Chapter Twenty-three

Ethann was there with me. He took care of me when no one did. When I saw his worrying expression toward me, out of nowhere, I felt overwhelmed. He may be annoying but he deserves appreciation from everyone.

He then brought me there. I got some chills in my body and I was feeling tired the whole time. I don't get why it has to be like this. The nurses assist me and let me lay on the bed. At the same time, I am feeling nervous. I actually don't have any idea what's happening to me. I hope that this is nothing serious. I secretly prayed for that.

I wonder what Daddy's reaction will be once he sees me laying here. It is somewhat a deja vu for us. The last time I got in this kind of room, it was still my Mommy who was laying on the bed. And now, it was me. Just great.

After a few minutes, the door opened, obviously, there was someone who came in. It was my so-called suitor.

“Ethann, what did the doctors say?” My eyes darted to him. He was wearing a polo shirt and his hands were in his pocket.

“They're still checking about it. We just have to wait a few minutes so for now, just take a rest.” His concerned smile was evident.

I nodded. I am always taking rest but I am feeling so tired most of the time. “Hmm, right. Anyways, where's Daddy?”

“He's already on his way. You can take a nap, I'll be here with you.” He patted my forehead and kissed me there. I didn't bother to argue because I'm so tired. I smiled weakly at him and finally closed my eyes and waited ‘til I fell asleep.

***

Third Person POV

“So, it was really the Hadleys. Fuck them all, they're playing dirty.”

Standing while his hands are in his pocket, there he was, glaring as he can possibly could as the furiousness crept within his whole system, talking to a young man. He was Ethann Gladstone, the suitor of Helly, and might as well, her husband-to-be. Timothy Addingston gritted his teeth and clenched his jaws out of the furiousness. He swears that this time he won't forgive the Hadleys. He knows that because of that incident, many people from their hospital got traumatized.

“No, it was just their solution for Bricianna.” Ethann Gladstone calmly responded.

They are near at Helly's room. Timothy just got there when Ethann called him and told him about Helly's situation. However, it happens that Helly falls asleep and Timothy doesn't want to wake her up as he thought, his daughter deserves to take a rest while the doctor is still on a test on her condition. Hence, they couldn't help but also talk about the Hadleys.

“I don't even know that woman so why am I got involved?! That caused trauma to the people here in the hospital!”

“I don't know either, sir, but that was what his men said. When Dad and his men asked about it, they pointed to your name.” Ethann was so calm. He even showed a video of how one of Hadley's men pointed to Timothy's name when they asked him who his target was. They also pointed to the Hadley's the moment they asked who asked them to do it. That was when they captured the ones who caused the disturbance at the parking lot and perhaps got threatened by the Gladstones that made them answer them.

“No way. Those Hadleys are crazy.”

Ethann just sighed. He sensed how furious Timothy was at this time but he didn't feel any fear. “It was said, they are planning to kill you instead of filing a divorce from his wife. We knew that before that incident, Bricianna got here for a check-up, right?”

Timothy is listening intently to Ethann's explanation. “Uh, yeah. Actually, we got along at that time. It was still morning and she invited me over for a coffee. That was it. I didn't know... ” He knotted his forehead trying to remember what happened that day before the incident.

“That was it, when you're heading to your car, the gunman was secretly watching you from afar. Of course, you didn't know. He planned to shoot you on your head—actually, four bullets for you, sir. But then, lucky you. You were already inside your car when he pulled the trigger that's why he failed to shoot you. How stupid of them, they would've paid a pro gunman.” Ethann chuckled about his last sentence. But that chuckle, you can't find any humor and amusement to it.

Timothy sighed in relief. Yes right, he was lucky enough. “Yeah, I'm lucky enough. Hooh! That was near death! Anyway, what happened to Helly lately?” He changed the topic.

The thought of his daughter's situation popped up in his mind. He then remembered what's the reason why he got there. It was for Helly.

“I knocked on his door and when I saw her, I saw some red spots on her skin. She told me that she's also feeling chills. I actually got panicked, sir, so I brought her here.”

Timothy nodded and felt overwhelmed. “I owe you Ethann. Thank you. Maybe my daughter's just got tired of everything that happened to our family. I'll just go to her, Ethann.” That was full of sincerity. He really owes Ethann as well as the whole Gladstone on everything.

“Sure, sir. She's sleeping for minutes so, she'll probably wake up anytime now.” Ethann politely smiled and left the two for their privacy.

On the other hand, when Ethann left the place, Timothy felt so worried for his daughter as he opened the door. He saw her peacefully sleeping on its bed. The frown suddenly crept onto his face. It was so evident. Out of the blue, he then remembered his wife, Natasha Addingston. What if Helly will leave him too? He must be feeling so alone, literally alone actually.

When her wife, Natasha died, his world almost fell. He also wants to go with his wife. Because of that car accident, he lost the love of his life. He thought about it. Thankfully, there was Helly. She was the reason why he stayed on his life and continue breathing.

***

Helleon Eummer Addingston POV

I wiped the tears that had been flowing into my eyes. I heard it all. I thought that it was just one of their theories that Hadley was the real culprit. I remember Dawn, when our last call, he told me that he loves me. So, should I trust him? I heard how my Dad's voice got baritone while throwing hate words at the Hadleys. However, only half of their talk. I want to go to him and ask him if it was really them.

I don't know why I'm still breathing. What's the reason that I am still here? My daddy is cheating on me. He promised that he can't replace my Mommy but why is he dating that flirty Bricianna? He even pushed and convinced me that I should go and get a unit. That is what Ethann told me last time. So, he can date Bricianna freely while secretly.

I don't know what to do with my life anymore. I want to destroy this wall and escape. I want to go to Shannie and Yulla. They will probably understand me. Daddy slowly got out of his mind. He should've been the one who will bring me here because I am his daughter. He should've been the one who would take care of me and be my companion in times like this.

The next day, I woke up early and groaned. There's an unknown pain I'm feeling in my body. My Daddy is sleeping beside me while holding my hand. My groan woke him up and then, he gave me a smile to me.

“Dad?”

After just one call, he slowly raised his head and smiled at me. “Good morning Helly! Daddy's here!”

I just smiled. I miss my Daddy so much despite everything.

“Hey, are you hungry? Just tell me and I will get you some food.”

Because of his question, my stomach immediately vibrated, a sign that I am really, actually hungry. “Uh yeah, I am a bit hungry.”

“What happened to your skin? You're just lying on your bed the whole time but why did you get these all? Unless your lecturer punched you, right?”

“Dad! It's not that. My lecturer is a good woman—though she is a bit intimidating but not enough for her to punch me.” I just chuckled at his accusations. Yeah, my lecturer is actually scary but I can't imagine her punching me.

“I know, I know, I'm just joking around. You should smile often. Helly, it looks good on you.” He ran his fingers on some strands of my hair.

“Dad, I will just look crazy if I smile while I'm alone.”

When the truth is, I can't smile anymore. I want to smile genuinely. As if nothing's happened to our family. The smile of happiness—real happiness. The smile that you can't see any signs of loneliness.

“Hmm, well but, I want you to smile at me when you see me. It can help you lessen your pain, Helly.” I just rolled my eyes. There it goes, my Daddy is being clingy again.

We talked about a lot of things there. Just on random things actually. Daddy jokes at me and it made me laugh soulfully. He even opened up our memories before. How funny-looking I am while wearing ridiculous outfits.

We got silent when a man in a white suit came into the room. It was a doctor, obviously.

“Good morning, Sir Addingston and Miss Addingston,” he formally greeted me and dad.

“Oh, doctor! Nice to see you—uh have you already checked about my daughter?” Daddy stood up and left my hand.

They shake hands and the doctor sighed. “Uh, about that. Yeah, and it made me sad to reveal it. But no matter what happens Miss Helly, you have to be strong for yourself.”

I immediately felt something was wrong. My brows furrowed and my heart began to race up and down. My hand immediately trembled the moment the doctor avoided his gaze and his eyes were full of frowns. “Uh, what is it?” I managed to ask.

“You need to undergo some treatment such as chemotherapy Miss Helleon, this will help you fight the cancer cells in your body.”

My brows furrowed more and my eyes widened. What? Cancer cells?

“Wh-What are you talking about?” Daddy stuttered. Feeling the same feeling too. Goodness, I hope this is none serious. I hope whatever it is, it is curable.

“Your daughter has been suffering from Stage 2 Blood Cancer, Mr. Addingston.”

I still hope I will survive.