The Richman (Book 2 ) - Complicated

(Adrianna POV)

It was almost three weeks of George's recovery and we spent most of that time in the hospital. The days were so dark especially in the first week, George's condition dropped several times to the point that I just wanted to die.

Time and time again we spent nights waiting for George to recover from his critical condition. Such a small child had to fight for his life and I, as a mother who carried him in my womb for the ninth month, risked my life to give him birth, I can't see my son faced with such difficult times. If I could, I would rather die but he saves than watch him suffer.

Not only did George's condition deteriorate several times, My relationship with Aldric had really never improved after the shooting. We were together in the hospital but we never talk. His anger is bigger than everything. I know I'm wrong, that's my mistake but it's torturous being denied like that by my own husband, he even refused to see my face.

People we know, friends of us, or George's friends kept visiting but couldn't see George. They just meet us and said their empathy to us, but what was more torturous was that every time someone came to visit George we had to act like everything was fine but after that Aldric was completely frozen. He didn't want to be touched or spoken to. Ben, Leah, and Daddy as well as my father, and mother-in-law knew about it but they couldn't get over Aldric's anger.

Today is George's last day in the hospital, tomorrow morning after a visit from the doctor, George is allowed to go home and continue his treatment from home, especially regarding trauma to school. But George didn't seem traumatized that much, he was even very cheerful when some of his teachers came to visit him a few hours ago.

"Aldric is still so mad at you?" Daddy asked me as we sat in the cafeteria that afternoon.

"Yes." I nodded.

"Why did you meet that man when you knew that it would be the start of a disaster in your family?" My dad was protested for the first time since the tragedy.

I sighed, "I was trapped dad." I tell the truth, but nobody will believe in me, but I have to keep trying to make them understand my position "Someone called me with Javier's phone and said that the owner of the cell phone had an accident and I was the last person on his contact list." I explained.

"And you didn't suspect?" Daddy asked again.

"I was very panicked at that time, my intentions were actually good. I came to check the condition even though we don't have any relationship anymore, this is purely out of humanity." I tried to defend myself, I hope my dad will understand what I mean because he is my father.

"I believe in you, because you're my daughter," he said. "But you know that Aldric will not that easy to believe what you said because of what happened to your son, and what he saw in that time. That man came behind you with your car key. It's mean that you were together before that happened to George." My dad explained from his point of view.

"Yeah." I nodded in guilty. "I couldn't defend myself in front of Aldric. He has a right to blame me." I answered with teary eyes.

"My daughter. I believe in you and you know that I will always support you. Whatever situation you faced." My dad take my hand and kissed them. I couldn't keep my tear not to falling down.

I felt touch, my father is my hero . He is the only one who will always support me without any condition, since my mother passed away. He knew me for decades even when I could only cry to express my feelings when I was zero to one year old. He has understood me since then and even now he can clearly understand my situation.

In contrast to Aldric who even though he loved me, but we had not known long before we got married. And although our marriage has now been running for more than seven years, new things seem to surprise me every day. There are just new things about me that he just discovered or vice versa. As people say, in marriage there is no such thing as knowing fully, because acquaintance with the partner occurs throughout the marriage.

"You didn't try to explain it to Aldric?" Ask daddy.

I smiled bitterly. "In a situation like this my only priority is my son, Dad," I said honestly.

Actually, the situation had escalated because Jav had come to bring flowers and was intending to visit my son, but it ended badly because Aldric almost hit him because he was so upset. I also don't know what Javier's motivation is why he suddenly shows up and messes things up? He messed up my life, again and again.

"Be patient dear, Aldric will surely soften." Daddy took my hand and squeezed it. The warmth of those wrinkled hands gave me the strength to face my tough days. I wish I could hug Mommy and hear her advice right now, but that's all changed. I only have daddy as my number one support, even when my husband and I are at odds.

"I'll back home with Ben, you have to go back to George's nursery and keep him company." We hugged briefly and sure enough, not long after Ben came over to us, today he came home early from work to stop by the hospital and pick up daddy.

While I looked after my son in the hospital, Ben and Leah took care of daddy at their house. Poor old man, he even had to be swayed by the situation when many problems befell his son and daughter's household.

***

All night I curled up on the sofa, while Aldric fell asleep sitting next to George's bed. Even though I curled up but my eyes couldn't close at all. What I hope is that the day will come soon, the doctor will come and check on my son's condition. I hope the good news really comes today, my son can go home and be able to carry out his activities as usual.

And sure enough, after staying up all night, morning came. The morning sun shyly peeked through the curtains of my son's treatment room. I immediately got up from where I was lying and washed my face in the sink, after that I went out to buy two sandwiches and two coffees. Although Aldric never said thank you, the coffee and sandwich he drank and he ate, was enough for me.

At first, looking after George, Aldric was reluctant to even touch the food I brought him. He chooses to eat the food his mother, Leah, Ben, or even his secretary brings him. It hurt me but I couldn't open my voice, I gave up all the bitterness myself.

When I returned with breakfast, George had finished breakfast, being fed by his father. Besides being angry with me, Aldric is also still reluctant to give me the opportunity to take care of my son, in fact, he rarely lets me be near my son.

"Good morning." The doctor who treated George was greeted friendly. His smile was cheered up George and he also seemed so close to the children that George's eyes lit up at the beautiful doctor.

"I'll check your condition, young hero." said the doctor. "Em . . . your wound is completely healed, there might still be some pain, but it's no big deal for a hero as strong as you." He said again encouraging my son.

"Yes, I'll deal with this pain, Doc." The twinkle in George's eyes made me tear up. After three dark weeks, finally today the sun shines in my heart, I see my son smiling.

"Today you can go home, but if you miss me, you can come anytime." Said the doctor while giving George a warm hug. My son was the first patient he visited this morning.

My heart broke when he turned to me and shouted with joy. "Mommy . . . yey I'm going home!!"

"Yes..." I came closer and held his hand.

"We're going home." My tears almost spilled out, but I held them in. George was really a sincere boy. He didn't hold any grudge against me or accuse me of harming himself. He did not judge me like his father who thought my negligence caused him harm. In fact, all this time I blamed myself for being late to pick her up that day, besides people who knew the story half-heartedly or even knew the full story also judged me very viciously including my husband.

"Ok, See you a later little hero. Keep healthy, I hope we'll meet again to have some donuts." The handsome young doctor excused himself from my son's treatment room and George waved at him.

After the doctor left George turned and looked at his father. "Dad... are we going to stop by to buy my favorite ice cream?" George asked and Aldric answered happily, "Of course my son."

Alric helped George get out of bed and put him in a wheelchair so the stitches wouldn't hurt. Even so, there is no trauma at all that can be seen in George's eyes, last week our pediatrician at this hospital provided trauma healing for George and it seemed to be working.

Aldric drove in the front while George and I sat in the back seat, I held his hand "I'm sorry, dear." I kissed his hand and he looked at me.

"Why do you always say sorry, mom?" he asked.

"Mommy was late to pick you up that day, and it harm you." I've been holding back those words for weeks and I really wanted to say it to him, this is the first time I've had that chance. Aldric seemed to glance through the rearview mirror in front of him but when I saw him he looked away.

"That's not your fault mom. Don't say sorry." George looked at me and I couldn't hold back my tears.

Today Aldric really spoiled George, he stopped by and bought his son's favorite ice cream. In addition, he also bought a lot of action figures, even limited edition ones, for George, which were still wrapped in gifts.

Unbeknownst to me Aldric even decorated George's room to welcome his son home. Some of George's friends and his parents who live near our compound came to visit and brought gifts.

Aldric also prepared special hampers for those who came to visit his son. And among all that he did, I was not involved in it. Aldric really has crossed me off his life list.

I waited for the right time to finally be able to defend myself before Aldric after weeks I received an unfair judgment from him.

"I want to talk," I said as he passed in front of me while I sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee. At first, he was only giddy for a moment, but after looking thoughtful he finally drew near.

"I know I'm guilty of everything that happened to our son, George. But can't you just take this as an accident?" I asked.

Aldric folded his arms across his chest. "Ask yourself how much you feel guilty, you even blame yourself because you know you are guilty," Aldric said.

"Then how can I make up for it?" I asked pleading.

Aldric sighed deeply, "I want you to leave us." those were the words that came out of Aldric's lips, his gaze was so dark on me, I bit my lip, trying to hold myself back, I didn't want to cry, because if I cried our conversation would not lead to a solution.

"That is not fair." I tried to defend myself.

Aldric shook his head, "You've been cheating behind my back by meeting that man. And because of your meeting, I don't know what you did together to make you neglect your obligations as a mother." His jaw seemed to harden, "We meet in court." He said, my eyes widening at him. "You intend to divorce me?" I whispered helplessly, as if my whole mind was suddenly paralyzed.

"You left me first, I have no choice. You've made yours," he said.

"I can explain everything." I tried to explain.

Aldric sighed deeply, "Don't waste my time, everything that happened I saw with my own eyes and I don't need anyone's explanation for what I witnessed." he said. "You can start packing, see you in court."

"I will not leave my son," I said defending my ego.

Aldric turned to me, after having walked away from me. "You don't deserve to be called your son, you almost killed him." He answered and those words shattered me to pieces. But Aldric didn't budge, there wasn't the slightest pity left in his heart for me. He really hated me like I was his enemy for thousands of years.

I followed his steps towards the room, but before I arrived Aldric had already closed the door to our room. At first, I tried to open the bedroom door but couldn't because it was clear Aldric had locked the door from the inside.

"How can you hate me that much?" I mumbled softly with a trembling voice, all the strength I had vanished causing me to stumble limply and fall to the floor. My tears spilled without a sound. How could I have lost all of this just because of a little carelessness? I will lose my son, I will also lose my husband and family?