gan stood frozen there, fury simring in her eyes. But then slowly, her shoulders relaxed. Her fingers uncurled. And a cool and calculating smile slid onto her lips.
"You made a mistake, Anne," she murmured, eyes still fixed on the direction where Anne had disappeared. "Even if you are Augustine’s wife, you don’t get a free pass. Skipping work like this? You just handed the weapon I needed. I won’t waste this chance."
A sly gleam danced in gan’s eyes as she pulled out her phone and dialed a number. The mont the call connected, her tone turned urgent, deliberately concerned.
"Helena, I need to report an issue," she said smoothly. "It’s about an employee neglecting her duties during work hours. The CEO’s secretary—Anne Clare. I ca by to discuss sothing with Mr. Augustine and found her desk completely unattended. I waited for fifteen minutes. She never ca back. I even tried calling her, but her number isn’t reachable. I think it warrants so disciplinary action."
There was a brief pause on the other end before Helena responded, "Oh, that’s... troubling." She sounded clearly thrown off guard.
The last ti, Augustine had torn into her for appointing an inexperienced secretary for him. The thought of facing his wrath again made her stomach twist. "Thank you for letting know. I’ll take care of it imdiately."
A smug smile tugged at gan’s lips as she ended the call. "Well, Anne," she muttered under her breath, slipping her phone back into her purse, "let’s see how Augustine saves you this ti."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anne arrived at the hospital in no ti. She nearly ran through the hallway, heart hamring in her chest. Every second felt like a lifeti as she reached the room she had visited over and over again for the last three years, clinging to hope that one day, her father’s eyes would open.
But when she finally reached the room, her legs shook, and her hand trembled at the doorknob. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped in slowly. Her eyes imdiately fell on the familiar figure lying on the bed.
Paule turned his head slowly toward the door and then blinked.
Anne froze. "Papa," she whispered.
Paule curled his lips slowly. That was all it took.
Anne rushed forward, dropping her bag, and collapsing by his bedside. "Papa," she sobbed, clutching his hand, bringing it to her cheek. Her tears fell freely. "You are awake... You really ca back to ..."
His eyes welled with tears, too. His lips parted. A faint sound escaped, but no words. His hands trembled against hers.
Anne’s smile vanished as she sensed sothing was wrong, worry creeping in. "Why can’t you speak? Are you in pain?"
Paule shook his head slowly, his mouth opening and closing. He was clearly trying to say sothing, but couldn’t speak.
Anne’s face turned pale. All her excitent and joy vanished as the reality crashed over her. "Papa!" She thought her father was finally awake, but a new trouble appeared in front of her.
The door creaked open.
She turned to the door and saw a doctor entering, clipboard in hand, a gentle expression on his face.
"Doctor?" she called out, rising to her feet. "What happened to my father? Why is he struggling to speak?"
"He is stable," the doctor said reassuringly. "But after three years in a coma, the body doesn’t just bounce back. His brain is still relearning how to connect the dots — movent, speech, even basic coordination. Therapy will improve his condition. It’ll take ti, and you need to have patience."
Anne looked back at her father.
He was still blinking slowly, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes. Anne leaned down and wiped the tears away from his face. "You are awake and that’s what matters," she said with a smile. "And you will be recovered soon. I’m with you."
Paule smiled through his tears.
Anne blinked her own tears away and returned his smile. "I’ve already inford Mom and Lorie about you. They will be here soon."
Paule tensed, his smile disappearing. He made so throaty sound in his desperate attempt to say sothing. The tension in his features was clear, and Anne grew worried.
"Calm down," she coaxed him. "You don’t have to stress yourself. Soon, you will be able to speak." She patted the back of his hand reassuringly, her smile returning.
"I’ve sothing to tell you. I got married." She held up her hand and showed him the diamond ring on her finger, her eyes sparkling. "He is very good to ."
Paule nodded, smiling from ear to ear. He was genuinely happy for her. With his trembling hand, he reached for her head. His gestures showed his approval.
"His na is Augustine," Anne continued. "He is the CEO of a company."
Paule’s eyes shone even more with interest.
"He wants to take on our honeymoon," Anne added, her cheeks turning red. "We’ll be leaving tomorrow."
Paule nodded enthusiastically as if giving her permission.
Anne grinned. "I’ll bring him to see you once we are back."
In the anti, the door cracked open, and Patricia and Lorie rushed in.
"Paule!"
"Dad!"
They both shouted in unison and rushed over. Anne stood up and stepped back.
"Paule!" Patricia’s eyes brimd with tears as she held his hand. "You are finally awake."
"Dad, it’s so good to see you awake," Lorie said, her voice cracking.
Paule turned his head away, pulling his hand back.
"What happened?" Patricia frowned, sensing sothing was wrong with Paule. "Why are you not saying anything? Aren’t you happy to see us?"
"He just woke up from a coma after three long years," Anne chid in. "He is having trouble speaking, but the doctor said that’s normal. His body needs ti to recover. We have to be patient with him."
Patricia shot her a cold look, her face tightening with frustration. She didn’t want Anne there, but said nothing in front of her husband. Lorie, however, didn’t bother hiding her irritation.
"We don’t need updates from you," she snapped sharply. "I’ll speak to the doctor myself."
Anne t her gaze calmly. "Fine."
"Since we are here now, you can leave," Lorie said, her disapproval radiating in waves.
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