The Tycoon's Son-in-Law

Chapter 2

Lucas's pov

I burst into the ward, and the scene before me weakened my knees. 

Some nurses were hastily disconnecting my mother's life-support systems, while Dr. Collins turned to face me with a glaring scowl. 

“Thank goodness you're here. I was going to dump her outside if you didn't show up soon.’’ He conceded in a mean voice. 

“Wh..what's going on?’’ My voice trembled. 

‘‘Isn't it obvious?’’ He sneered. “We can't accommodate your mother anymore, take her away, elsewhere. It's none of my business.’’ He stormed out of the room, leaving me shaken. 

The nurses watched me with disdain, but I ignored them and rushed to my mother's bedside. Her weary eyes brimmed with tears, she could barely manage a gesture. 

“Mom, are you okay?’’  I fought hard to hold back my tears, my heart tearing apart. 

“You can just take me home.’’ She whispered weakly, but that was impossible. She's totally incompetent and needs hospitalization. 

‘‘Don't worry, I'll fix it,’’ I reassured her. 

“Sir, please take her out. We're done with the drips.’’ A nurse intervened rudely. 

I ignored her and raced out to find Dr. Collins and after what felt like an eternity, I finally spotted him exiting another ward. 

“Why are you still here?’’ He demanded before I could even speak. 

“Please, let's talk.” I pleaded. 

“There's nothing to discuss Mr Lucas Williams.’’ Dr. Collins cut me off. 

“You dropped your mother here for three weeks now even after explaining to you that she needs surgery, not maintenance. I thought you were raising funds for her operation? This is not a charity ward for dumping your problems!’’

His thunderous tone was beginning to attract a crowd, I lost the confidence to call a truce. 

‘‘B-but I've never missed the maintenance fees.’’ I stuttered helplessly. 

Dr. Collins scoffed. “Your petty fees cannot compare to the revenue that bed space can generate. Besides, I can't be responsible for a corpse if she dies here, take her elsewhere.’’ 

His words cut deep like a surgeon's scalpel, it felt like the walls were closing in on me as I watched him walk away. I couldn't even plead for a part payment plan because I had nothing on me. The gazes from people around crushed me even more, some were sympathetic, others disgusting. 

Well isn't my incompetence quite disgusting? 

A nurse approached me, her tone firm. “Hello, sir. Please come with me, your mother is waiting at the door.’’ 

My eyes widened from shock and I rushed back to the ward to find two nurses holding my mother by the exit. Tears pooled in my eyes as they pinned her carelessly on me and locked the ward.

“Please call the doctor, I'll pay part of the bills.’’ I blurted out desperately. 

‘‘Didn't you just meet with him?’’ One nurse snapped. 

“I'll call him.’’ The other intervened. 

After minutes of waiting without any sign of Dr. Collins, I took my mother to the reception and found my way to his office with provided directions. 

 I explained my intentions to him and he demanded at least one quarter of the bills after heated negotiations; that is a whopping 1.5million dollars upfront. He was resolute about it, leaving me choiceless as I left the hospital. 

I staggered my way to my multiple menial job centers to seek advance payments or possibly borrow loans, but just as I imagined, every employer gave several flimsy excuses. I was stranded. The few friends I had were fellow brown-collar workers, they barely have enough for themselves let alone to lend a hand. 

Dr. Collins’ sincere warnings echoed in my head. “If I don't hear from you in an hour, just collect your mother at the gates when you return.’’

Time was running out. As much as I hated to admit, the only option left are my in-laws. 

I stepped into the living room with trepidation, my heart racing. Lady Wright and Daisy sat on a couch, being hysterical over something they watched on Daisy's phone. I swallowed nothing as I slowly advanced to them.

I cleared my throat hesitantly. “I-I'm sorry for interrupting.’’ 

‘‘What do you want?’’ Lady Wright's gaze turned icy.

“I'm–coming from the hospital. My mother's state is critical and the doctor threatened to throw her out if I don't pay some money for her surgery.’’ I said in one breath.

‘‘So how is that my business?’’ Lady Wright creased an eyebrow, but I summoned some courage despite my skepticism. 

“I'm not–asking you to give me the money.” I swallowed hard. “I'm saying I-I'll pay it back.’’ 

Just then, Ava and Natasha’s footsteps descending the stairs echoed alongside their lively chatter which died down as they sensed the tension. 

‘‘What's he talking about?’’ Daisy spoke. 

“Are you asking me for a loan right now, Lucas?’’ Lady Wright's voice dripped with disdain. 

‘‘Th-that's one way to put it.’’ I avoided eye contact with anyone, shame washing over me. 

“You are shameless.’’ Daisy cursed at me. 

“Imagine the guts!’’ Lady Wright spat, her face twisted in disgust. 

“There's no need for much talks, just ignore him.’’ Natasha called out.

“Please help me. I'll pay interest if you want, any amount. Just help me.’’ I almost dropped to my knees from desperation. 

“You're not only shameless but also foolish to think of asking me this.’’ Lady Wright spat venomously, ignoring my further pleas as she stormed upstairs angrily. 

I turned helplessly to Ava who looked away immediately. “Please, I promise to get you a dress some other time, I….’’

‘‘What's he saying?’’ Natasha interrupted, grasping Ava's arm. “We're on our way to get the dress, and what's this nonsense?’’

“It doesn't matter, let him have it.’’ Ava retracted from her, unzipping her bag.

“Now I see that you're indeed stupid like mother says, Ava.’’ Daisy snarled. 

“Didn't you hear him say it's about his sick mother?’’ Ava yelled in defense, it seemed to have hurt her. 

Natasha and Daisy both turned on Ava, flying insults. 

“Were you really going to give him the money? Are you dense?’’ 

I could see the pity in Ava’s eyes, but her sisters’ strong opposition held her back. I tried pleading further but Natasha dragged her out.

“Now what will you do, Mr gold-digger? Lord Wright is not here to help you this time.’’ Daisy smirked. 

I should have known it was useless coming here in the first place. I hastily returned to the hospital to avoid my mother from being roughly discharged, and the nurses’ disgusted faces followed us as we left.

I could just stay home with her from now on, until whenever death might decide to take her away from me. Not like I was needed at my in-laws' mansion anyway. 

With the little cash I had left after giving Ava her dress payments, I managed to hail a cab to drive us home. As we alighted, I noticed a man standing by the gate, and upon noticing our arrival he approached us. 

“Excuse me. Are you by chance, Mr Lucas?’’

I sized him up first. He looked responsible, in his late thirties, and a sparse beard. He had corporate clothes on, a pink shirt and black pants to be precise. 

“Yes, I am.’’

He chuckled, excitement sparkling in his eyes. “I've looked everywhere for you, no one has been home.’’

‘‘That's because my mother is unwell as you can see. I don't recall meeting you before.’’ I was a bit puzzled by him. 

‘‘Oh, we can always catch up later.’’ He said, glancing at my mother. “What's wrong with her?’’ 

“She needs surgery, but I don't have enough for it.’’ I mumbled. 

‘‘She shouldn't be here then.’’ He said skeptically, and I clearly understood what he meant.

“No offense sir, but I don't think I know you enough to discuss such matters.’’ I said politely. 

He nodded. ‘‘I understand. I'm Caleb Flynn, and of course you don't know me but I know you too well, Lucas Reid.’’ He blurted out, shocking daylights out of me. 

‘‘W-what did you just…call me?’’

“Your father's surname.’’ He enunciated. “It's still your name you know.’’