
The call he had received about his father’s health had been alarming, and he had wasted no time getting there.
As he entered the grand hallway, the familiar scent of the house filled his senses, but today it brought no comfort. He hurried up the stairs, two steps at a time, and made his way to his father’s room.
Inside, he found his mother, Mrs. Rose, and his sister, Ivy, gathered around Mr. Kendrick’s bed.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
Dr. Parker, their long-time family physician, was conducting an examination.
Dr. Parker, a tall man with brown hair and hazel eyes, stood out in his white coat, his 6’4″ frame adding to his commanding presence in the room.
“Dad,” Ryan called out, his voice trembling with concern. “What happened?”Mrs. Rose looked up, her face etched with worry.
She quickly stood up and hugged her son tightly.”Ryan,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “He had a heart attack. The doctor says it’s high blood pressure due to stress.
“Ryan hugged her back, patting her back gently. “It’s going to be alright, Mom. Dad is strong. He’ll pull through this.”Ivy, who was sitting beside Mr. Kendrick, holding his hand, looked up with teary eyes. “We need him to be okay, Ryan,” she said softly.
Dr. Parker finished his examination and turned to the family. “Mrs. Rose, Ryan, can I speak with you both downstairs?”
They nodded and followed him out of the room, leaving Ivy to watch over their father.
In the spacious and elegantly decorated living room, Dr. Parker began explaining the situation. “Mr. Kendrick had a heart attack, likely brought on by high blood pressure and stress. He needs to avoid any strenuous activities, stress, and any shocking news.”
“Will he be okay?” Ryan asked, his voice steady but filled with concern.”Yes, he will,” Dr. Parker replied reassuringly. “But he needs a lot of rest and to avoid any kind of stress. It’s crucial for his recovery.
“Ryan sighed with relief. “Thank you, Dr. Parker.” He extended his hand, and Dr. Parker shook it firmly.”You’re welcome, son,” Dr. Parker said, smiling more than usual.
Ryan turned and headed back to his father’s room. As soon as he was out of sight, Dr. Parker turned to Mrs. Rose and hugged her passionately, giving her a light squeeze on her butt. She pushed his hands away, a look of annoyance on her face.”We can’t do this here,” she hissed, detaching from the hug.
Dr. Parker composed himself quickly. “Of course,” he said, clearing his throat. They both returned to Mr. Kendrick’s room. Mrs. Rose sat beside her husband, gently holding his hand while Dr. Parker packed up his medical kit.
“Ryan,” Dr. Parker said, turning to him, “could you drop by the hospital to pick up your father’s medications?”Ryan nodded. “Of course, Dr. Parker.”
As Dr. Parker left, Mr. Kendrick, sedated by the medication, drifted into a deep sleep. He had sustained minor injuries from his fall in the bathroom, but they were not serious. Ryan decided it was best to head to work since his father was resting.
“Mom, Ivy, look after Dad. I’ll be at the office if you need me.”Mrs. Rose and Ivy nodded, their eyes never leaving Mr. Kendrick. Ryan left the mansion, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
His father was aging and now had a serious health condition. This meant he could no longer handle the rigors of running the family empire. Ryan knew it was time for his father to step down and officially hand over the reins.
The company couldn’t afford to be led by someone whose health was in jeopardy.
As his chauffeur drove him to the office, Ryan couldn’t shake the heavy thoughts from his mind. He wanted his father to be well, but he also knew that for the good of the business and his father’s health, changes needed to be made.
He would ensure that his father got the rest he needed, and he would step up to lead the company with the same strength and dedication that his father had shown, Ryan was ready to face whatever challenges came his way.
He knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but he was determined to do whatever it took to protect his family and their legacy. As the night settled in, Ryan made a silent promise to himself.
Upon arriving at the office, Ryan’s assistant, Luca, immediately noticed the somber expression on his boss’s face.”What’s up, man?” Luca asked, concern in his voice. “You don’t look good.”Ryan sighed.
“Dad’s ill. He has high blood pressure.”
“That’s bad,” Luca said sympathetically. “How is he now?”
“He’s responding to treatment,” Ryan replied. “But he had a heart attack. He needs rest and to stay away from stress.”Luca nodded. “He’ll need to retire soon. He’s not getting any younger.”
“I know,” Ryan said, frustration creeping into his voice. “He should just hand everything over to me already. I’m tired of being seen as the acting CEO.”
“I’m sure he’ll make the right decision,” Luca said reassuringly. Just as they were talking, a knock at the door interrupted them. “Come in,” Ryan called out. The door opened, revealing a woman who was the perfect distraction he needed at the moment.
She was elegant and composed, her arrival brought a welcome change to the tense atmosphere.
Ryan forced a smile, trying to push his worries to the back of his mind, hoping for a brief respite from the day’s troubles.
Back at the Mansion……..
Mrs. Rose and Ivy did their best to take care of Mr. Kendrick. Ivy, though often seen as the spoiled one, showed a surprising amount of care and tenderness towards her father.
She held his hand and whispered words of encouragement, hoping to keep his spirits high. Mrs. Rose, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread.
The secrets of the past were starting to resurface, and she feared what might happen if they were ever revealed. She knew that the family’s future depended on keeping those secrets buried, no matter the cost.