Chapter 105

I picked up the landline receiver in the upstairs hallway. “Hello. This is Daisy Wilson. How is my father?”

My heart pounded as I waited for the answer.

“Stay calm, Daisy,” Diana told me. “No matter what, you will be okay, and you won’t be alone.”

Victor caught up with me and stood by my side. “How is he?”

I looked up at him with tears rolling down my cheeks as I waited for the doctor to speak.

“Thank you, doctor,” I said into the phone before hanging up. It took me a moment before I could speak again.

“Daisy. What happened?” Victor asked.

“Alex woke up,” I told him. “He is in a natural sleep now. He’s still very ill. But he is doing better than they expected. We can see him tomorrow.”

“That’s good news,” Victor said and hugged me.

“I must tell the servants,” I said. “They love my father too.”

I saw Benson smile for the first time when I told him Alex was out of immediate danger.

“That’s wonderful news,” he said. “Thank you for letting me know. The cook prepared dinner if you and Mr. Klein are hungry. I can have it served in the dining room in a few minutes.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I said. “Thank you, Benson.”

For the first time in over a day, I was hungry. Victor and I went into the dining room and devoured the steak dinner the cook had prepared.

With a full stomach, we both went to bed and slept until morning when we could go to the hospital to see Alex.

He had been moved to a private room, and he was very sleepy.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he whispered when I took his hand.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Tired,” he replied. “Victor, it’s good to see you. You must help my daughter since I cannot right now.”

“Don’t worry about a thing, Alex,” Victor said. “ I will guard everything that is yours for you.”

Victor’s words relieved my mind as much as Alex’s. My father’s eyes closed as he fell asleep again, and we left to let him get some rest.

In the hallway, we talked to one of his doctors.

“He’s out of danger for the moment,” the doctor reported. “But he will never be able to take the stress of running a company again.”

“When can he come home?” I asked.

“With proper care, he could go home as soon as tomorrow,” the doctor replied.

“We can make arrangements for anything he needs,” I said. “He would feel better being in his own home.”

The doctor nodded. He wrote a name and phone number on a piece of paper and handed it to me.

“This is the name and phone number of the care coordinator responsible for your father. Please call them, and they will help you arrange everything for Mr. Wilson’s return home.”

“Findlay can help you make arrangements,” Victor offered.

“Thanks, but I’d rather do everything for him myself,” I said.

The doctor looked surprised and shook his head at Victor.

“Daisy, we need to talk.” Victor took me into an empty room. “Do you remember when I told you the most important thing to know about running a business is delegating or assigning duties to others?”

“Yes, because nobody can do everything themselves.”

“That applies to more than business. Your father is very ill, and his care will be complicated,” he explained. “He needs trained professionals to take care of him.”

I looked at the floor. “I hadn’t thought of that. But I feel like I owe my father so much. I want to do everything I can for him.”

“There are lots of things you can do for him, Daisy. But you need to leave his medical care to the professionals.”

I nodded. “You’re right.”

“I will have Findlay come to the mansion so you can both speak to the care coordinator and make arrangements for your father’s homecoming.”

It occurred to me at that moment that when my father did die, and Victor became leader of the united association of Alphas, our fake engagement would be over.

After a while, we could then announce our break up, and we could go our separate ways or perhaps remain friends. But it would never be the same as now.

I suddenly felt the urge to put my arms around Victor and hugged him tightly. “Thank you for everything you do for me.”

“It’s my pleasure,” he assured me and hugged me back gently. “Now, let’s return to the mansion, and I’ll call Findlay.”

Alex came home the next day. There would be nurses attending to him 24/7. And a doctor from the hospital would examine him daily.

It was nice to have him home again. He slept quite a bit and was very weak, but I could pop into his room for a visit whenever I wanted.

Benson and I were in Alex’s room when Victor arrived. He reminded me about the Cranston party that evening and asked if we should cancel.

“Nonsense,” Alex said from his bed. “You can’t stop living because I’m lying here in this bed.”

“I don’t mind staying home,” I told Alex.

“Go to the party,” Alex ordered. He almost sounded like his old self. But I could see how tired he was, and I didn’t want to argue with him.

“I’ll be ready by six-thirty,” I told Victor.

And I was. I had already said good night to Alex. He complimented the off-the-shoulder, deep-maroon and gold dress with a tiered skirt I was wearing and told me to have a good time.

I kissed his cheek and went to the front doors to meet Victor.

The Cranston’s party was a delight. The food was excellent. The sparkling mineral water was refreshing, and a quartet played music to allow guests to dance.

Victor and I were on the dance floor when William and his parents entered the room.

He looked absolutely miserable compared to his smiling mother, who clung to his arm as much as his father’s.

She saw me and Victor and pulled William to the other side of the room. I understood her trying to protect her son, but William is a big boy now.

He must have shaken her off because he cut in during our next dance. Victor cheerfully surrendered me to him and went to the edge of the dance floor to speak to his parents, who had just arrived.

“How is your father?” William asked as we began a slow waltz.

“He’s at home now with a team of nurses caring for him,” I replied. “He seems to be resting more comfortably in his own bedroom.”

“I’m glad,” William said. “I left messages with Benson while he was in the hospital. I wasn’t sure if you were in any shape for a visitor.”

“I wasn’t,” I assured him. “But I appreciated the flowers you sent me. They were lovely.”

William danced as well as ever, but I could tell something had upset him. He didn’t smile or make jokes like he usually did.

“What’s wrong?” I said, hoping it wasn’t about me or our mate bond. “Something is bothering you.”

“Yeah, there is,” he admitted.

“Tell me,” I pleaded.

“Ever since I got home, my parents have been on my back about taking more responsibility for the family business. They know that’s not what I want to do with my life.”

“They haven’t made you quit football,” I pointed out.

“But all the time I’m spending in the office is taking away from practice,” he explained. “If I want to be the best and be drafted by a professional team someday, I must practice daily.”

“I understand what you’re saying, but I have learned that everyone has obligations to their families that they must fulfill. It’s true for me, and you are no different.”

A wry smile bloomed on William’s face. “You’re right. I need to stop feeling sorry for myself.”

He looked at me for a moment, and his smile grew wider. “The change in you is amazing, Daisy. You’ve grown into a beautiful, strong, and wise woman. I admire you a great deal.”

When the dance ended, Victor was waiting for us. “I got a text from Benson while you were dancing,” he said.

Panic raced through me, and I gripped his arm. “Is Alex okay?”

“He’s fine,” Victor replied. “Benson wanted to tell us Alex wants to speak to us if he’s awake when we get home. Or first thing in the morning at the latest.”

“That sounds serious,” William observed.

“It does,” I agreed. “I wonder what he wants to talk about.”

“We’ll find out when we get there,” Victor said. “Do you want to leave the party early?”

“Yes,” I replied. “Whatever Alex wants to talk about must be important.”