unspoken battles

"So, what date would you fix for the wedding, Sophia?" Mr. Greyson asked, his voice calm yet commanding.

Mr. Caldwell sat silently in the room, his presence almost ghost-like as the conversation unfolded. His thoughts spiraled deeper with each word spoken. So, this is really happening, he thought, his heart sinking further.

"It should happen on the 2nd of next month. That's my birthday, so I think it's the perfect day for the wedding," Olivia chimed in, her tone laced with excitement.

Sophia glanced around the room, noticing David seated next to Mr. Caldwell, his gaze fixed on their father, who seemed far removed from the present.

"I need time to think about this," Sophia interjected, her voice firm yet gentle. "I can't agree to a wedding next month. I'm not ready, and I want to see Caldwell Horizon back on its feet before we discuss any wedding plans." She leaned back into her seat, trying to steady her nerves.

Mr. Greyson's expression didn't falter. "I was thinking the wedding should happen soon—before your pregnancy becomes noticeable. It would prevent unnecessary questions from outsiders and ensure everything remains discreet between the families. I hope you understand, Sophia."

Sophia froze, a chill running down her spine. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Lila sneered, "You're not prepared? Why? You've already agreed to marry Alex. Mom's date is perfect. I'll even help you pick a dress for the wedding."

David and Mr. Caldwell remained silent, their lack of words speaking volumes.

"Mr. Caldwell, what do you think of the date Olivia suggested for the ceremony?" Mr. Greyson asked, his curiosity cutting through the tension in the room.

Still, there was no immediate response. He pressed again, "Mr. Caldwell, do you have a better idea or something to add?"

Mr. Caldwell finally broke his silence, his voice slow and cold. "It's all fine. Anything you all agree on—if Sophia is okay with it—then so be it. Go on." He leaned back into his seat, his exhaustion evident.

"Excellent," Mr. Greyson replied, a sly grin forming on his face. "I'll inform my son of the good news. Mr. Caldwell, send me your account details, and I'll forward some funds immediately."

Mr. Caldwell hesitated. He knew his bank account balance was a glaring zero. Before he could respond, Olivia interjected, "Oh, I'll call the details for you," eagerly reciting her personal account information.

Mr. Caldwell forced a faint smile—a hollow mask that betrayed his humiliation.

"Done. Confirm it," Mr. Greyson said, his tone triumphant. "I've sent $70 million—$50 million for the family and the rest as a token of my appreciation for your loyalty, Mrs. Caldwell. I'll be expecting you at my house soon, Sophia."

Sophia barely managed a polite nod, her emotions boiling beneath the surface.

After Mr. Greyson left, David silently rose and headed to his room. The others dispersed, leaving Mr. Caldwell alone in the parlor, staring blankly at the floor. His thoughts churned in endless loops: How did it come to this? He had never felt so powerless.

Sophia retreated to her room, her phone lighting up with a missed call from Ethan. She hesitated, staring at his name on the screen. Why is he calling now? she wondered. A mix of anger and longing filled her chest. Where was he when everything fell apart? Why didn't he come to check on me or my family?

The thoughts overwhelmed her as she lay on her bed, her phone still clutched in her hand.

Meanwhile, Olivia returned to confront her husband. "Why were you just sitting there like a statue? Aren't you happy that your daughter is getting married? At least she's trying to fix the mess she created. And you sit there, looking miserable, as if we've mistreated you!"

Mr. Caldwell didn't respond, his silence a shield against her sharp words.

"If you need money for anything, let me know," Olivia added dismissively. "But don't waste it. There's no room for frivolity anymore."

Sophia, overhearing the conversation, walked past without a word, her heart sinking further. Mr. Caldwell watched her go, his thoughts heavy. Why is my wife so greedy? How did I not see this side of her before? What has happened to the woman I married?

Just then, his phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at the screen:

"Your mom is in High Rose Hospital. Come now—it's an emergency."

The message, from an unknown number, hit Mr. Caldwell like a punch to the gut. His heart raced, and his mind immediately shifted to panic. He couldn't waste time thinking. His mother—his own mother—was in trouble, and the clock was ticking.

Without a second thought, he grabbed his wife's car keys. Olivia opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, he was already rushing out of the door. "This is my mother," he muttered to himself, pushing the door open with urgency. He couldn't explain it to her now. He didn't have time.

As he sped toward High Rose Hospital, his mind spiraled. What could have happened to her? Why hadn't she reached out before? He clenched his fists on the steering wheel, trying to keep his thoughts in check. But fear clawed at his chest with every passing second.

When he arrived, the severity of the situation was evident. A doctor stood waiting for him in the sterile, white hallway, his face grim.

"Mr. Caldwell," the doctor began, his voice carrying an unsettling seriousness. "Your mother has suffered a ruptured aortic aneurysm. It's critical—we need to operate immediately, but we cannot proceed without a $10 million deposit."

Mr. Caldwell's blood ran cold. $10 million. It felt impossible. He could feel the weight of those words crushing him. Where would he get that amount of money? He wasn't just facing the threat of losing his mother; he was facing the very real possibility of failing her when she needed him most.

His voice trembled as he asked, almost pleading, "Are you sure? Isn't there something else? Anything?"

The doctor's expression softened slightly but remained firm. "I understand this is difficult, Mr. Caldwell. But we can't wait. Every second counts."

As the doctor continued with the medical details, Mr. Caldwell's thoughts scattered. He needed time to figure this out, but his options were shrinking fast.

"I need to make a call," Mr. Caldwell said, his voice barely above a whisper, his mind racing. The doctor nodded, stepping back to give him a moment of privacy.

He stepped outside, his fingers shaking as he dialed Olivia's number.

The phone rang a few times before Olivia's voice picked up, calm but with a tinge of irritation. "What is it now? What's going on?"

"Olivia," he said, trying to steady his voice but failing. "My mother… she's in the hospital. The doctors say it's urgent. They need $10 million for the surgery. They won't start without it."

There was a long pause on the other end, and then Olivia's voice, sharp and cold, cut through the silence. "What do you want me to do about it? You're the one who's always talking about finances. What are you expecting from me?"

His pride felt like it was crumbling to dust. He had to swallow it, had to make this work—for his mother's sake. He could barely get the words out as his voice shook. "Olivia… can you… help me with the money? I promise I'll pay it back. I'll figure something out. Please. I need you now."

The desperation in his voice caught Olivia off guard. For the first time, she heard the tremor of fear in his tone, the kind of fear she had never seen in him before. He wasn't the proud, composed man she had known; he was just a son—scared, vulnerable, and pleading.

"Okay," Olivia replied, her voice softer now. "I'll transfer the money. Just tell me where the hospital is. I'll be there."

"High Rose," he said, his voice almost too small to hear. "I'm going to meet with the doctor now."

As the call ended, Mr. Caldwell felt the weight of the moment settle on him. Olivia would come through—but how could he ever make up for this? How could he repay her for this sacrifice? His mind didn't have the answers. All he could do now was wait and hope.

He walked back to the doctor, his stomach a tight knot of anxiety. His mother's life was hanging in the balance—and the price of saving her was more than he had ever imagined. He was in deeper than ever before, caught between his pride, his responsibilities, and his love for his family. As the only son, he knew he couldn't let her down—she had been the only one who was there for him when he was younger.