The Billionaire Wolff

Chapter 6: Her Tragedy

Mental and emotional breakdowns have become a part of me now. Sometimes I have gotten so accustomed to it that it just feels like any other weekday for me.

On other times though, the pain cuts a little too deep and I find myself unable to move, to think, or to just function in general.

Right now it was feeling a lot like one of those times as I’m seated outside my dad’s room, a cup of what was once hot coffee now cold in my hand, and staring into nothing but the white wall in front of me.

I think about all the times I told my dad I hated the hospital and that if I had a choice, I would never step foot in one. Luckily, I was never the type to get sick even when I was younger. Unfortunately for me, my luck ran out and now it was like I practically lived in the hospital since I visited him every single day.

I wondered where it all went so wrong, but most importantly why it did. Why did my dad, a kind man who worked hard to provide for his only family and didn’t do anything wrong, was the one to get such a life-threatening disease?

Why did the man who did nothing but good in his life have to face all the painful chemotherapy sessions, injections all over his body, and every other invasive method, just so he could see one more day?

It was unfair! So f u c k i n g unfair!

“Anya! Hello, can you hear me?!”

The voice came from out of nowhere and I suddenly noticed a hand waving in front of me. I shook my head and brought myself back to the present where I saw Matthew was standing right next to me with a displeased expression.

“Where the hell were you?” He asked with a half whisper and half shout.

“I–” I cleared my throat. “I don’t know. I was just thinking…” I exclaimed and Matthew shook his head at me.

“I called you like three times, and you made me look like a fool when you didn’t answer. Next time can you at least pay more attention when you’re in public?” He said as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared me down.

Matthew never used to be intimidating, but lately it’s like all he has been to me is exactly that. Lately, it’s as if everything I did was wrong to him, as if I was nothing but a nuisance to him. I always wanted to tell him about it, to express exactly what I’ve been feeling, but I never found the right time nor place to do so.

In between me being busy with my dad and him with his school and the hospital duties, we never had time for each other anymore. It was very different from how we used to be a couple of years back.

He was a sweetheart. He always made me feel like I was a queen or like I was the last woman on earth. He would often surprise me with gifts or with dates even on the most random dates. To him, everyday was like Valentine’s day or our anniversary. I felt the most special with him.

At least, that was what it was like back then.

Now… he felt like he was so far away even when he was standing right in front of me.

“Matthew…” I managed to croak out.

He raised his brow at me. “What? What is it?” He asked with a rather defensive tone.

“I… I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something. About…” I swallowed nervously and bit my lip, suddenly unsure if I could really say it to him.

I mean, it was now or never, right? I did have the right to tell him about what I felt, like I was no longer being treated properly by him and I deserved to be treated better, wasn’t I?

Matthew let out an exasperated exhale. “What, Anya? Just say it. I don’t have all day.”

There he is again talking to me like I wasn’t worth his time. I knew we were both going through some things, but it didn’t mean he could act like this towards me and enough was enough. I needed him to know that.

“About… us, Matthew. You’ve… you’ve changed.”

Oh, god. I can’t believe I was finally able to say that out loud.

It felt so good to let it out and let Matthew know my feelings, but all the good feelings I had were quickly thrown out of the window when his eyes somehow started to look angry.

Gone was the soft and kind blue eyes he had, as it was now completely replaced by bitterness in them.

“What did you just say to me?” He asked, or rather, demanded, with his voice hoarse and deep.

This was not the Matthew I knew, not the boyfriend I’ve had for years, and certainly not the man I fell in love with back then.

I… I had no idea who this man was anymore.

“N– nothing. I didn’t say anything!” I said in response, taking back my words because I no longer felt confident about it.

Now I really wish I had just never said it in the first place, but by the looks of it, it was certainly too late.

“No, Anya.” Matthew said as he shook his head. “You said something, and I want you to say it again. Say it to my face, Anya. Say it,” he repeated as he had me now pinned against the wall in the hallway.

“M–Matthew, p–please… I– I didn’t mean to make you mad, it’s just–”

“It’s just what, Anya? You’re complaining that I’ve changed when all I’ve done is try to keep your father alive? You think just because my father is the director that everything is magically free, Anya? No, it’s not. I actually have to work more now because of it. For the last two years that your father has been on that hospital bed, I had to work my a s s off to keep him there, so don’t tell me that I’ve changed or any of that bull s h i t. I had to do it for him, for you. This is so f u c k i n g selfish of you, you know that, right? You know that while I’m making so many sacrifices, you’re here thinking negatively about me? Seriously, Anya? I’m so f u c k i n g disappointed.”

I was speechless.

I stood there, mouth agape, and eyes blinking repeatedly after listening to Matthew. I had no idea he was doing all of that, and if I had just known, then maybe I would have been less harsh on him. Maybe he is right. Maybe I really have been too selfish.

Oh, god. I’m an awful person and an awful girlfriend.

I moved closer to him to take his hand with mine and hold it.

“I’m sorry, Matthew. I’m really sorry. I didn’t know. I–”

He suddenly pulled his hand away from me, taking me by complete surprise. “Of course you didn’t. All you think about is yourself, and I’m so tired of it.”

“Matthew, oh my god, please, I didn’t mean to!” I pleaded for him, but he didn’t even want to look at me.

I felt my heart break even further and tears started streaming down my face. I can’t lose him. Not him, too.

“Please forgive me, Matthew, please.” I continued to beg for his forgiveness and after a few seconds, he let out a sigh and turned back to face me.

He gives me a small smile and my heart skips at the sight of it.

“Okay, baby, I forgive you, but just don’t do it again, alright?”

I nodded my head eagerly.

“Good, now go home. Get some rest. Come back here when you’ve gotten a bit of sleep.” He instructed.

“But, my dad, I– I want to stay with him.”

“Anya, you’ve been here since this morning and you haven’t slept since then. It’s about to be what, twenty four hours? Get some rest, take a shower, then come back. I’ll be here with your dad while you’re gone. Go.” Matthew said and though I was a bit reluctant, I figured it was time for me to rest.

I could just come back here a few hours after and maybe I can also make something small for Matthew and give it to him as an apology. Yes, that sounded like a good plan.

“Alright. I’ll see you later, Matthew. Thank you and I'm sorry again. I love you, babe.” I squeezed his hand and he gave me a half smile just before pulling away and turning around.

This time I know he heard me… so why didn’t he say it back?

—

After fixing my things and saying a quick goodbye to my dad, I got on the first bus and traveled back home.

I was so tired that the next thing I know, when I opened my eyes, I was already at my stop.

When I got back home, I just took a quick shower to freshen myself up and set an alarm for a few hours to take a nap and after that, I can set things up to go back to the hospital.

When I got to my bed, I felt the sheets almost swallowing me whole in its cottony goodness.

Just for a few hours I can rest and–

Ring! Ring!

The loud ringtone caught me off guard, my eyes shot back open, and I almost dropped my phone on the floor by trying to hastily grab it.

“Hello?” I answered with a raspy voice.

“Anya!” I recognized the voice as it was one of the nurse’s.

My heartbeat picked up. She sounded… distressed.

Oh, god. No… No… It can’t be…

“Wh– what happened? Is my dad okay?!” I asked while already getting up from bed and gathering my stuff.

“You have to come now, Anya. It’s bad. It’s… really bad. I don't think he's going to make it.”