Shadows of revenge

Chapter Seven

Cindy was at her work place when she got a call from the hospital. Her mother was dying. Again. Doctor Hopkins assured she was responding to treatment and she was getting better. What changed?. She thought as she quickly hailed a cab.

"Bryant Hospitals" she said to the cab driver as she entered into the vehicle. She was worried sick. She was having problems breathing. She could not lose her mother. Tears flowed from her eyes as she felt her phone vibrate in her bag. She thought it was a call from the hospital so she quickly looked at the dial. It was Megan. She breath a sign of relief as she picked up her phone to pick the call.

"Hello Cindy" Megan said excitedly.

"Yes sweetie, how has your honeymoon been?" Cindy tried to add live to her voice.

"Cindy what's the problem" Megan noticed a crack in her voice. Cindy could not fool her, even through the phone. She knew her too well.

"Nothing Megan. There's nothing wrong"

"Do not feed me that crap and tell me what is wrong. You know you can not lie to me"

Cindy burst into tears again, crying" Megan, mom is dying. The hospital just called to tell me she had a seizure and she is in the ICU" her voiced cracked "Megan I do not want to lose her " she sobbed.

"Cindy calm down. Mom is going to be fine. She is strong. She will come out of the ICU alive"

Cindy sobbed more "I hope so. I really do"

"I am coming over. I can get a flight this afternoon. I should be there in the evening"

"No Megan" Cindy begged " you should be with Killian"

"Shut up silly girl. Is Killian's happiness worth more than mom's life? I am coming tonight. No argument on that issue. Just try to stay strong and calm. She will need you to be strong for her. Alright?"

"Okay" Cindy said with tears in her voice. Megan hanged and Cindy continued looking out in anticipation for her mother's recovery.

The cab driver stopped in front of Bryant Hospitals and she paid him the fare, came down and went inside the hospital. She hurriedly walked to the ICU and waited out for the doctor.

Few minutes later the doctor came out and saw her standing there, moving restlessly."Miss Bailey?" he called out to her.

She immediately turned her head to see the doctor and ran to meet him "Mr Hopkins how is my mom?" she asked anxiously.

"She is fine for now" he started "but she would need better treatment"

"Mr Hopkins what do you mean?" Cindy looked up at him, confusion in her eyes.

"Please walk with me" he said to her walking towards the elevator. She followed him into the elevator going up to his office. When they entered his office he went straight to his seat. "Please sit" he gestured her to sit opposite him. She sat and he said "Miss Bailey, your mother's condition has worsened"

Cindy just stared at him "But you said she was responding to treatment and she was getting better"

"Yes she was until this morning. She had a mild seizure before, early this morning and we handled it praying it would not escalate further. But then, it worsened this afternoon"

"What will happen if she is not treated immediately?"

"It will take some time but......" he paused watching her face which had turned white from fear"......she will die"

Cindy dragged in her breath and said shakily "Doctor what can be done to save her?"

"She must undergo surgery. In hope she will get better. The tumor had spread around essential parts of her brain from the scan we had today and I am afraid she just has two months to live if surgery is not done as soon as possible"

"Two months? what if she undergoes the surgery? what is the chances of her living?"

"There is a high chance she will live if the surgery is done"

"When can the surgery be done?"

"In a week time"

"Alright "

"You can meet with the patient financial service department to discuss the cost for the surgery"

"I will do that" she said rising to leave. She was going to see her mother "have a nice day Mr Hopkins"

"You too Miss Bailey" the doctor smiled after her and shaked his head in pity.

She walked to her mother's ward. When she entered her heart ached at the sight of her mother. Her mother looked sick and frail. She was the shadow of herself right now. If one seizure could do this to her, what if she has multiple seizures?.

Her mother was asleep and she did not want to disturb her, so she just drew the cover higher on her chest and left the hospital, intending to see her later that day.

*****************

Max was already thinking of his next move in order to get Cindy to marry him. He had waited for almost a week for her to contact him but she had not. He did not know it will be so hard to get her to marry him. He was racking up his head for some other way to convince her to marry him when he got a call.

"Hello, Mr Anderson on the line"

"Hello. It's Cindy"

How things could work in his favor, he thought." Okay. How have you been?" he asked her showing a little hint of care.

"I have been well" She hesitated and then said " I have given your offer a thought.

There was a moment of silence before he said "And?"

"I will accept it "She finished.

"Okay. That is a great decision"

"....but on one condition...."

Silence again"....and that is?"

"......your money will take care of my mother's health. Everything about her health will be on you."

He paused before saying "deal!."

"Thank you."

"What's the situation with her health?"

"We can't talk over the phone. We should meet up?"

"Alright. I will send someone to pick you up" he said hanging up. He dialed Ray's number "Send a driver to pick up Cindy"

***************

Max said he was going to send someone to pick her up. She quickly got ready and waited for the ride. Ten minutes later a black range rover stopped in front of her house, she quickly gathered it was her ride. She carried her back and walked down stairs. She had this confident air around her. She dressed it, walked it and smelled it. She was determined not to be trampled on by Max even if he was the only one giving the help. He definitely married her for a reason and even if he had made it clear it was because his mother was persistent on him getting a wife, she sensed it was not the only reason, but either way she will accept it. She had to.

She walked to the vehicle and the driver waited by the door to usher her in. She got in, the driver closed the door after her, turned around to the driver's seat and got in then drove off.

They got to the Anderson estate after driving for half an hour. It was most people's dream to live in a place like this. It was once her's. But now she just thought about survival. The place was magnificent. Guess it is going to be her home in the nearest future. They passed the Anderson's mansion. She thought it had to be the main house but why weren't they stopping? she asked herself. Well that was a question for another day.

They stopped at a small building, it was a mini flat located at the far end of the estate. The driver stopped at the entrance and he turned around to open the door for her to get down. She was ushered in by a maid who led her to the living room. The maid showed her to a settee where she could wait for the boss of the house and then offered her tea.