Counterattack Of The Useless Son-in-law

Chapter eight

(After the Meeting)

The board eventually ended, leaving James and Bella alone in the room. James exhaled deeply, running a hand through his hair. “That was... intense.”

“You handled it well,” Bella said, handing him a bottle of water. “I am sure this would shut them up for now.”

James took a sip. “Let them try. I didn’t come this far to be intimidated.”

Bella’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. “Robert wants to meet with you this evening. He said something about a personal matter.”

James frowned. “Any idea what it’s about?”

She shook her head. “He didn’t say, but it sounded important.”

---

Later That Evening

James arrived at Robert’s mansion. The grandeur of the estate was magnificent and breathtaking. Robert greeted him in the study, a glass of whiskey in hand.

“Bella told me about the meeting,” Robert said, gesturing to a chair. “You handled yourself better than I expected.”

“Thanks,” James replied, sitting down.

Robert chuckled, his expression turning serious. “I wanted to talk to you about your mother.”

James stiffened. “What about her?”

“She’s been asking to see you,” Robert said. “I know I promised to arrange a visit, but... there’s something you should know.”

James leaned forward, his pulse quickening for some reason. He couldn't pinpoint the reason, but he just felt that whatever Robert was about to say would not be good news. “What is it?”

Robert hesitated, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “Theresa’s condition is worse than I let on. The doctors are not hopeful. If you want to see her, it has to be soon.”

The weight of Robert’s words hit James like a punch to the gut. He nodded slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll go.”

---

As James left the mansion, the cool night air did little to calm the storm raging inside him. His mother—a figure he’d longed to meet for so many years—was slipping away.

Bella waited by the car, her usual Stoic expression softening when she saw his face. “You okay?”

James didn’t answer immediately, staring at the city lights in the distance. “Tomorrow,” he said finally. “We’ll visit her tomorrow.”

Bella nodded, her gaze steady. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

The car zoomed off in the direction of James's home.

The next morning arrived. Bella, as punctual as ever, was already waiting outside James’s apartment when he stepped out. Today, she chose a simple outfit: a dark gray blazer over a white blouse.

“Everything is arranged,” she said quietly, holding the car door open.

“You're my assistant, not my bodyguard. You don't need to accompany me everywhere I go. I will go alone. Just consider today a day off for yourself. Thanks." James smiled gratefully. He didn't like being a burden to anyone and because of how he was treated by his ex-wife and former in-laws, he was always kind and compassionate towards other people.

Bella's constant company, even when she opened the car door for him, made him feel like he was abusing his power, and he didn't feel good about it.

Bella chuckled after she heard his words, “You're clearly abusing your power by dismissing me and telling me to leave when I want to stay, y'know?"

James sighed and nodded, slipping inside without another word. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anticipation, fear, guilt. The drive to the private care facility felt both excruciatingly long and painfully brief.

At the Hospital

The hospital was tucked away on a quiet hillside, surrounded by neatly tended gardens and the soft sound of birds singing. Bella led James through a series of corridors until they reached a room at the end of a quiet hallway. Robert was already waiting outside the door.

“She’s just inside,” Robert said, his voice gentle. “Take your time.”

James hesitated, his hand hovering over the doorknob. He took a deep breath before pushing it open.

The room was bathed in soft, natural light. On the bed lay a frail woman, her once-vibrant hair now a dull gray. Machines beeped softly beside her, monitoring her condition.

As James stepped closer, her eyes fluttered open, focusing on him. Though she was in her mid-40s, she still looked very beautiful. Her eyes were like the natural rainforest, green and beautiful.

As she moved her eyeballs to his direction, recognition lit up her tear-streaked face, and her trembling lips moved, but no sound came out. Instead, tears began to stream down her cheeks, and she broke into silent sobs.

James felt his throat tighten. He knelt by her bedside, taking her frail hand in his. “It’s me, Mom,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I’m here.”

Theresa tried to speak, but the aftermath of the stroke she suffered made her words unclear. She felt frustrated, and the more she struggled, the more she cried.

“Shh, it’s okay,” James said softly, caressing her hair gently as if soothing a child. Then he placed a small kiss on her forehead. “You don’t have to say anything. I know you missed me. I missed you too.”

But Theresa’s distress only seemed to grow. James knew she wanted to tell him something important and her inability to do that made her frustrated. He didn’t want to see her cry or stressed, so James grabbed a notebook and pen from a nearby table to understand her better.

He placed them in her trembling hands. “Write it down, Mom. Whatever you want to say—just write it.”

Her hands quivered as she attempted to hold the pen, but her grip was weak. Before she could form a single word, the machines beside her began to beep erratically. The door burst open, and doctors rushed in.

One of them, a stern-looking woman with a stethoscope around her neck, turned to James. “She’s in a fragile state. The emotional stress is too much for her. You’ll need to leave so we can stabilize her.”

"But she-

Robert placed a firm hand on his shoulder. “James, let’s step out. We can come back another day. Your mom's condition isn't good now.”

Reluctantly, James allowed Robert to guide him toward the door. But before he could leave, Theresa cried harder, her sobs now accompanied by guttural sounds as she desperately tried to form words. She stretched out her trembling hands toward James, her eyes pleading with him not to go.

James froze, clenching his fists tightly at his sides. He wanted nothing more than to turn back, to hold her just a little longer, to reassure her that he was there and wouldn’t leave her again. His love for his mother, a person he just met was too overwhelming to ignore.

“James,” Robert said firmly, stepping closer. “I know this is hard, but she needs calm right now. The doctors will administer sedatives. It’s for her own good. Please, for her sake.”

James took a shuddering breath, his fists still clenched. Slowly, he nodded, forcing himself to step toward the door.

As he turned to leave, he caught a fleeting glimpse of something in his mother’s eyes. It was a flash of emotion—fear. It was so brief that he wondered if he had imagined it, but the image stayed with him, haunting him as he walked out.

Robert stayed behind, stepping into the room as the door clicked shut behind James. Bella was waiting in the hallway, her gaze soft with sympathy.

---

Outside the Hospital.

Bella was waiting by the car, her usually calm expression switched to concern. “How is she?”

James shook his head, his gaze distant. “She couldn’t talk. She tried, but...” His voice trailed off, and he rubbed a hand over his face. “I should’ve been there for her sooner.”

He always craved a mother since the day he realized how important a maternal figure was in his life. Today, he reunited with his mom, but this was not the reunion he had hoped for.

He wanted to have a conversation with his mom to share what he had experienced after leaving the orphanage. He knew that she also had many things to say to him, including something important.

His mind flashed back to the look in her eyes when she reached for him.

Bella’s voice was heard firm but kind. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”

James didn’t respond immediately, staring at the hospital building as if hoping for a miracle. Finally, he exhaled deeply. “Please take me home.”

Bella nodded, and the car pulled away, leaving the hospital.