Brian's Revenge: The rejected son-in-law

Chapter 2

Brian kept walking at the center of a very busy street, his feet moving with speed as he proceeded towards the hospital.

He had one major purpose - to see if he could plead for an extension on the payment for Mrs. Violet's medical bills, which were due today. The hospital was still a bit far, and with no money for transport, he had no alternative but to walk.

The sun blazed down on the street, and Brian wiped the sweat from his forehead with a shaky palm. His thoughts laced with concern, knowing that the deadline for the bill was close. He pushed on, keeping his hope alive.

After what seemed like an unending walk, Brian finally got to the entrance of the hospital. He walked through the packed emergency room and made his way to the cashier's desk.

The queue was lengthy, packed with people in different stages of anxiousness and probably hope.

Brian took a deep breath, gripping the files containing Mrs. Violet's invoices hard in his hands. He waited anxiously, practicing what he would say to appeal for an extension.

As he got closer to the counter, his heart started beating fast, knowing that the result of this conversation might make a world of difference for Mrs. Violet's health and well-being.

As Brian patiently waited in line at the hospital cashier's desk, his head flooded with ideas on how to get an extension for Mrs. Violet's bills. The line moved slowly, but he eventually found himself one step closer to the counter.

When it was finally his time, Brian approached the cashier, a fatigued though pleasant lady called Sarah. She glanced up from her papers, and upon seeing Brian, her eyes shone with a bright grin.

"Hello there," she welcomed him, "How can I assist you today?"

Brian stopped for a second, ready to explain his problem, but before he could voice a word, Sarah's grin broadened. She said, "Oh, you must be here for Mrs. Violet's bill, right?"

Brian was taken aback. "Yes," he said, astonished that she knew. "I'm here to ask for an extension."

Sarah's grin got even brighter as she leaned in slightly and whispered, "Well, you're in for a big surprise. Someone has already taken care of Mrs. Violet's bill, and not only that, she's been relocated to a VIP room with a beautiful view."

Brian stood there, absolutely astonished and unable to believe what he had just heard. "Someone paid her bill and upgraded her room? But who?"

Sarah merely shrugged, retaining her cheery tone. "I'm not sure who it was, but it was quite the wonderful gift. Mrs. Violet is one fortunate patient today."

Brian moved away from the counter, a maelstrom of emotions racing through him. He examined the hospital's waiting room, attempting to figure out who among the people he knew might have done such a kind and unexpected thing.

As Brian stood there, attempting to get his brain around the anonymous act of compassion that had cleared Mrs. Violet's bills, he was approached by a man in his early sixties. Brian recognized him instantly as James, his grandfather's long-serving servant.

Their eyes met, and Brian's expression contorted with a combination of astonishment and rage. Memories from his childhood flooding back, reminding him of the day his grandpa had sent him and his parents away, an incident that had eventually led to his parents' fatal accident only a week later.

"What do you want?" Brian asked, his voice tinged with hatred. "Why are you here?"

James, appearing older and feeble compared to Brian's recollections of him, returned Brian's stare with a combination of regret and despair. "Brian, it's been a long time. I'm here to apologize."

Brian's fury increased as he shouted, "Apologize? After all these years? You stood there and watched as my grandpa kicked us out of his home and my parents died a week after you did nothing to help us back then."

James bowed his head, his next word filled with guilt. "I know, Brian. I should have done more. I was loyal to your grandpa, but I also regret not doing what was right for your family."

Brian's hands tightened at his sides as he battled to suppress his wrath. "It's too late for apologies now. What do you want from me?"

James, feeling the rage in Brian's emotions, proceeded to speak in a quiet tone, "Brian, I need you to listen carefully. It was your grandpa who brought me here, and he's the one who paid Mrs. Violet's bill."

Brian's eyes widened in disbelief, his wrath temporarily forgotten. "My grandfather? But why would he do it after all these years?"

James nodded slowly, as though exposing a well-kept secret. "Your grandpa, he genuinely regrets what happened to your family. He learnt about Mrs. Violet's illness and the financial hardship it caused on you. It's been troubling him."

Brian's thoughts raced as he sought to grasp this discovery. His grandpa, a man notorious for his intransigence and pride, had clearly borne a load of guilt. "I can't believe this," Brian murmured.

James said, "He asked me to find you and help clear Mrs. Violet's bills as a way of making amends, not just for himself but for the pain he caused you and your parents."

Brian stood there, astonished and dumbfounded. The weight of years of bitterness and wrath towards his grandpa was still there.

James moved in closer, his eyes filled with a feeling of desperation. "Brian, you should come back with me to your grandpa. He wants to meet you, and he's genuinely regretful."

Brian paused, still uneasy about approaching the man who had sent him and his parents away. "I'm not ready for that yet, James. You know I can't forgive him simply like that."

James nodded in understanding, then went into his pocket and brought out a sleek black premium platinum card. He gave it to Brian, who looked at it skeptically. "What's this?"

"It's from your grandfather," James said. "He knew you may not be ready to come back just yet, but he wants to make apologies. That card is your way to settling any financial troubles, including Mrs. Violet's expenses."

Brian grimaced at the statement, still conflicted. "Money won't buy forgiveness."

James, with a knowing grin, answered, "I understand, Brian. But remember, Mrs. Violet could still need financial aid, and this card might make a difference. It's a gesture of kindness."

Brian's curiosity got the better of him, and he said, "How much is on this card, anyway?"

James answered carelessly, "Ten billion dollars."

Brian's mouth fell, unable to fathom the amount of money his grandfather was giving him.