Birds perched on the trees flapped their wings as they chirped.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, and a soft breeze pushed the fabric aside, allowing the rays to fall directly on Mia's face. She had slept over at their place the previous night.
Empty bottles of whiskey were scattered across the floor. Maxine and Claire had completely drunk themselves out.
The alarm clock Maxine had set earlier rang loudly, but none of them stirred.
Maxine and Claire were sprawled on the floor. Maxine's hair was tangled like a bird's nest, while Claire's duvet curled around her legs like a python.
"Urghh…" Mia yawned, stretching lazily.
"Bam!"
She rolled off the couch and hit the floor with a loud thud.
"Ouch, ouch… my back," she winced, her eyes still heavy with sleep. She dragged herself back up and slumped onto the couch.
Maxine mumbled incoherent words, her arm dropping across Claire's chest.
"What the hell!" Claire snapped from her sleep, shoving Maxine's arm away.
The alarm continued ringing.
Maxine's hand lazily reached for the table, knocking the clock over.
"Thirty minutes more…" she grumbled, resetting it before dropping it again and slipping back into sleep.
Suddenly, Claire jolted upright as if she had seen something terrifying.
"Arghhh… damn it. The consequences of listening to Maxine… my head hurts."
"Where the hell is my phone…" she muttered, patting around blindly until she found it under Mia's leg. She pushed Mia's leg aside.
Maxine winced but didn't wake.
Claire unlocked her phone. Her eyes widened.
"10:00?!"
Shock spread across her face.
"We are lateeeee!"
Mia's eyes snapped open immediately. The hospital.
"Oh please, you're not a banshee. Don't ruin my eardrum," Maxine groaned, rolling over.
Claire yanked the duvet off her.
"Get up, you lazy human. Take your bath. I'll make something to eat. And don't dance in the shower."
"Urghhh... alright," Maxine muttered, dragging herself toward the bathroom.
Mia yawned and walked into the kitchen.
Claire turned slightly when she noticed her.
"Good morning."
"Morning," Mia replied softly.
"You both are already late. Let me help," she added.
Claire shook her head. "No, I'll be quick."
"I insist."
Claire paused, then smiled faintly.
"Alright. You're cooking for three then."
She glanced at the counter.
"Smoothies and toast."
"Deal." Mia smiled. "Now go bathe."
While the morning chaos slowly settled into something almost normal, miles away, a different kind of tension was brewing.
—-----
ETHAN'S OFFICE
The soft hum of the coffee machine filled the room as Sebastian stood in front of it, his posture straight, his expression unreadable.
His fingers hovered over the controls for a moment longer than necessary.
"Should I add sugar… or would you prefer it bitter?" Sebastian asked, his voice calm but carrying a faint edge of coldness.
Ethan, who had been watching him from behind his desk, raised a brow, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"Hmm… is someone in a bad mood today?" he teased, leaning back slightly in his chair.
Sebastian didn't turn.
"I'll just go with bitter," he replied flatly.
Ethan's lips twitched into a half-smile.
"Are you giving me the cold shoulder now?"
That made Sebastian pause, just briefly. Then, without another word, he picked up the cup and walked over, placing it neatly on the table in front of Ethan.
"Why would I?" he said, his tone polite but distant. "Here's your drink, sir."
The air between them grew subtly tense. Quiet, but not comfortable.
Before Ethan could respond, the large projector on the wall flickered to life with a soft mechanical hum.
A moment later, an image stabilized on the screen.
Eric's face appeared.
Sebastian had already taken a seat by then, his attention shifting instantly. His fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard, the earlier stiffness replaced by sharp focus.
Ethan's gaze lingered on him for a second longer before finally shifting to the screen, his expression settling into something more serious.
"Hi, Ethan," Eric said. His usual calm demeanor settled over his face. The resemblance between them was striking.
"Hello, Father. You called," Ethan replied.
"Yes, I did. Aria told me you didn't pick her calls yesterday."
"I don't have time. I'll call her later," Ethan said flatly.
"Where's Sebastian?"
"He's here."
"Alright… are you ok? When was the last time you saw a doctor?"
Sebastian raised his head.
"He hasn't made an appointment," he said.
Ethan shot him a brief glance before turning back to the screen.
"I'll see a doctor soon," he replied shortly.
Eric sighed.
"You said you were going to handle the rumors. I suppose I should expect a wife soon… and maybe grandchildren."
Sebastian pressed his lips together, clearly holding back laughter.
"Can we end this call? I'm busy."
Eric chuckled. "Alright, alright."
The call ended.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
"Make an appointment with the doctor," Ethan said.
"Now you're talking," Sebastian replied with a subtle smile.
Ethan scoffed lightly.
A door hummed and someone stepped in.
"Good morning, sir. I was asked to submit this."
Sebastian took the file and handed it to Ethan.
Ethan glanced at it once.
Then tossed it straight into the trash.
"Get out."
The man stiffened, a chill running down his spine. Without another word, he turned and hurried out.
Sebastian leaned back slightly, exhaling.
Ethan's moods could be exhausting.
—----------
While decisions were being made behind closed doors, Mia had no idea how quickly things around her were beginning to shift.
Mia hurried into the hospital, her steps quick but light. She had left the house not long after preparing breakfast for the ladies, and judging by how they had practically rushed out earlier, they must have loved it.
The memory replayed in her mind, and she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips.
By the time she reached Brielle's ward, she slowed down, gently pushing the door open. Inside, a nurse was already attending to Brielle.
"You're unusually late this morning," the nurse said with a warm smile.
Mia returned the smile, though a hint of exhaustion lingered in her eyes.
"It's been a bit of a chaotic morning," she admitted softly.
Her gaze drifted immediately to Brielle. The little girl looked better, her skin no longer as pale, her breathing calmer. The sight alone eased something tight in Mia's chest.
"How is she now?" Mia asked, her voice quieter, more careful.
"She's doing very well," the nurse replied, adjusting something by the bedside. "If everything continues like this, she should be discharged soon, in two days' time."
Mia let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"That's good… that's really good."
Her shoulders relaxed for the first time in days.
She stepped aside and pulled out her phone, quickly dialing Auntie Ann's number. It rang twice before the call connected.
"Hello, Mia. How are you? How's Brielle?" Auntie Ann's concerned voice came through immediately.
"She's much better," Mia said, glancing back at the bed. "The nurse said she'll be discharged soon. So… Auntie Ann, I'll need you to take care of her when she gets back. I have quite a lot to sort out here."
"Don't worry, Mia. I'll look after her," Auntie Ann assured her. Then her tone softened. "But is everything alright?"
Mia hesitated for just a second.
"Yes… everything is fine."
Even as she said it, her eyes lingered on Brielle, thoughtful.
"Start arranging the tickets. I'll handle the payment," she added.
"Alright."
The call ended.
Now Brielle was finally stable.
It was her turn to fulfill her end of the bargain.
But not everyone was willing to let things unfold peacefully.
—-----
Chairman Roth paced across his study, fury evident in every step.
"He trashed the pictures!" he snapped, his voice trembling with restrained anger.
"Dad… calm down. You can't expect him to give in that easily," his daughter's voice came from the other end, calm and steady.
Roth stopped abruptly.
"Then what next?" he demanded.
A brief pause followed.
"We'll come up with another plan. This time, there's no need to rush. Don't get worked up. I'm here for you."
Silence lingered.
Then her voice came again, softer this time. Colder.
"If I can't have him…"
"No other woman will. I'll make sure of that."