Chapter 4 Chapter Four
I stood beside the bed my mom was placed on in the hospital.
The doctors were checking her vitals and jotting some things on their clipboard.
My mom had just woken up an hour ago. I felt very relieved.
The doctor checked the monitors, shone a light briefly into my mother’s eyes, then nodded to herself.
“She’s stable,” the doctor said gently, giving me a reassuring smile. “The collapse was caused due to a sudden drop in blood sugar combined with stress.”
“Stress?” I repeated quietly, a bit lost for words.
“Yes,” the doctor replied, glancing between us. “She hasn’t been eating properly, and she’s been pushing herself too hard. That combination can be dangerous given her age.”
My mother sighed dramatically. “I told you I was fine.”
The doctor ignored that. “She’ll need to rest, and have regular meals.” Her eyes lingered, resting on my mother. “No unnecessary workload.”
I nodded quickly. “I’ll make sure.”
“Good.” The doctor scribbled something down. “We’ll keep her for observation a bit longer, but she should be discharged later today.”
With that, she excused herself and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
The moment I felt everywhere was quiet, I pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat leaning forward until my elbows rested on the mattress.
Then, I gently took my mother’s hand. “Do you know you scared me?” I told her softly.
My mother gave me a weak chuckle. “You worry too much.”
I shook her head. “No. You don’t take care of yourself enough.”
My mother turned her face away slightly. “Someone has to worry about the future.”
“That doesn’t mean you should put your health at risk,” I scolded her lightly. I felt a bit annoyed with the fact that she was trying to justify her actions. “what if I hadn’t rushed over in time?”
My mother then went quiet for a moment.
“I just want to see you settled.” she suddenly voiced out.
I let out a deep breath. “Mom…”
“I’m not getting younger,” my mother continued. “I want to know you’re married and not alone, I want to leave you in someone's care.”
I squeezed my mother’s hand a little tighter. “I’m not alone.”
My mother looked at me. “You say that, but your eyes say something else.”
I forced a small smile. “You should rest.”
My mother sighed, closing her eyes again. “Promise me you’ll think about what I said.”
“I will, I promise. Just rest.” I gave her my words.
Deep down I was confused and I didn't know what I even wanted for myself.
Ethan's POV
Back in the Brown’s family household, that is my family's household.
I descended the stairs calmly, not even showing a glimpse of emotions on my face.
The dining room was already alive with the soft clinking of cutlery and the low murmur of conversation.
My father, Mr Michael Brown, sat at the head of the table with a newspaper spread neatly before him.
Beside him, was my stepmother who sipped her tea in a composed manner.
And, across from her sat my stepsister, Anna. Her attention was fixed more on her phone than her plate.
No one spoke when I walked and I didn't bother acknowledging them either.
I moved past the dining table, I didn't have the appetite to dine with them.
I headed straight for the front door, but just then-
“Ethan,” My stepmother called me. “Aren’t you having breakfast?” She asked me with a smile plastered on her face.
I knew better than to believe her.
I didn't bother turning, I ignored her completely.
My hands were already on the door handle when I heard my father’s voice. “Leave him. He’s always like that in the mornings.”
Of course he will say that, does he even know me?
The moment I stepped outside, I got hit by the cool morning air.
I walked towards my car. As I reached for the door handle, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.
“Ethan.”
I closed his eyes briefly, tightening my jaw.
Anna stopped just a little too close. “Why are you so angry this morning?” She asked softly. “Did something happen?”
I didn't have time for her games, so I opened the car door.
Then I laughed quietly. “You always do this, act like no one else exists.” Her fingers then brushed against my arm.
That was when l turned. “Don’t,” I told her flatly.
She didn’t listen.
Instead, her hand slid higher, lingering where it had no business being. “You don’t have to be so cold to me,” she murmured. “We’re family.”
Something dark flashed in my eyes.
I grabbed her wrist and yanked her hand away.
“Stay away from me,” I warned her. “Don’t touch me again.”
Her smile faltered. “You’re hurting me,” she protested, trying to pull free.
I released her abruptly, stepping back. “I won’t warn you twice.”
For a moment, she just stared at me clearly embarrassed.
I got into the car and slammed the door shut, then I drove off without looking back.
THIRD PERSON POV
The moment Ethan left, Anna made a call to an unsaved number on her phone.
“My brother is getting married and you know fully well that it can't happen.” Anna complained to the person in the call.
“What then do you want?” The other person asked her
“I want his child.” Anna said it casually.
“Are you a psychopath? He's your brother.”
“My step brother and I don't care, I love Ethan.” She retorted back.
“You are just fantasizing over him, do you think in your wildest dreams that Ethan Brownwill sleep with you?”
“That's for you to figure out, I pay you enough. You have two days to come up with an idea.” She hissed loudly over the phone.
“Even if it works, he will ask you to abort the child. Are you even listening to yourself?” the person on the other side argued.
“Don’t you dare talk to me like I'm a child. Just do your part, I will take care of the rest.”
“Fine, whatever you say Ma.”
Anna ended the call immediately and let out a bright smile.
“Let's see how long you can avoid me Ethan.”
