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Chapter_37
An Urgent Call from Home
The phone call shattered my composure. I hadn’t visited my hometown in two years—mainly because of Ava’s age and Matthew’s packed schedule. He never felt comfortable with me traveling alone with Ava, so I had stayed away.
As my mother’s voice trembled through the phone, my mind went blank. The word “stroke” rang in my ears, echoing like a warning bell. Panic hit me like a wave, and the guilt that followed was suffocating.
I was their only daughter. Yet, after college, I had drifted away from them. I rarely reached out, assuming they were fine. Meanwhile, I had devoted more time to Matthew’s family than my own. I thought I could take them for granted, believing they would always be there.
But now, hearing that my father was sick, everything felt different. A deep, gnawing sense of regret swept over me. They had always been there for me, waiting patiently for my visits, for my attention. But I hadn’t been there when they needed me the most.
My heart ached with the realization that I had been a terrible daughter. What could I possibly say to them now? How could I tell them about my marriage falling apart, about the cracks in the family I had built with Matthew?
But there was no time to dwell on it.
I rushed to Matthew’s office, barely holding back tears. “Honey, please book me a flight. I need to go home,” I blurted out, my voice shaky.
Matthew looked surprised, his focus shifting immediately from his work to me. “What’s wrong, honey?”
He motioned for the others to leave and then pulled me into his arms, his touch both familiar and comforting. “Calm down and tell me what happened.”
I struggled to control my emotions, the words escaping in broken sobs. “My mom called. Dad’s sick, and she’s asking me to come home immediately.”
Tears fell freely now, and I hadn’t realized how much I needed someone to lean on until that moment.
Matthew didn’t hesitate. He gave me a reassuring pat on the back. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. I’ll take care of all the arrangements. Go ahead, and I’ll handle things here before heading over. My parents can take care of Ava. Please don’t cry.”
His words, warm and steady, did little to quell the storm inside me, but they brought a small sense of comfort. I nestled against him, seeking refuge in his embrace, wishing I could stay in this moment forever.
Matthew quickly instructed his secretary, Jack, to book a flight for me. “I’ll take you home now. Bring a few more clothes and anything else you might need if you have to stay longer. Don’t worry. Stop crying, all right?”
I wiped my tears away and grabbed my bag, feeling both numb and frantic. My thoughts were scattered, but my only focus was getting to my father.
The weather outside was bleak, the skies overcast, and the forecast predicted a hurricane. It felt like the storm was closing in on me—not just the weather, but the emotional turmoil as well.
Matthew drove me to the airport, his phone ringing incessantly, but he kept his attention on me. “I have an appointment with Mr. Scott from Modern Metals,” he explained, glancing at his phone before turning his eyes back to me. “Go ahead and check in. I’ll wait until you clear security.”
I nodded, trying to keep my emotions in check. “Go ahead with your work. If my dad’s condition worsens, I’ll let you know.”
Matthew’s face softened with sincerity. “I promise. We’ve been too busy to spend enough time with your parents. Once I’ve wrapped up things at work, I’ll visit them too. We’ll make it right.”
His words hit me in a way I hadn’t expected. I was moved, and for a moment, I let myself believe in the possibility of things changing between us.
“I’ll have the finance department transfer some money to you,” he continued. “Don’t worry about the expenses. It’s our job to take care of them.” Matthew gently wiped away a tear from the corner of my eye. “Go on, I’ll watch you go.”
I sniffled and nodded, trying to steady my breathing. But as I turned away and made my way toward the gate, I couldn’t help but glance back. Each step felt heavier, my emotions a chaotic mess. When I looked back one last time, I saw him standing in the crowd, watching me leave. The image lingered for a moment, and then, suddenly, he was gone.
I stopped in my tracks, my heart sinking. I couldn’t see him anymore, and panic gripped me. The moment I’d been dreading had arrived—the reality of my situation began to set in.
I had hoped for a different outcome, that somehow Matthew’s support would make everything okay, but now, standing in the airport alone, I couldn’t escape the feeling that something was wrong.
The beautiful dream I had clung to was fading fast, and I was left to face the harsh reality.