Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex-Chapter 99: A suffocating Presence

Diane’s POV

The quiet of the hospital waiting room enveloped me like a cocoon, sheltering me from the emotional storm that had just erupted in my mother’s room. My hands remained on my belly, drawing comfort from the twins’ movements as I tried to process everything that had just happened.

My parents...reunited after decades apart...holding hands like young lovers. Andrew kneeling at my mother’s bedside, tears streaming down his face as he begged for forgiveness. And then Sophie, appearing in the doorway at the worst possible moment, her presence a stark reminder of the betrayal that still cut so deep.

I don’t know how long I sat there, lost in thought, but eventually the door to the waiting room opened. I looked up, half-expecting...dreading...to see Sophie, but instead, it was Joan.

"There you are," she said softly, settling into the chair beside me. "I’ve been looking everywhere."

"I couldn’t stay in there," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Not with her."

Joan nodded, understanding without needing elaboration. "How are you feeling?"

I laughed humorlessly. "Like my entire world keeps turning upside down every few days." I shifted in the chair, trying to find a comfortable position as the twins seemed determined to practice their gymnastics. "Just when I think I understand what’s happening, everything changes again."

Joan reached over and squeezed my hand. "That’s a lot for anyone to handle, let alone someone pregnant with twins."

We sat in companionable silence for a moment before I voiced the thought that had been circling in my mind. "Did you see them? My parents?"

"I did," Joan confirmed, a small smile playing at her lips. "It was... unexpected."

"That’s one word for it," I agreed. "All those years of bitterness, of my mother refusing to even speak his name, and now they’re looking at each other like..." I trailed off, unable to find the right words.

"Like they never stopped loving each other," Joan finished for me.

The truth of her words hit me hard. Since finding out the truth that my father is still alive, I’d seen Andrew as the villain in our family—the man who abandoned us, who chose his addiction over his family. And while those facts remained true, I was beginning to see there was more to him than I’d allowed myself to acknowledge.

"I don’t know what to do with this," I confessed, gesturing vaguely as if I could point to the complicated emotions swirling inside me. "It’s like everything I thought I knew about my family was just... a child’s understanding. Incomplete."

Joan nodded thoughtfully. "Most family are more complicated than they appear from the outside. Or even from the inside, sometimes."

A soft knock at the door interrupted our conversation. Dr. Chen entered, her expression warm but professional.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said. "I just wanted to check on you, Diane. How are you feeling?"

"I’m okay," I assured her, though the exhaustion was beginning to settle into my bones. "Just needed some space to think."

Dr. Chen nodded understandingly. "Your mother is asking for you. But," she added quickly, seeing my expression, "I told her you needed rest and would return when you were ready. There’s no rush."

"Thank you," I said gratefully. "How is she? Really?"

"Physically, she’s stable and responding well to treatment. Dr. Chen paused, choosing her next words carefully. "But emotionally? The stress that triggered this attack hasn’t disappeared. I’ve advised her quite firmly about the importance of avoiding stressful situations."

"Which means no family drama," Joan interjected with a wry smile.

Dr. Chen’s lips quirked up slightly. "I may have phrased it more diplomatically, but yes, essentially."

I sighed, running a hand over my face. "That might be easier said than done."

"Perhaps," Dr. Chen acknowledged. "But sometimes a health crisis can serve as a wake-up call—not just for the patient, but for the entire family."

Her words hung in the air, gently pointed without being accusatory. I nodded, acknowledging the truth in them.

"I’ll go back in a few minutes," I promised. "I just need a little more time."

"Of course," Dr. Chen agreed. "And Diane? Don’t forget that these stress management recommendations apply to you as well. For your sake and your babies’."

With that gentle reminder, she left us alone again. I leaned back in my chair, suddenly feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me.

"Maybe we should get you home," Joan suggested. "You look dead on your feet."

I shook my head. "I can’t leave her. Not tonight."

Joan’s brow furrowed with concern. "You need rest, Diane."

"Thank you." I squeezed her hand gratefully. "For everything."

"That’s what friends are for," she replied with a smile. "Now, should I go get us some terrible hospital tea while you gather your strength to go back in there?"

I chuckled despite myself.

As Joan left in search of tea, I steeled myself for what awaited me back in my mother’s room. Whatever complicated feelings I had about Andrew and Sophie, I needed to set them aside for now. My mother’s recovery had to be the priority.

Taking a deep breath, I heaved myself up from the chair and made my way slowly back toward her room.

---

The night at the hospital passed in a blur of uncomfortable chairs, whispered conversations, and nurses doing their rounds. Joan had gone home late in the evening to grab us fresh clothes, but I stayed, unwilling to leave my mother’s side. Andrew, to my surprise, stayed as well, dozing fitfully in a chair near the window while Sophie curled up on the small couch in the corner of the room.

Despite my earlier exit, we had all reached an unspoken truce for my mother’s sake. Sophie and I didn’t speak directly to each other, but we managed to coexist in the same room without visible tension. It wasn’t peace, but it was a start.

My mother slept through most of the night, the monitor beside her bed beeping steadily, a reassuring reminder that she was stable. I dozed off and on, jerking awake whenever a nurse came in or one of the twins gave a particularly enthusiastic kick.

By morning, the room felt stuffy and claustrophobic. Joan arrived early, bringing fresh clothes and breakfast that wasn’t hospital food...a small mercy I hadn’t known to ask for but was deeply grateful to receive.

"You look like you could use a shower and about twelve hours of sleep," she observed, setting down a bag with my clothes and a takeout container that smelled heavenly.

"That obvious, huh?" I managed a tired smile, accepting the container and opening it to find warm croissants and fresh fruit.

"I hate to add to your stress," Joan continued, lowering her voice, "but I have a client meeting I really can’t miss. I was wondering if it would be okay if I went home to freshen up and then head to work? Andrew and Sophie are still here, so you won’t be alone."

I nodded, understanding the unspoken question...would I be okay with just my father and sister for company? "It’s fine," I assured her. "Go. We’ll manage."

"You’re sure? I could try to reschedule—"

"Joan," I interrupted gently, "go to work. We’ll be fine. I’ll call if anything changes."

She looked relieved. "Thank you. I’ll come back tonight, I promise."

After Joan left, a strange quiet settled over the room. Sophie made several tentative attempts to engage me in conversation, asking if I needed anything or if I wanted her to get me some tea, but I responded with nods or shakes of my head, never meeting her eyes.

Our parents watched this tense dance with worried expressions but respected my silent treatment of Sophie. For now, at least, no one was pushing for reconciliation.

Around mid-morning, Dr. Chen arrived with good news...my mother could be discharged that day. Her heart showed no further signs of distress, and her vitals were stable.

"She’ll need to rest at home for the next few weeks," Dr. Chen explained, "and she’ll need to take these medications regularly." She handed a prescription list to Andrew. "No stress, proper diet, and regular checkups."

"Thank you, Dr. Chen," my mother said, her voice stronger than it had been the day before. "For everything."

Andrew nodded his agreement. "Yes, thank you for taking such good care of Helena."

Dr. Chen smiled. "That’s what we’re here for. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go prepare the discharge papers."

"I’ll handle the paperwork," Andrew volunteered immediately. "Diane, Sophie, stay with your mother. I won’t be long."

He headed for the door, pausing briefly to speak to the two security guards who had come with us to the hospital and maintained a discreet presence outside my mother’s room all night.

As Andrew opened the door, both men straightened, greeting him with respect. "Morning, sir," one of them said. "How is Mrs. Helena doing today?"

"Much better, thank you, Dan," Andrew replied. "She’ll be discharged today."

After Andrew left, my mother patted the bed beside her, inviting me to sit. "Diane," she began hesitantly, "Your father has suggested that we all go to his house after discharge. But I know how difficult things have been, and I don’t want to put any additional stress on you, especially now." She glanced meaningfully at my belly.

Before I could respond, she continued, "I think it might be best if we continue staying at Joan’s for now. You’re comfortable there, and in your condition, I don’t think you should be changing environments. Your father can visit whenever he likes, of course." She looked at me questioningly, seeking my approval.

I was touched by her consideration. Despite her own obvious desire to spend time with Andrew, she was putting my needs first. "That sounds good," I agreed. "But are you sure? I know you and... Dad... have a lot of catching up to do."

The word "Dad" felt strange on my tongue after so many years of avoiding it, but the smile that lit up my mother’s face made the momentary discomfort worth it.

"There will be plenty of time for that," she assured me. "Right now, I want to be where you need me to be."

I felt my eyes filling with tears...pregnancy hormones making me more emotional than usual, I told myself, though I knew it was more than that. It was the realization that despite everything, my mother still put me first. Always had. ƒreewebɳovel.com

When Andrew returned with the discharge papers and a bag of prescription medications, my mother shared our decision. Though I could see a flash of disappointment cross his face, he quickly masked it with understanding.

"Of course," he agreed. "Whatever makes you both most comfortable." He turned to Sophie, who had been quietly observing our conversation. "Sophie, why don’t you ride back with my driver? We’ll take your mother and Diane to Joan’s."

I caught Sophie’s eye for the first time since she’d arrived at the hospital. She looked hurt but resigned, understanding without words that I wasn’t ready to have her in my home. "Sure, Dad," she said quietly. "I’ll see you later."

Part of me felt guilty for excluding her so deliberately, but another part...the part still raw from her betrayal...couldn’t bear the thought of sharing the same space with her just yet. Maybe someday, but not today.