Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex-Chapter 97: Between Life and Death

Diane’s POV

Time seemed to slow down as the security detail carried my mother’s limp body to the waiting SUV. My hands trembled as I fumbled with my phone, scrolling frantically to find my father’s number.

"Please answer, please answer," I whispered as the phone rang. My free hand cradled my belly protectively.

"Diane?" Andrew’s voice came through, concern evident immediately. "Is everything alright?"

"It’s Mom," I choked out, tears streaming down my face as I climbed into the SUV beside Joan, who was holding my mother’s hand. "She collapsed. We’re taking her to the hospital now."

The sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line told me everything I needed to know about his feelings for my mother, regardless of their complicated past.

"Which hospital?" Oh God, he breathed, and I could hear the genuine terror in his voice. "I’m on my way. I’ll be there as fast as I can."

I relayed the information, surprised by the urgency in his tone. Despite everything...the abandonment, the lies...there was genuine fear there. Fear for the woman he had once loved enough to marry, to have children with. And still loved.

"Diane, she’ll be okay. Your mother is the strongest woman I’ve ever known."

"Hurry," was all I could manage before ending the call.

And then focused on my mother’s pale face as we sped toward the hospital. Joan had managed to elevate my mother’s head slightly, using her jacket as a makeshift pillow.

Joan squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. "She’s going to be okay, Diane. Your mom is strong. She’s a fighter, just like you."

I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. The security detail navigated traffic with expert precision, occasionally using their emergency lights to clear a path.

"Almost there," the security detail announced, making a sharp turn that brought the hospital into view.

When we arrived, everything happened with dizzying speed. Emergency personnel surrounded the SUV as soon as it stopped, efficiently transferring my mother onto a stretcher. A nurse guided Joan and me through the emergency department doors, asking questions that I struggled to answer through my panic.

"Has she complained of chest pain recently?"

"Any history of heart problems?"

"Is she on medication?"

"Any recent trauma or unusual stress?"

At the last question, I let out a bitter laugh that turned into a sob. "Yes. Unusual stress. You could say that."

"Ma’am, are you family?" A young doctor approached me as I struggled to keep up with my mother’s stretcher, my pregnant state making rapid movement difficult.

"I’m her daughter," I managed. "Please, you have to help her."

"We’ll do everything we can," he assured me. "Can you tell me what happened?"

As Joan helped me to a seat in the waiting area, I recounted finding my mother collapsed on the floor, her labored breathing, her unresponsiveness. The doctor nodded, making quick notes before disappearing through the same doors they had taken my mother.

"Joan," I whispered, clutching her hand like a lifeline. "What if she—"

"Don’t," Joan cut me off firmly. "Don’t go there. She’s getting help now. That’s what matters."

We sat in tense silence, the minutes crawling by with excruciating slowness. My mind raced with regrets—the harsh words I’d spoken to my mother about her deception, my refusal to understand her position, the way I’d pushed her away when she only wanted to comfort me. What if those were the last words I ever said to her?

A familiar voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "Dr. Chen?"

I looked up to see her hurrying toward us, concern etched across her features. "Diane? I was just coming on shift when I heard about your mother. Are you okay?"

"Dr. Chen?" I called out, struggling to my feet as I shook my head, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. "They took her in there. I don’t know what’s happening."

After I told her everything, she disappeared through a set of double doors, leaving Joan and me to continue our anxious wait. Joan kept one arm wrapped protectively around me, occasionally murmuring reassurances.

"Family of Helena Evans?" a voice called after what felt like an eternity.

I looked up to see Dr. Chen approaching with another doctor, their expressions carefully neutral in that way medical professionals perfect to avoid telegraphing bad news.

"Yes," I said, standing with Joan’s help. "I’m her daughter." freёwebnoѵel.com

"I’m Dr. Patel," the other doctor introduced himself. "Your mother has suffered a heart attack, Mrs. Ashton. We’ve stabilized her condition, but she’ll need to be monitored closely for the next 24 to 48 hours."

My hand flew to my mouth. "A heart attack? But she’s always been so healthy..."

Dr. Patel nodded sympathetically. "Sometimes heart attacks can be triggered by extreme stress. Has your mother been under unusual pressure lately?"

I exchanged a look with Joan, remembering the explosive revelations of the past months, the confrontations, the tears and fears. "Yes," I whispered. "Extreme stress would be an understatement."

"She’s stable now," Dr. Chen interjected, her voice gentle. "But she’ll need to avoid stress moving forward. This should be considered a warning sign, a message from her body that she needs to slow down and take care of herself."

"Can I see her?" I asked, desperate to confirm with my own eyes that she was truly alright.

Dr. Patel nodded. "She’s being moved to a room now. A nurse will come get you in a few minutes. Try not to agitate her, she needs rest more than anything else right now."

As the doctors turned to leave, Dr. Chen paused. "Diane, while you’re here, I’d like to do a quick check-up on you as well. You are already due for an appointment anyway, and given the circumstances..."

I nodded, knowing she was right to be concerned. The stress of the past few days couldn’t be good for the twins.

A nurse appeared shortly after, guiding Joan and me through the sterile hallways to my mother’s room. The sight of her lying in the hospital bed, pale and small against the white sheets, tubes and wires connecting her to various machines, nearly broke me. This strong woman who had raised two daughters alone, who had weathered abandonment and rebuilt a life from nothing, now looked so fragile.

I approached the bed cautiously, taking her hand in mine. Her eyes fluttered open at my touch, a weak smile forming on her lips.

"Sweetheart," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Mom," I choked back a sob, squeezing her hand gently. "You scared me to death. Don’t you ever do that again."

Tears welled in her eyes as she nodded slightly. "I’m sorry, sweetheart."

"Don’t apologize," I said, stroking her hair back from her forehead. "Just focus on getting better. The doctor says you need to avoid stress."

A weak laugh escaped her. "Easier said than done in this family."

Joan moved to the other side of the bed, smiling down at my mother. "Don’t worry, Helena. I’ll make sure Diane behaves herself."

My mother’s gaze shifted to Joan, gratitude evident in her eyes. She nodded slightly, too weak to speak further.

"Your mom needs rest now," a nurse said from the doorway. "Dr. Chen is ready for you, Diane."

I hesitated, reluctant to leave my mother’s side.

"Go," Joan urged. "I’ll stay with her. You need to take care of yourself and those babies."

With a final squeeze of my mother’s hand, I followed the nurse to an examination room where Dr. Chen waited

The check-up was thorough but quick, blood pressure elevated but not dangerously so, fetal heartbeats strong and reassuring. measurements of my portruding belly.

"The twins are doing remarkably well," Dr. Chen said as I adjusted my clothing. "But I’m concerned about you, Diane. Your blood pressure is higher than I’d like, and there are signs of stress that could lead to complications if not addressed."

I nodded, unsurprised. "It’s been... difficult lately."

Dr. Chen’s expression softened with understanding. "I know you’re going through a lot right now, but this is a critical time in your pregnancy. You need to prioritize your health and the health of your babies. That means avoiding stress as much as possible."

"My mother just had a heart attack, my sister betrayed me with my husband, who tried to kill me, and I recently discovered my father isn’t dead after all," I said with a humorless laugh. "Avoiding stress isn’t exactly an option right now."

"Then you need to find healthy ways to manage it," Dr. Chen insisted, writing out a prescription. "I’m recommending some prenatal supplements to support you and the babies, but what you really need is rest, good nutrition, and peace of mind. Can you do that for your children, if not for yourself?"

Her words hit me hard. These innocent babies deserved better than to suffer for the chaos of their mother’s life. I placed a protective hand over my belly, feeling one of the twins roll beneath my palm.

"I’ll try," I promised.

Walking back toward my mother’s room, prescription in hand, I was so lost in thought that I nearly collided with someone rounding the corner.

"I’m sorry, I—" The words died on my lips as I looked up into Andrew’s worried face.

My father.