CHAPTER 32: FORGIVE HER

~LAYLA~

"Admitted? What happened?" I asked, my voice filled with panic.

"She had a heart attack."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I gripped the phone tighter, my legs suddenly feeling weak.

"How is she? Is she okay? Can I speak to her?"

"She’s stable but unconscious. Are you able to come in tonight?"

"Yes, yes of course. What hospital? Where exactly are you located?"

The bathroom door opened and Axel walked out, his hair still damp from the shower. He took one look at my face and immediately moved toward me.

"St. Benedict General Hospital on Fifth Street," the nurse continued. "Visiting hours end at nine, but given the circumstances..."

"I’ll be there as soon as I can," I interrupted, already moving toward my suitcase. "Thank you."

I hung up and started throwing clothes into my bag frantically.

"Layla, what happened?" Axel asked, sounding concerned.

"My mother," I said without stopping my frantic packing. "She had a heart attack. She’s in the hospital unconscious."

"Jesus. I’m sorry."

"I have to leave tonight," I continued, grabbing items from the dresser. "I can’t wait until tomorrow. I’m so sorry about the hiking plans and everything you arranged."

"Slow down," Axel said firmly. "Take a breath."

"I can’t slow down," I protested, stuffing more clothes into my case. "I need to get there now."

"We’ll leave together," he said simply.

I stopped packing and turned to stare at him. "What?"

"We’ll fly back tonight. Together."

"Axel, you don’t need to do that. I’m fine going alone. You don’t have to cut your trip short because of my family drama."

"Sit down for a minute," he said, gesturing to the bed. "You’re shaking."

I hadn’t realised I was, but when I looked at my hands, they were trembling. I sat down heavily, trying to gather myself.

"I can handle this alone," I said again, though my voice sounded less convincing even to my own ears.

"I know you can," he replied. "But you’re not going alone."

"Why?" I asked, looking up at him. "Why are you helping me? Especially when I know that you hate my family."

Axel went quiet for a long moment, and his expression was hard to read. Finally, he said, "You’re my wife. Consider this compensation for the deal you secured tonight."

Before I could respond, he grabbed his phone. "I need to make some calls to rearrange our schedule. Keep packing."

He stepped out onto the balcony to make his calls while I continued stuffing things into my suitcase. My mind was racing with questions.

What could have possibly stressed my mother so much that it triggered a heart attack? Was it our back and forth? Or was it something my father did? Had they been fighting again?

By the time I finished packing, Axel had returned from his calls.

"The valet will move our things to the car," he said efficiently. "Let me dress. Then I’ll meet you downstairs and check out."

"That was fast," I said, impressed despite my anxiety.

"Money talks," he replied. "Especially when you need things done quickly."

My phone rang again. This time it was Erica.

"Hey girl!" she said brightly. "I was thinking about our plans for tomorrow. Maybe we could start with brunch and then..."

"Erica," I interrupted. "We’re leaving tonight. My mother had a heart attack."

"Oh my God, Layla. I’m so sorry. Is she okay?"

"I don’t know. She’s unconscious. I just need to get to the hospital."

"Where are you right now? I’m coming to see you before you leave."

"We’re at the hotel, but we’re about to check out—"

"I’ll be there in ten minutes. Don’t leave without saying goodbye."

She hung up before I could protest. I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs while Axel dressed up. Within five minutes, Axel was at the reception desk, looking every inch the successful businessman as he settled our account.

I was still wearing my burgundy gala dress, not having had time to change or even remove my makeup properly.

"Do you need a few minutes to freshen up or change?" Axel asked when he noticed.

"No," I said firmly. "I just need to get to her. I can change later."

"Alright. The car’s ready whenever you are."

Just as we were walking toward the exit, I heard Erica calling my name. She rushed through the lobby doors, still dressed in her own evening attire.

"Layla!" She immediately pulled me into a tight hug. "I’m so sorry about your mother. Are you okay?"

"I don’t know," I admitted, holding onto her. "I’m scared."

"She’s going to be fine," Erica said firmly. "Your mother is a strong woman. She’s going to pull through this."

Then, to my surprise, she turned and hugged Axel too. "Take care of her," she said seriously.

"Of course," Axel replied, though he seemed as surprised by the hug as I was.

It felt weird seeing Erica hug my husband like that, but I told myself she was just being nice. She’d always been an affectionate person.

"I want you to keep me updated, okay?" Erica said, turning back to me. "Text me when you know more about your mother’s condition."

"I will," I promised. "And thank you for coming."

"Always," she said, hugging me one more time. "Now go. And be safe."

As we walked to the car, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something about that goodbye had been strange, but I pushed the thought away. I had more important things to worry about for now.

"Just how well do you know Erica?" Axel asked as we got into the car.

"She’s been my best friend since high school," I replied. "Why do you ask?"

Axel didn’t respond immediately, starting the engine and pulling out of the hotel parking garage.

"Is there a reason you’re asking?" I pressed.

"No reason," he said, but his tone suggested otherwise.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that his question had something to do with that hug, but before I could pursue it further, we were pulling up to the private hangar where Axel’s jet was waiting.

The flight felt like eternity. I spent most of it staring out the window, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Axel worked quietly on his laptop, occasionally glancing over at me with concern.

A few hours later, we were landing. As we did, I checked my phone. It was nearly midnight.

"We could wait until morning," Axel suggested gently. "Visiting hours are over, and you’re exhausted."

"I won’t be able to rest until I see her," I said firmly. "I only need to see her for a few minutes. Just to know she’s really okay."

Axel nodded without argument. "St. Benedict General, right?"

"Yes."

The drive to the hospital was quiet. I kept checking my phone, hoping for an update, but there was nothing. The city looked kind of different for some reason, more fragile somehow, like everything could change in an instant.

At the hospital, Axel parked near the emergency entrance.

"I’ll wait here," he said.

"You don’t have to. I’ll only be a minute."

"I’m not leaving you here alone at midnight, Layla. Go. I’ll be right here when you come back."

I nodded gratefully and hurried inside. The emergency department was quieter than I’d expected but still bustling with the late-night chaos of a city hospital. I approached the nurses’ station.

"I’m looking for Ellen Heart," I said to the nurse on duty. "She was admitted earlier today with a heart attack."

"Are you family?"

"I’m her daughter, Layla."

The nurse checked her computer. "Room 314. Take the elevator to the third floor."

I found the room easily enough, but nothing could have prepared me for seeing my mother lying there, so small and fragile, connected to tubes and monitors. The steady beep of the heart monitor was both reassuring and terrifying.

I pulled a chair close to her bed and took her hand gently. It felt cold and thin in mine.

"Mom," I whispered, "I’m here."

Her face was peaceful but pale, and she looked older than her age. The stress of the past few weeks, had clearly taken its toll on her.

"I forgive you," I continued quietly, tears starting to fall. "I forgive you for everything. So please don’t die."

I had started this revenge to hurt them the same way they hurt me. I wanted them to feel the same pain I had felt. But staring at my mother right now, something inside of me broke. My revenge suddenly felt petty. Useless. I don’t want her to die. That can’t be on me.

The sound of footsteps in the hallway made me look up, and my heart sank as my father appeared in the doorway.

His face immediately went cold when he spotted me sitting beside my mother’s bed. "What are you doing here?"