Page 56 of My Ruthless Opponent

How can I forget that night after the accident in the hospital? I had to break the news about Mom to him.

That was the day he gave up on his life entirely. Dad has always been a protective shield of us.

He thinks he failed to protect Mom and me. And he is punishing himself for it by living a life where he is dependent on other people.

“But there’s still hope for recovery, right? After today…”

“Yes. We won’t make any changes to his routine. But you’ll have to come to see him. Whatever you said to him during your conversation derived a reaction from him.”

Mom. I talked about Mom today.

My nose tingles again. He loves her so much. After spending a year being lifeless, a mere mention of her breathed life into him.

Thank you, Mom. For looking after us even when you’re not with us anymore.

“You might find my next question absurd, but I don’t think I could leave without asking it.” I give him a sheepish look.

He smiles politely. “It’s okay. Go ahead.”

“How long would it take him to recover fully? I know you can’t give the correct estimation but I was thinking of moving him back to my apartment.”

He places his forearms on the desk and leans forward. “Do you remember why you decided to place him here with us in the first place?”

I couldn’t look after him. I had no time to give him the proper care.

Even with a full-time nurse, Dad was caged in my small apartment all the time.

Then Archer suggested this center where he could be looked after.

I was reluctant until he drove me here for a tour. When I saw how good caregivers were with their patients and clients, I agreed.

I lower my head and stare at my hands in my lap.

I was thinking of leaving this city after resigning from my job.

Without a job, I wouldn’t be able to afford home care services.

I’ll have to move because I would never work for Archer’s competitors. I can’t do that to him.

There was no way I was going to get the promotion.

The last of my luck ran out the moment I saw Raleigh beside me in that gala.

Archer had said if we both failed to get a new client, the merge would still take place. The only difference would be Raleigh and I will have to share the same office and same post of Creative Director as partners.

My life is already stressed, I would not be able to handle more by sharing my working space with him.

“I understand what you are going through. He is your father. You are emotional right now. But these things take time. We can’t speed up his recovery. It is up to him. All we can do is give him the best care which we are. Moving him means a change in the environment. The sudden change can have a positive or negative impact on him. But what if his condition becomes worse? We suggest you rethink your decision about moving him.”

Dr. Riaz’s words echoes in my mind long after I left his office.

I should be driving right now instead of sitting and staring through the windshield aimlessly.

Lunch break is long over. And I am sitting in the parking lot of the homecare center with a growling stomach and a throbbing headache.

All of it is so overwhelming. I fold my arms on the steering wheel and drop my forehead on them.

Tears soak my shirt sleeves. I have been crying a lot these days.

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