"A Tapestry Unraveled"

Chapter 10

As the meeting in Sarah's office cabin continued, the absence of Richard became increasingly conspicuous. The main members exchanged puzzled glances, their eyes silently questioning each other. Sarah maintained her composure, leading the discussion with a firm hand.

"Where is Richard?" one of the members finally dared to ask.

Sarah, looking unruffled, replied, "He's tied up in another crucial meeting for the company. Rest assured, he's working for the benefit of both our enterprises."

Her statement was met with a few nods, but skepticism lingered in the room. Unbeknownst to the others, Daniel, Richard's Personal Assistant, approached Sarah discreetly. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Richards. Richard couldn't make it. He's preoccupied with his personal matters," he whispered, a subtle mix of apology and gratitude in his tone.

Sarah maintained a professional demeanor, offering only a slight nod in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Daniel. I'll handle it from here."

The joint meeting persisted for eight intense hours, during which Sarah steered the discussions with finesse. Solutions were brainstormed, decisions were made, and a sense of accomplishment filled the room as the meeting concluded.

As the main members filed out of the office, Sarah chose to stay behind, immersing herself in upcoming projects alongside her dedicated assistant. The clock ticked past the regular office hours, the dim glow of the city outside casting a tranquil ambiance in the room.

Around 7 pm, Sarah's phone buzzed, indicating a call from her brother. She answered with a sense of urgency. "What's wrong?"

"Sarah, you need to come to St. Vincent Hospital. It's Richard's dad. There's been an emergency," her brother's voice conveyed the gravity of the situation.

Without a moment's hesitation, Sarah gathered her belongings and rushed out of the office. The journey to St. Vincent Hospital was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. Concern for Richard's father battled with the unresolved issues surrounding Richard's absence from the meeting.

Arriving at the hospital, Sarah found her brother anxiously waiting in the lobby. "What happened?" she questioned, her eyes searching for answers.

"He had a heart attack. They're attending to him now," her brother explained, leading her to the waiting area.

As Sarah anxiously awaited news about Richard's father, a familiar figure emerged from the hospital corridor – Daniel. He approached Sarah with a look of concern, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Mrs. Richards, I heard about Mr. Richards' father. Is there anything I can do?" Daniel offered, genuine worry etched on his face.

Sarah, appreciating his concern, replied, "Thank you, Daniel. We'll see how things unfold. Your support is appreciated."

In the quiet corner of the hospital waiting room, Sarah's eyes met Daniel's, her expression a mix of concern and anticipation. "Daniel, where is Richard?" she inquired, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Daniel hesitated for a moment before responding, "Mrs. Richards, I... I think he's still with Lily. I'm sorry."

Shock washed over Sarah's face, her features frozen in disbelief. The weight of the revelation pressed upon her, unveiling a reality she had suspected but never fully acknowledged. The man she called her husband, though there is no such husband-wife relationship between them, the one she stayed and shared with, had spent the entire day with his mistress, Lily, leaving his own father unattended during a medical emergency.

Sarah's heart sank, a mixture of disappointment and resignation flooding her emotions. She took a deep breath, the air heavy with unspoken truths. In that moment, she chose silence over confrontation, realizing that words might not mend the fractures that had begun to appear in her marriage.

Her focus shifted back to her father-in-law, who was still receiving medical attention. Sarah sat by his bedside, her thoughts consumed by the fragility of life and the choices that shaped it. As the hours passed, she silently prayed for her father-in-law's recovery, pushing aside the personal turmoil that threatened to overwhelm her.

News of the surgery's success eventually reached Sarah, and a small glimmer of relief washed over her. She maintained her vigil by the bedside, attending to her father-in-law's needs, and exchanging polite conversations with other family members who had gathered.

Days turned into nights, and Sarah's stoicism became a pillar of strength for those around her. She refrained from discussing Richard's absence with anyone, allowing the focus to remain on the health of her father-in-law.

One evening, as the hospital room fell into a hushed stillness, Richard finally arrived. His eyes met Sarah's, and for a fleeting moment, guilt flashed across his features. However, Sarah remained composed, her resolve unwavering. She offered no words of accusation, choosing to prioritize the well-being of her father-in-law over a confrontation.

"Richard, your father's condition is stable now. He's on the path to recovery," Sarah informed him, her voice devoid of any hint of reproach.

Richard, caught off guard by Sarah's calm demeanor, mumbled a half-hearted thank you before taking a seat by his father's bedside. The unspoken tension lingered in the room, yet Sarah remained steadfast in her support for the family.