Marrying My Father's Enemy-Chapter 35: So It Begins…
Chapter 35: So It Begins...
Chapter 35: So It Begins
Saturday morning dawned quietly, the sky overcast as Eira stood by the window, watching the empty street below.
The city looked still, but inside, her mind was like an ocean of calculations and decisions.
She picked up her phone and dialed. It rang twice before Anna picked up.
"Eira, I was just about to call you," Anna said briskly.
"Good. Tell me the status."
"We’ve got three reporters on standby, two tabloids, and a business channel. If Henry so much as breathes out of line, they’ll be on him like sharks," Anna said.
"Perfect," Eira replied, though her voice sounded more distant than usual. "And the documents? Have they been served?"
"Not yet. They’ll be delivered to his office this afternoon."
Eira was more than satisfied. "I want him cornered. He needs to feel the walls closing in. This time, he’ll have no escape."
"You’re a natural at this, Eira. Ruthless."
Eira didn’t reply.
She started thinking about Callian, who was more like her mentor in this.
His last sentence had been so painful... she wanted him to be here and see her right now.
"Anna, has there been any update on Callian?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
There was a pause. "Not since last week. I heard he’s still unwell, but he’s also... well, Callian."
Eira pressed her lips together. "Right. Well, if you hear anything—"
"You’ll be the first to know," Anna promised. "But focus, Eira. Henry’s right where you want him."
Eira nodded to herself. "Alright. Keep me posted." She hung up, exhaling deeply.
Liam shuffled in, rubbing his eyes. "It’s Saturday, Eira. Can’t you relax even a little?"
"Relax?" She raised an eyebrow. "Henry’s downfall doesn’t take weekends off."
Liam rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I guess your idea of a ’weekend’ is nuclear war."
"Not quite," she muttered. "But close enough."
Liam grabbed a coffee and watched her as she paced the room. "So, what’s the plan? You going to play nice or keep kicking him?"
"Kicking him," she replied with a grim smile. "Anna’s already got reporters waiting. And today, Henry will get a little surprise in his office."
"Ooh, documents? Or one of those annoying singing telegrams?" he teased, barely hiding his smile.
"Focus, Liam. He’s going to get slapped with a lawsuit over ownership of my mother’s companies. Once the papers land on his desk, he’ll know there’s no going back."
"Nice." Liam leaned back. "So, what’s the worst he can do? Throw more money around?"
"Exactly," Eira said. "It’s his only answer to everything. Money to pay people off, money to cover things up. But this time, he’ll find it doesn’t work."
"And if he tries to scare you?"
Eira’s eyes narrowed. "He already did. And that’s why he’s going down."
Liam whistled, impressed. "Well, sounds like you’ve got it handled."
She glanced at him. "I do. Mostly." Her voice grew quieter. "It’s just... Callian."
Liam’s playful smile faded. "Callian? What’s up with him? He died already?"
"Shut up, you idiot! And I don’t know... I need him to come back to me... I want him to come back..."
"Maybe he’s doing this on purpose?"
Eira crossed her arms, unconvinced. "I don’t know. How could a coma be an accident? It makes no sense..."
"Well, if he’s important to you, maybe go check on him?"
She turned. "You think I can just go over there, knock on his door? ’Hey, Callian, just wanted to check if you’re alive? Your mother didn’t threaten me at all.’"
"Why not?" Liam grinned. "You’re doing it for Callian."
"You’re impossible, you know that?"
"Guilty as charged." He leaned back. "Look, just find out what’s going on with Callian if it’s bugging you. One less thing to worry about."
She nodded, almost to herself. "Maybe I will."
The day dragged on, every hour marked by more messages, emails, and calls as she planned Henry’s slow collapse.
But her mind kept drifting back to Callian.
Finally, in the late afternoon, she grabbed her coat.
"Where are you going?" Liam asked, looking up from his phone.
"Out," she said briskly.
Liam raised an eyebrow. "Want company?"
"No. Stay here and check the news. If anything breaks about Henry, call me immediately."
He gave her a two-finger salute. "You got it, boss."
Eira hurried out, feeling a slight burn in her stomach.
’When will she worry about her own health?’ Liam thought to himself, remembering the thing in the hospital.
Eira stepped into the hospital ward, her heart as heavy as a mountain.
The room was quiet, with only the sound of a beep from the monitor beside Callian’s bed.
His eyes were closed, his face pale against the white pillow.
She walked closer, feeling her throat tighten as she took in the sight of him—so strong, yet here he was, unmoving and fragile.
Her knees buckled, and she sank into the chair beside his bed.
She reached out, her fingers brushing his hand.
"I’m sorry!" A sob escaped her, and she clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to hold back the flood of tears.
But it was no use. She lowered her head, crying softly as she clung to his hand.
The door opened behind her, and Eira quickly wiped her tears, not looking up.
"Eira?" a familiar voice said, soft but concerned.
She glanced up to see Rylan standing there, watching her. "How are you?" he asked. "I saw the news... the story about the sexual—"
Eira said nothing, just turned herself back to Callian, her hand continuing to hold his.
She couldn’t speak, couldn’t explain the mess that was her life right now.
Rylan came closer and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I’m here if you need to vent," he offered kindly.
Eira looked away, swallowing back the hurt.
She didn’t want to talk, not about herself, not about the pain. freewebnoveℓ.com
All she wanted was for Callian to wake up.
She looked back at him, searching his face for any sign of life, any small move.
*bzzz* *bbz*
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out, glancing at the screen. "Anna?"
Eira hesitated, then answered. "Hello, Anna."
"Eira," Anna’s voice came through; it seemed tense and hurried. "We have a problem. It’s Henry. He’s—"
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