MAYELI.
Leaving Bryan's house, I couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness that engulfed me, along with a sense of helplessness.
Memories of our past flooded my mind, reminding me of the loving man he once was.
But now, I realised he was never brave enough to publicly acknowledge our relationship.
As I stared out of the car window, tears welled up in my eyes. It was supposed to be my wedding night, a night filled with love and joy with my husband, but instead, I found myself aimlessly wandering from one place to another.
I felt a surge of anger coursing through me as I reflected on Bryan's actions. He had proven himself to be a coward, incapable of standing by me when I needed him the most.
His words echoed in my mind, each one stabbing at my heart like a dagger.
"We are here, Ma'am!" The driver's voice jolted me out of my thoughts, and I realised with a sinking feeling that we had arrived back at the same hotel I had fled from earlier.
With tears still lingering in my eyes, I settled my fare with the driver before stepping out of the car. Wiping away my tears, I clutched my wedding gown tightly and made my way into the building.
It was late, and the bustling activity of earlier had dwindled to silence. I headed straight for the room, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," I muttered to myself, my grip tightening on my gown as I reached for the door handle.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door, half-expecting to find Scarlet entwined with Dane. But to my astonishment, I was met with the sight of Dane lying on the ground and Scarlet sound asleep on the bed.
"It seems they've drunk themselves into a stupor. Serves them right," I scoffed, my disdain evident as I made my way to the bathroom, eager to escape the chaotic scene before me.
After quickly bathing and changing into the nightwear provided, I intended to leave the room and seek refuge elsewhere.
However, as I turned to go, something stopped me in my tracks.
Scarlet had shifted positions in her sleep, but Dane remained unmoved, still lying face down on the ground. Curious, I approached him cautiously.
"Dane?" I nudged him gently, hoping to rouse him from his slumber, but he didn't respond.
"Dane!" I called out again, growing increasingly concerned as he remained unresponsive. It was then that a chill ran down my spine, realizing that something more serious might be amiss.
Swiftly dropping to my knees, I lifted him into my arms, and as I gazed at his face, my heart sank. Dane was unconscious, and it had been for quite some time.
"Dane, wake up! Please, wake up!" I pleaded desperately, my heart pounding with fear. I shook him gently, hoping to rouse him from his unconscious state, but he remained limp and unresponsive.
Panic surged through me as I struggled to understand what had happened to him.
I felt a growing sense of responsibility weighing heavily on my shoulders: if anything happened to him, I could be held accountable.
Turning to Scarlet, I attempted to wake her from her slumber, but she too remained undisturbed, lost in her peaceful sleep.
Feeling frustrated and helpless, I returned to Dane's side, crouching down beside him. It was then that my eyes caught sight of something white protruding from under the bed.
Curiosity piqued, I reached for it, my hand trembling as I retrieved the object. As I examined it, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach: it was an insulin injection.
My mind raced as I tried to make sense of the situation.
Dane wasn't just cursed to never have a child, he was a sick billionaire.
"No! No!" I shook my head in disbelief before scrambling to my feet. My hands fumbled as I searched for Dane's phone, desperation driving me to take action.
As soon as I found it, I dialled the first number on his emergency call list, my heart racing with fear.
"Hello?" The panic in my voice was evident as the call connected.
"Who is this? Where's Dane?" Adam, Dane's assistant, demanded urgently.
"I... I don't know... I found him on the ground. He's not moving, he's..." I struggled to find the words, my voice trembling with emotion, but before I could finish, Adam interrupted me.
"I'll be there soon. Make sure no one enters the room! Is that clear!?" Adam's urgent command echoed through the phone, and I nodded fervently in response.
As the call ended, I remained by Dane's side, feeling a mix of anger and regret for agreeing to marry him. But deep down, I knew I had done it for my mother's health and safety.
Soon, a knock sounded at the door, and I approached it cautiously, determined to follow Adam's instructions.
"Who's there?" I called out calmly, my voice steadying despite the turmoil within.
"It's me, Mayeli... it's Adam!" His voice came through the door, and without hesitation, I opened it to let him in.
Adam paused the second he entered the room, his gaze shifting between Scarlet on the bed and me, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.
"I'm sorry you had to witness this on your first day," he apologised, his tone filled with genuine concern, and I felt a sense of reassurance wash over me.
"Will he be okay?" I asked, my eyes fixed on Dane lying motionless on the ground.
"I promise to do everything in my power to ensure he is," Adam reassured me firmly before swiftly moving to Dane's side.
With determination in his eyes, he lifted Dane into his arms and hurried out of the room.
Unable to bear the sight of Scarlet any longer, I followed them, my heart pounding with anxiety as we made our way to the car.
As Adam started the engine, the urgency of the situation gripped us, and we sped off towards the hospital, our hearts racing in unison.
The ride to the hospital was tense, each passing moment filled with uncertainty as we raced against time to save Dane's life.
Finally, we arrived at the hospital, and Dane was quickly whisked away into one of the emergency rooms.
Adam and I remained outside, our hearts heavy with worry, clinging to hope that he would pull through.
Suddenly, Adam stopped in his tracks, and as I looked into his eyes, I saw the fear and sadness reflected in them.
"Is everything alright, Adams?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued and confusion mounting as to why he had come to a sudden halt.
"No matter what, Mayeli... please... don't breathe a word about his lover and his illness! Billionaire Dane's secret must be guarded at all costs, or he'll face dire consequences. He's already been through so much," Adams implored, his words causing me to freeze in place for a moment.
In that moment, I realised that Dane, despite his status and wealth, was not immune to imperfections and struggles.
He had his own secrets and faults, hidden beneath the facade of his public persona.