Chapter 4: I will make you pay.

His heart racing with anticipation and fear.

Albert rushed into the hospital, his eyes scanning the waiting area for Mariam. He spotted her standing by the window, her arms crossed and a fierce expression on her face.

As soon as Mariam saw Albert, she strode towards him, her eyes blazing with anger.

"You,"

she spat, her voice low and venomous.

"You're the reason my daughter is lying in there, fighting for her life."

Albert took a step back, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Mariam, I—"

But Mariam cut him off, her words tumbling out in a furious torrent.

"You broke her heart, Albert. You led her on and then discarded her like trash. And now she's paying the price."

Albert's face went pale as he listened to Mariam's words. He knew he had hurt Ryan, but he had no idea it had affected her so deeply.

"I'm so sorry, Mariam,"

Albert said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I never meant for things to go this far."

Mariam's expression didn't soften. "Sorry isn't enough, Albert. You need to make things right"3

Just then, a doctor in a white coat approached Mariam and Albert. "Mrs. Wilson?" he said gently.

Mariam turned to him, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "Yes?"

The doctor's expression was somber. "I'm afraid Ryan's condition has taken a turn for the worse. She's slipped into a coma."

Mariam's face crumpled as she absorbed the news. Albert felt a pang of guilt and sorrow, knowing that he had contributed to Ryan's distress.

"What...what are her chances?" Mariam stammered.

The doctor hesitated before speaking. "We'll do everything we can to help her recover, but...it's difficult to predict the outcome at this point."

Mariam nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. Albert felt helpless, unsure of how to comfort her or not.

Mariam's eyes flashed with anger as she turned to Albert. "Get out," she spat, her voice venomous. "Get out of here and never come back."

Albert hesitated, unsure of what to do. But Mariam's anger was palpable, and he knew he had to leave.

"I'm sorry, Mariam," Albert said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I never meant for things to go this far."

But Mariam just shook her head, her eyes blazing with fury.

"You're sorry? You're sorry? You have no idea what sorry is."

Albert turned and walked away, feeling a mix of guilt, shame, and sorrow. He knew he had hurt Ryan deeply, and now he might never have the chance to make things right.

Mariam slowly made her way to the recovery room, her heart heavy with grief and anger. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light.

Ryan lay motionless on the bed, her face pale and bruised. Mariam's eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at her daughter, feeling a deep sense of sorrow and regret.

"Why did this have to happen to you, Ryan?" Mariam whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. "You deserve so much better than what Albert did to you."

Mariam's anger and resentment towards Albert boiled over, and she made a silent vow to herself.

"I'll make him pay for this, Ryan,"

Mariam whispered, her eyes blazing with determination.

"I'll make sure he gets hurt like anyone before."

——-

Albert trudged back to his mansion, his mind reeling with thoughts of Ryan and the accident. He couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and responsibility that weighed heavily on his conscience.

As he entered his bedroom, Albert collapsed onto his bed, exhausted from the emotional turmoil. He closed his eyes, hoping to escape the haunting images of Ryan's broken body.

But sleep didn't come easily. Albert's mind raced with thoughts of what could have been, of what he could have done differently. He tossed and turned, his dreams filled with visions of Ryan's accident and Mariam's angry face.

Hours passed, but Albert's sleep was fitful and disturbed. He was trapped in a nightmare of his own making, and he couldn't wake up.

***

Albert woke up to the sound of his alarm blaring in his ear. He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the lingering fogginess from his restless sleep.

As he got out of bed, Albert knew he had to do something to take his mind off the events of the previous day. He couldn't keep dwelling on his guilt and regret.

He decided to throw himself into work, hoping that the distraction would help him escape his emotions. Albert headed to his home office and began responding to emails and making phone calls.

Albert's father, Reginald Thompson, was a successful businessman who built the family's shoe production company from scratch. He was a demanding and exacting man who pushed Albert to work hard and take over the family business one day.

When Reginald passed away suddenly, Albert felt a deep sense of loss and responsibility. He became determined to prove himself and make his father proud by taking the company to even greater heights.

The Thompson Shoe Company is a well-established and respected brand in the industry. Albert has worked tirelessly to expand the company's product lines, improve efficiency, and increase profits.

He is driven by a desire to surpass his father's achievements and solidify the company's position as a leader in the market.

Albert's singular focus on the company has come at a personal cost. He has few close relationships outside of work and has become increasingly isolated and alone.

Albert's mother, Catherine, abandoned the family when he was a child. The reason was never explained, leaving Albert with feelings of confusion, anger, and abandonment. This event shaped his relationships and worldview, making it hard for him to trust and commit.

No wonder he preferred contract relationships. At least they wouldn't break his heart.