Betrayed By Husband, Stolen By Brother In Law-Chapter 229: Death

Patrick Collins sat quietly in the large Collins mansion, silent as ever. He stared down at his scattered reports and let out a long, weary sigh. He didn’t need a doctor to tell him-death was near. He could feel it creeping in, dull and certain, settling into his limbs and stealing his strength. The loss of movement was no longer occasional; it lingered. Just sitting like this made him tired, as if gravity had doubled just for him.

Slowly, with effort, he moved his trembling hands and reached for the small white pill on the table. He placed it on his tongue and swallowed. The doctor had already scolded him—more than once—for continuing with the steroids. They gave him energy, a brief flash of life, but it was a cruel trade. The same pills that helped him move were also feeding the symptoms, pushing him further toward the inevitable. Still, he took them. What choice did he have?

He needed to get things done, and fast. Time was no longer something he could afford to waste. Leaving without finishing what he had started would be too cruel... especially to his Adir. Of all the people in his life, only Adir still mattered. He didn’t have the energy or the will-to care about anyone else.

He had set himself three tasks. Two were already in motion, both in their early stages, moving slowly but at least moving. The third was the hardest: getting in touch with Adam. That part wasn’t just unfinished, it hadn’t even begun. And now, even the thought of it exhausted him. He didn’t have the strength to get on a plane, to fly all that way just to talk.

He had hoped Adam would come to him. Soon. But it seemed Adam had decided to return on his own schedule, whenever that was. Patrick wasn’t sure he had that long.

He sat still for a moment, thinking. If Adam wouldn’t come to him, then he would have to send someone. He didn’t like the idea of involving anyone else—this was supposed to be something he faced himself—but he was too far gone to be stubborn now. There wasn’t enough time left for pride. Someone else would have to approach Adam on his behalf. Probably Elias.

"Spencer’s on his way back."

Patrick stared at the words for a moment with an unreadable expression. Then, to his own surprise, he smiled. freeweɓnovel-cøm

So, the boy had finally decided to return. That could only mean one thing, he was ready to admit his own folly.

He leaned back, letting his eyes close for a moment. He could feel the pill starting to kick in, a slight burn in his chest, and a thin layer of alertness brushing over the fatigue. Not strength, but a memory of it. Just enough to keep him upright.

He was thinking through what to ask Elias when he heard the soft knock at the door. Not the kind of knock meant for attention, but the small, tentative kind only one person ever used.

Before he could answer, the door creaked open and a tiny figure stepped inside.

Adir.

The boy was clutching a little green dinosaur in one hand, his curls messy, pajamas rumpled, and his face still holding that puffy softness of sleep. Patrick straightened slightly, and Adir moved without hesitation, padding across the room on bare feet. He reached the chair and climbed up with practiced effort, first onto the armrest, then into his father’s lap.

Patrick didn’t speak. He just shifted, careful not to jar his aching side, and adjusted so the boy could settle more comfortably. Adir leaned in, warm and small, tucking his face into Patrick’s chest.

He stayed like that for a while and Patrick could feel his heart melt. How was one supposed to resist something like that? This little boy was the reason he wanted to live longer.

Just then, without lifting his head, Adir whispered, "Father... are you not feeling well again?"

Patrick froze.

It was not the question itself. It was the tone. Gentle. Adir did not understand the extent of his sickness but he understood whenever he was not feeling well..

Patrick looked down. Adir was now looking up at him, his dark eyes wide and sincere. His small fingers were wrapped around Patrick’s much larger hand.

"No," Patrick said quietly. "Not really."

Adir was quiet again, as if considering something very serious. Then he reached out, placed the dinosaur gently on Patrick’s chest, and said, "You can borrow him. He helps when people are sick."

Patrick felt something sharp and unexpected rise in his throat. He swallowed it down, blinked hard, and held the little boy closer. Adir didn’t squirm. He just settled in again, content to sit in silence, as if the world outside the room didn’t exist.

He sighed as he looked down at the little head. Patrick had spent his life building things. He had spoken in rooms that determined futures, made decisions that shifted markets, and commanded silence with nothing more than a raised hand. But in all that time, in all those rooms, he had never known what it meant to be loved without condition.

His father had only ever offered approval when Patrick aligned with his expectations- when he was easily controlled and obedient. Love, in this house, had been earned through performance. His mother had been too busy expanding her own empire to notice at times. Or maybe he had been a reminder of what she had lost in her older son.

His wife had smiled for the photographs, played the role of partner at parties, but her eyes had always been on the bank statements and what he could give her.. And Spencer had followed her lead, choosing the ease of her world.

In the end, even the woman he had truly loved had placed a price on her affection, she had returned to him, but only if he promised to care for her dear daughter Saira. Love had always come with a clause. A condition. A cost.

Only Adir had changed that.

From the moment the little boy had been placed in his arms, he had been different. No hesitation, no questions. He had clung to Patrick’s shirt with tiny fists and looked at him like he was the center of the world. He hadn’t needed Patrick to be powerful or rich or righteous. He had just wanted his father.

Even now, as Adir sat curled against him, small and warm, holding Patrick’s large hand in his tiny grip, there was no expectation. No demand. Just presence. Just love.

The pills still made Patrick feel hollow—like a man stealing seconds from a clock that had already struck the hour. But this moment, this little boy, made him feel something real. Not strength. Not youth. But worth. He hadn’t earned Adir’s love. He hadn’t had to.

"I’ll get better soon," Patrick said quietly, more to himself than to the child.

Adir nodded at that, "See, the dinosaur is working his magic already."

Patrick smiled then. This was the last task. Protecting his son from the world. He would make sure Adir was always protected, even if it meant coming back from the death or taking a few people with him to death.

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