Upon regaining consciousness in the intensive care unit, the wealthy man overheard his wife’s phone conversation and, upon learning of the will, pretended to be dead. James woke up immediately, as if an invisible switch had been flipped, bringing him back to consciousness. As his body still remained unresponsive, he opened his eyes slightly and saw he was in a room whose whiteness made him squint again.
Sir, where am I and why does my body feel so weak and powerless? How did I get here? he murmured. The answer to his question came in the form of a faint chirping, coming from various sensors and devices a few feet from the bed. James forced his consciousness again and realized he was in a hospital room.
But how did he get there and what exactly happened? The blinding light made it difficult for him to concentrate, and a ringing in his ears seemed like an alarm. A sharp pain immediately shot through him, causing him to groan softly. Suddenly, James felt an intense thirst, but there was no one to give him water at the moment, nor was there any within reach.
There was no doubt it was a hospital room, but why was there so much equipment there? James had never been in a medical facility like this, so he had nothing to compare it to. IV drips and various sensors slipped through his fingers, and his body felt completely weightless. He didn’t have the strength to open his eyes fully, so he could only glimpse the world through slits.
At first, the sounds seemed so muffled and distant that James doubted he could hear anything. But then, a very familiar voice sounded nearby, making his heart race with excitement. It was his wife Grace’s voice, yes, there was no mistaking it.
The same intonation and a slight flirtatiousness in the way she pronounced some phrases gave her away completely. James suddenly tensed, trying to signal Grace when he heard the sound of the door opening. The businessman composed himself, hoping to hear anything but that.
Dr. Merritt, hello. Please tell me, how is my husband? Is he going to stay in bed and suffer for a long time? Perhaps it’s worth resorting to more radical measures? Grace asked, adding a plaintive tone to her voice. There was a tense pause in the room for a moment, and then the attending physician replied, “I’ll give you some advice: don’t anger God, hope for the best. Your husband doesn’t have much of a chance, but you can’t give up.”
I also advise you to spend less time around him to avoid accidentally infecting him. If there’s any progress in the treatment, we’ll inform you immediately, but for now, I strongly recommend you leave the room. You’re right.
“Forgive me, I understand everything,” Grace sang in a honeyed voice. And soon after, James heard footsteps fading and the sound of a door closing, so he deduced that the doctor had left, while Grace remained standing by his bed, lost in thought. Suddenly, the businessman clearly made out the melodious ringing of a telephone.
In the intensive care unit, it sounded so unnatural that it made him doubt the reality of everything that was happening. He never liked eavesdropping and considered it a shameful and undignified act for someone of his status. After all, he owned one of the best restaurants in the city.
If James were healthy right now, he would undoubtedly have left the room and let Grace speak without witnesses. But since he couldn’t do that, he had to listen to the whole thing from beginning to end. “Hello, darling, is that you? Your number sounded strange.”
Did they make you a new one? A will? Yes, I’ve written it, of course. Where will it go? Yes, I’ve already read it. Everything is just as I wanted it.
Thanks to the notary who checked it. It’s true, it’s not free, of course, but you have to pay for everything. Yes, you know that.
After his wife’s words, James’s heart raced. Who is Grace speaking to so sweetly? She doesn’t even speak, she just coos. Is it possible? And what exactly is she talking about, this will? But what she said next finally dispelled all doubts.
Yes, darling, I just walked in. Well, what can I say? My darling lies there like a vegetable. No change.
I think, with this, I’ll be able to run the restaurant as I see fit. And when James is gone, I’ll inherit it properly. Well, I’m off.
I still have things to do. And I love you. Well, goodbye for now.
Such audacity left James breathless. It’s incomprehensible. Talking about her husband’s impending departure in his presence, and even calling him a vegetable.
Did he deserve such treatment? Meanwhile, lying in his hospital bed, James stubbornly couldn’t understand why the sensors that were supposed to inform the medical staff that he had regained consciousness weren’t working. He’d seen something similar in a horror movie. He couldn’t remember the title, but the gist of it had stayed with him forever.
However, it’s one thing to watch from the sidelines, and quite another to be the protagonist, especially when your partner has just betrayed you so easily. And James had no doubt about the betrayal. But who had saved him from the flames of the car? Who had dared to risk their life for him? In that instant, his consciousness clouded, bringing him back, in waves of memory, to the event that had occurred that fateful day.
The morning for elite restaurateur James Williams began as usual, practically the same as the previous ones. As always, he woke up with the first rays of sunlight, when most of the city’s inhabitants were still peacefully dozing in their beds. From the windows of his house, he enjoyed an excellent view of the city, which was just beginning to resume its daily routine…
First, James prepared a simple but delicious and nutritious breakfast. He poured himself orange juice and quickly fried eggs with bacon. Then, he spent a few minutes exercising to fully awaken his body and regain his muscles.
Strive to lead a healthy lifestyle, he never insisted on his opinions or forced his wife to follow his example. Every person is different, and Grace was no exception. James, for example, was a vegetarian and did not consume animal products.
At the same time, he fully understood that he had no right to judge those who ate meat. Taking a tray with the prepared breakfast, James went out to the spacious terrace and sat at the table. Due to winter, the terrace was closed, with a small fireplace crackling in one corner.
Enjoying the fresh air and the silence of the morning, he thought about the day’s plans to make sure he accomplished everything. Grace was still asleep at that hour, which made James feel a little lonely. After breakfast, the businessman put on his favorite suit and headed to work.
He always tried to arrive before opening time to see who was on time and who was late. He disliked lateness, although he wasn’t quick to judge those who did it out of necessity, like Emma, the dishwasher, who lived on the other side of town and had to take the bus to work. James knew very well that transportation on that route was very unstable, especially in bad weather, when the city’s normal rhythm was disrupted and municipal workers had to deal with the elements.
Such was the case on that fateful day, when it began to snow in the morning. At first, it fell slowly, forming small whirlwinds, the result of strong gusts of wind. Then, it entered a more active phase, quickly covering the roofs of the houses with white flakes.
James loved this weather, even though he knew the revenue would be low today. When a heavy blizzard hits, city dwellers don’t rush to restaurants to dine with a glass of something delicious and aromatic. Parking his car in the driveway, James turned up his coat collar and momentarily abandoned the comfort and warmth.
A strong gust of wind immediately threw a handful of snow in his face, causing him to shiver and quicken his pace. The caretaker, Henry, was already busy with his shovel, hurrying to clear the steps before the restaurant owner arrived. Seeing him, the old man raised his hand in a welcoming gesture.
Good morning, Mr. Williams. It snowed today, of course, and it will continue to snow. It really hurts to the bone.
Good morning, Henry. Are you still struggling alone in the snow? I told the security guard to help you during times like these, James commented, but the caretaker simply brushed him off. Oh, come on, all right, I can handle it, James, I’m used to it.
You know, it’s like exercise for me. A couple of whacks with the shovel and my body feels normal again. The businessman smiled.
Exercise, you say? Then pass me that shovel. I’ll warm up right now, get my blood circulating. The janitor tried to protest, but the young manager stood his ground and didn’t calm down until he took away the much-needed tool from him in the blizzard.
People passing by the restaurant watched in surprise as the respectable businessman skillfully wielded a shovel, clearing the snow from the steps. Henry nodded respectfully. “I see you’re quite skilled at this, James…”
Where did you get so much practice? James smiled. Where else? In the village, of course. At my grandfather’s house, on the outskirts.
I used to fish a lot there. I’m not much of a hunter, you know, but picking mushrooms, berries, or fishing always tickles my fancy. So there was a lot of snow in the winter.
You’d wake up and the cabin would be dark, with all the windows covered in snow. You’d grab a shovel and move on. The caretaker looked at the restaurant owner with undisguised compassion.
James was a good man. He never offended him with words or actions, and sometimes even stood up for him, especially in front of the manager, who enjoyed bullying the weaker ones. I’ll remember that scoundrel.
And there he is. Mr. Williams, what are you doing? The wind is very strong, and you’re thinking about shoveling the snow. You’re sure to catch a cold.
Where would we be without you then? Andrew shouted over the wind. James turned and looked the manager in the eye, fully understanding that he was deliberately deceiving and flattering him. “Come on, Andrew.”
It’s nothing. After all, I’m not a kid anymore. So tell me, how are things going at the restaurant? Didn’t the suppliers disappoint us? And is everyone working?” At the mention of this last point, the manager grimaced as if he had a toothache.
Dancer in the cold wind, Andrew replied, “Yes, everything’s in its place, except the dishwasher.” What’s her name? Emma, I think. No matter how much you scold her, she never gets to work on time.”
James looked disapprovingly at the manager and, handing the shovel to the janitor, said, “Andrew, you know very well that Emma has four children, whom, by the way, she’s raising alone. And I’ve asked you not to call her a dishwasher. Emma is a kitchen employee or a member of the kitchen staff.”
Learn to respect your subordinates. Without that, you can’t create a proper workflow. The boss’s comment was so sharp that the manager flinched and glanced sideways at the custodian.
What if he heard it? Shame on you! Ah, he heard it loud and clear. Look at him, grinning from ear to ear, unabashed. Well, whatever, we’ll fix this.
Let’s get rid of the boss first, and then put the screws on everyone else. At that moment, the hunched figure of a young woman appeared around the corner, sprinting to work, walking straight through the snow. Ah, here comes Emma Fisher. What’s the excuse this time? Did the bus break down, or did you come up with something more elaborate? The manager was startled, but stopped under James’s sharp stare.
“Sorry, Mr. Brown, the bus turned around on the way. I had to find alternatives,” Emma replied apologetically, looking down, her nose red. “Right, go and make sure everything is in order. Wash the dishes properly, so they squeak when you touch them,” Andrew concluded with a stern look.
Emma nodded and ran toward the front door. At that moment, she tripped awkwardly on a step, causing the sole of her boot to slip. James was the first to react, catching Emma at the most dangerous moment.
Oh, thank you, sorry for being so clumsy. He started to apologize. Don’t apologize, Emma, it’s not your fault.
But maybe Andrew should finally get to work and sprinkle some salt on the paths, James commented, emphasizing the last word. Afterward, he took Emma’s hand to help her up the slippery steps. Despite not wearing gloves, the businessman’s palm felt very hot, but then something very strange happened.
Suddenly, Emma let out a strangled gasp and pulled her small hand away. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” James asked worriedly. Emma looked down, feeling guilty, and clenched her fist.
She looked scared; she wasn’t herself at all. “I’m sorry, please, it’s not your fault, it must have been my imagination.” “Sorry again,” Emma said forcefully.
Fear froze in her eyes, a fear he could feel on his skin. But what was it? What did James do wrong? Did he squeeze her hand too hard? No, it didn’t look like it. He shook his head, puzzled, and then ran after Emma.
The businessman caught up with her in the hallway, where he called out to her in a low voice so as not to attract attention. “Emma, what happened? Why did you react so strangely?” She froze and looked at him with a strange pity. “I’m sorry, it’s all because of my visions.”
“What visions?” James exclaimed, confused. Emma paled. “Well, the ones that come true, you know, like premonitions, but real.
They started at school when I suffered a concussion in PE class. We were climbing a rope and I fell. It wasn’t very high.”
But that’s when it all started. The businessman frowned. “And what did you see, if I may ask, in those visions?” And suddenly, Emma’s eyes filled with tears…
It’s a car accident. What color is your car? Dark green.” When I touched your hand, I understood instantly.
That car will be involved in a terrible accident. But it won’t be your fault. It will be someone very close to you.
I saw it as soon as I touched your hand. It struck me like a bolt of lightning. James looked at his colleague ironically.
He didn’t believe in any prophecies, of course. To him, they were all nonsense. And all those fortune-tellers and psychics were just charlatans.
There was a lady who predicted a long and thorny road to success for him, back in his student days. So what? The road lay ahead, of course. But it required a lot of hard work.
And those predictions weren’t true. Emma looked at her boss with concern, realizing he didn’t believe a word she was saying. Excuse me, Mr. Williams, but I heard you.
“Don’t drive for now,” she said. He just smiled. “Don’t worry, Emma.
I’ve been driving for over ten years and haven’t had a single problem.” Besides, I never exceed the speed limit, so there’s no need to worry unnecessarily, okay? An accident is definitely not in my plans.
Emma nodded, looking at James as if he were already doomed. All right. Get back to work and don’t dwell on the negatives.
By the way, how are your little ones? If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll help you in any way I can, James said as he headed into his office. Thank you.
“Everything’s fine, Mr. Williams. I just need your permission for something,” Emma asked cautiously. “Permission, of course.”
Go ahead. What do you need? James replied. The dishwasher hesitated for a moment, as if gathering her strength, and then said, “I want to ask your permission to take home the dishes the customers rejected.”
Just one or two. I’ll pay for everything, don’t worry. Can I get it deducted from my paycheck?” James smiled.
Yeah, right. What’s wrong? And there’s no charge. They’ll get rid of them anyway.
Besides, it seems like both you and the kids will benefit and take whatever you want. It’s just leftovers. A spark of joy shone in her eyes.
Lucky me. Meanwhile, James went about his usual business: talking on the phone with the restaurant manager, approving menus, and preparing for the inspection, making sure everything was perfect. Every now and then, though, he remembered Emma’s words, which had struck a chord with him.
Can you believe it? A kitchen employee with psychic powers. It’s the first time I’ve seen it. But thoughts of a possible car accident soon faded, giving way to meetings with new suppliers, tastings of new dishes, and discussions about current restaurant issues with the manager.
Maintaining an atmosphere of trust and cooperation, James resolved disputes gently, using the stick far less frequently than the carrot. The time passed unnoticed, exceeding three hours. The storm’s fury continued to rage, but its morning impact had diminished.
The city’s public services took control of the situation surprisingly quickly and cleared most of the main roads. Although there was still an hour and a half left in the day, James decided to leave early. An interesting plan had occurred to him to fill this February night with an aura of love and romance.
James decided to treat his wife to a beautiful bouquet of roses, a bottle of wine, and something delicious from his own restaurant’s kitchen. Although the latter two didn’t take much time, searching for flowers in the snowy city turned into a real adventure. Much to his dismay, most of the flower pavilions were closed.
The stall owners had probably decided that hardly anyone would be interested in buying flowers on a day like this. And just when James was about to lose hope, he noticed that one of the corner shops was still open. With a heart full of joy, James parked the car by the roadside and went inside…
The pavilion smelled pleasantly of freshly imported roses, tulips, and mimosas. After all, it was the end of February on the calendar, which meant there were just under two weeks until International Women’s Day. The saleswoman turned out to be a very kind girl who quickly helped James make the bouquet he needed.
The businessman’s heart sang with excitement. It was understandable. A romantic evening awaited him with his beloved, who eagerly awaited his return.
James knew that Grace didn’t usually cook him dinner, knowing full well he could satisfy his hunger in a restaurant. He took trays of fruits and vegetables, champagne, and a couple of delicious dishes from Chef Frank, which he prepared wonderfully. When he got home, the businessman didn’t bother ringing the doorbell.
He decided to open it with his own key. As he walked out into the hallway, James heard soft music coming from the bedroom. Grace must be watching her series again, the businessman thought as he walked into the kitchen with his bags in his hands.
Thoughtfully, he left the bouquet in the living room to give to her later. With a delighted expression, James entered the bedroom, and his hand holding the bouquet accidentally fell, causing one of the roses to lose a couple of petals. Grace wasn’t in the bedroom.
Apparently, she’d left, leaving the TV on. But where did she go, especially in such a blizzard? What if something happened to her? She doesn’t feel safe behind the wheel. That’s a fact.
Of course, the car. I need to see if it’s in the garage. A frantic thought crossed his mind. Just as he left the bedroom, James heard an urgent local news broadcast about a foreign car that had fallen off a city bridge half an hour ago, driven by an inexperienced girl.
His heart raced. Oh my God, it’s Grace! Of course, who else? I even transferred money to her card to buy a new dress.
That’s why he decided to buy it. Jumping into the car, James took off like a madman. He raced toward the bridge.
The car skidded a couple of times on the curve, but James managed to control it. His experience and knowledge of his iron horse’s capabilities paid off. But Grace, she had barely begun to drive.
And why did he give her this gift? There were just under two miles to go before the bridge when James’s car skidded again. He slammed the brakes on, but it had no effect. For some inexplicable reason, the brakes failed, putting James in a life-threatening dilemma.
Turn the steering wheel and drive into the ditch or crash head-on into the small car parked on the side of the road. Of course, he chose the former and, after circling the mangled car several times, crashed into a tree. The last thing he remembered was the pungent smell of gasoline from the damaged tank, which only needed a spark to ignite it.
And now he lies in a hospital room, hearing the persistent beeping of life support machines and wondering what happened. Of course, James had already guessed he’d made a fatal mistake that night. And the girl who fell from the bridge into the river wasn’t Grace at all.
But when events move so quickly, reason can no longer help. Only then did he realize his wife had been reunited with her lover this whole time, whom she valued above all else in the world. And then there was the will.
True. How could he have forgotten? Grace herself had convinced him to write it a couple of months earlier. Back then, James hadn’t found it odd.
But in light of recent events, it took on a completely different and alarming aspect. The thought of such a blatant betrayal by his wife shook him deeply, preventing him from relaxing and accepting the situation as it was. Deciding to pretend he was in a coma, James squeezed his eyes shut so Grace wouldn’t notice any signs of life in him.
He could feel his wife’s piercing, hateful gaze, her hands itching to press a few buttons and disconnect him from the life-support machines. The temptation was so great that Grace’s hands literally trembled and her lips fused into a single straight line. The most painful thing for him was not being able to stop his wife from carrying out her plan.
The danger was so close that he felt the breath of death on his neck again. Fortunately, the sound of high heels echoed on the cement floor, forcing Grace to hastily retreat. A minute later, the familiar voice of the attending physician rang out in the room.
Oh, come in. It’s simply mind-blowing. She’s ready to bury him alive, you know?
And why marry those vipers? Dr. Merritt’s interlocutor paused, then replied, “What’s so surprising about that? They say this patient owns a fancy restaurant in the city and even made a will.” From the tone of her voice, James immediately understood that she was a nurse. At that moment, Dr. Merritt approached James’s bed almost at once and remarked aloud, “That’s strange.”
Some sensors are disabled, Erica. There’s probably some fault. We need to call a specialist.
Let him see what’s going on. However, it takes time for a patient to come out of a coma. I’m sure he’ll survive against all odds and prove that a miracle in a case like this is very possible…
Erica nodded and, following the departing doctor with her eyes, began manipulating the capricious sensors. But before she could turn one on, James whispered softly, “Water, give me water.” The nurse was startled by the unexpected; she almost jumped on the spot.
So you’re already awake, why didn’t you tell them? James gathered what strength he had left and whispered, “Please don’t tell anyone I’ve regained consciousness. Of course, we won’t be able to fool the attending physician, but let it be a secret, at least for today.” Erica reflected.
The patient’s request sounded very strange, although considering his wife’s behavior, it no longer seemed out of the ordinary, especially since James had just asked him to keep it a secret. “Okay, I’ll do my best, but he still can’t drink. The most I can do is moisten your lips,” Erica whispered to the patient.
James closed his eyes tiredly, realizing the nurse was right. Five minutes later, a damp cotton ball soaked in water touched his lips, containing much-needed hydration. Trying to quench his thirst, even a little, James gently parted his lips to squeeze the cotton ball, filled with the precious liquid.
Naturally, it was very little, but James didn’t insist. The important thing was to survive and not get burned in the burning car. While James mulled the matter over, Erica started an IV drip to nourish him.
Tears of gratitude glimmered in James’s eyes as he saw how caring she was and how she tried to help no matter what. No, they won’t keep my will or my inheritance. I will definitely recover, and I won’t give Grace a penny in the divorce.
He thought, increasingly convinced of the justice of her words. Struggling to swallow the lump forming in his throat, James closed his eyes and drifted off into a sweet sleep. At the same time, the nurse entered his attending physician’s office and told him everything as it was.
Dr. Merritt listened silently, understanding that her subordinate wanted to do what was best and wasn’t pursuing personal interests. “Well, I won’t tell his wife that there is progress in his treatment. If I were in her place, I would be praying day and night for my husband’s recovery.”
But this witch only thinks about seizing her inheritance. Thank you for being attentive and doing a good job, Erica. A spark of joy shone in the nurse’s eyes.
It wasn’t that she found James particularly attractive. It was just that the desire to help overcame everything. At the same time, Grace appeared at the restaurant and began to set her own rules.
Naturally bright red, she resembled a fury that swept away everything in its path. Taking advantage of the fact that her husband had been in a coma for three weeks, Grace decided to take control of the establishment. Her cold, stern gaze pierced each employee, harboring genuine indifference and contempt for their personalities.
The head chef was the first to receive a reprimand, a reprimand, and a fine for preparing dishes with overly expensive ingredients. “Mrs. Williams? But not so. It’s long been known that the quality of the ingredients influences the final result,” the man protested.
The businesswoman’s cheeks flushed with anger. Don’t even think about answering me back. Do you hear me? And anyway, from now on, I’ll make the decisions.
If you don’t like it, go work at a roadside diner. Your talents will be more useful there. Okay, Ms. Williams, I understand.
The head chef said sadly, lowering his head. Andrew smirked. He liked the new manager much more than the old one.
James had been kind and attentive, while Grace preferred a more aggressive approach to running the restaurant. Approaching her, like a jackal in the middle of a lion’s feast, the manager commented, “Ms. Williams, if I may suggest, for added impact, that you consider using hidden surveillance cameras.” Grace looked at Andrew in surprise, clearly showing affection for him.
And there are cameras here? The manager smirked. Of course, how else could that be true? Mr. Williams didn’t like watching the videos and only used them in cases of extreme necessity. Most of the time, the cameras are simply turned off.
But after the boss’s accident, I’m leaving them on. You can tell right away when someone is in their element, unlike my dear husband’s negligent management. But those tricks don’t work for me.
“Well done, Andrew. Your idea with the cameras is simply invaluable,” Grace exclaimed, eliciting a satisfied smile from the manager. A few minutes later, Grace started recording and leaned over to monitor the staff’s every move…
At first, she didn’t see anything interesting. The waitresses bustled through the hallway. The head chef commanded the kitchen, and the waiter greeted customers at the entrance.
Everything was going as usual until Grace saw yesterday’s recording of a young dishwasher carrying a bulky bag. Look at her, how clever. What could she possibly be carrying in such a bag? She probably empties the refrigerator before leaving and takes everything home.
And all this right under my naive husband’s nose. After observing Emma more closely, Grace decided to catch her red-handed. Let’s see how you sing when I corner you.
Unfortunately, poor Emma had no idea she’d been under close surveillance for some time. Time was passing too slowly, approaching the inevitable turning point. At the end of her shift, Emma grabbed some leftovers the head chef had approved and headed for the exit.
She’d done this before, ever since James had allowed her to take home some of the uneaten dishes. But today, at first, everything took a different turn. Seeing Emma clutching a canvas bag, Grace triumphantly approached the door and said, “So where do you think you’re going, darling? Grab a bag full of goodies and then just leave my restaurant?” Emma shuddered and looked at the hostess with a tormented look, genuine sadness and despair evident in her eyes.
I’m sorry, Ms. Williams, but I haven’t stolen anything. It’s just leftovers, you know, the ones that were paid for but left untouched by the customers. The businesswoman sneered contemptuously.
Untouched, you say? And who decides? Will it be you, darling? You seem to have made a good deal. What do we have here? Oh, a Caesar salad! Too bad, only half of it.
But that doesn’t change the essence. You’re quite the gourmet, my dear. Emma’s eyes filled with tears.
The last thing she expected was for the odious heiress to turn everything upside down so easily. “Oh, please don’t cry, okay? Your crocodile tears are of no use to me, do you understand? Once you lose your job, you can shed them every minute if you want,” Grace commented somewhat harshly. Emma sobbed sadly and began rummaging through her purse.
What made it even more upsetting was that just half an hour earlier she had paid for these dishes with her future salary. Now she was facing dismissal on charges of theft she didn’t commit. Oh, looks like we’ve caught a fish in the net!
And the last name matches, Fisher. And you were still waiting for the boss, the approaching manager commented. Grace exchanged a meaningful look with Andrew and continued scolding Emma.
But I didn’t take it for myself. It was for the children, the woman pleaded. Oh, don’t scare me with your family drama.
I don’t care how many you have. Three, four, or five. It’s your business.
“You gave birth to them. Take care of them yourself,” Grace snapped bitterly. “She only has two of her own and two more from her husband’s first marriage,” the manager added gently.
They’re all mine. And as for what my husband left behind, let that be on his conscience.” Now he’s in jail, caught stealing.
He thought the children would help him reduce his sentence. “But I got his rights revoked,” Emma murmured through tears. But Grace remained impassive.
Honestly, what Grace needed right now was a scapegoat to show her power to others. Emma, who had the misfortune of being caught in the crossfire, became that. “And you, Fisher? Well, you’re fired.”
“You can go wherever you want,” Grace concluded, pointing at the door. Despair froze in Emma’s eyes. But how was that possible? Could they really dismiss her like an unwanted stray dog? The administrator, for his part, didn’t want to be left out in the cold and did his part…
Oh, and I almost forgot, Fisher, don’t count on your salary. You understand the money will go toward compensating for the damages. The news was a devastating blow to Emma.
Realizing she’d been duped by everyone who could, she stepped outside and exposed her flushed cheeks to the icy wind. Seeing this, Henry couldn’t help himself and leaned closer. “Shh, darling, don’t cry.”
Don’t worry, darling. You know Andrew is in favor right now. That’s why he does whatever he wants.
And when Mr. Williams recovers, his reign will come to an end. And so you don’t run out of money, I’ll allocate a portion of my pension to you. You can repay it when you can.
“There’s no rush,” the caretaker said, embracing the frail woman by the shoulders. “Thank you, Henry, for your support and protection. You see, I was counting on this money so much, and then this happened.”
We’re struggling with the children in a rented apartment, and the landlady keeps raising the rent, saying you’re receiving child benefits so you don’t run out of money. Emma responded, holding back tears. The old man shook his head.
He felt sorry for Emma, to say the least. Such a good, calm, diligent colleague who never speaks ill of anyone. She washes dishes up to her elbows in hot water, and that’s it.
And this Andrew, the manager, is a first-class troublemaker. Henry remembered him from his job at the institute, where he had been a crafts teacher for over 40 years. So this Andrew, as a student, behaved with extreme insolence, humiliating those who were poorer than him or physically weaker.
Henry once tried to shame Andrew, but to no avail. And then, one dark night, the craft workshops caught fire. Many blamed Henry, saying he didn’t put out his cigarette properly, but he had never smoked in his life and always observed fire safety precautions.
The mystery was solved by Andrew, who had, in fact, started a fire with a group of teenage friends. Mitrish couldn’t prove anything at the time and was subsequently fired from the school with a corresponding note on his record. Overall, the dismissal didn’t bother the arts and crafts teacher too much, as by then he was officially retired and clearly had nothing left to do.
Seventeen years after the incident, by a twist of fate, Andrew and the elderly janitor crossed paths again, albeit now in very different roles. Of course, Andrew pretended not to recognize his former teacher, but Henry Brooks was no fool and had seen too much in life to take him at face value. Nevertheless, she was attracted to James: honest, kind, fair, just as he should be.
Grabbing the money Henry had given her, Emma slowly made her way to the bus stop to catch the one she needed on time. The memory of the recent blizzard loomed over both sides of the road, with gray, dirty mounds of snow that had fallen several weeks ago. Deep in somber thoughts, Emma trudged down the street when she suddenly heard a muffled murmur.
It turned out she hadn’t managed to get far enough away from the restaurant, so she turned around quickly, thinking Henry was following her to say something, but there was no one behind Emma. A rather fresh frost lingered, brushing her nose and rosy cheeks, as if courting the attractive woman. The mysterious sound repeated itself, and Emma realized it was coming from the nearest snowdrift.
Realizing that someone clearly needed help, she cautiously approached and froze in shock. There lay a man with a bloody head, groaning softly and unconscious in the dirty gray snow. Emma’s first thought was that the stranger had simply drunk too much and fallen, hitting his head, but as she leaned over the young man, she immediately realized that he was completely sober…
Without a second thought, Emma lifted the unfortunate man under the armpits and tried to lift him to his feet. Little by little, he was regaining consciousness, indicating that the initial shock of the injury was wearing off. Damn it, how could this happen? “You bastards, don’t touch Jack!” the man muttered deliriously.
Meanwhile, Emma, hunched under the weight of the stranger’s body, led him to Henry’s shed. Thinking the injured man was simply delirious, she tried to ignore his mutterings and persevered toward her destination. The man she had rescued was undoubtedly a homeless man and could have frozen on the street in that freezing cold.
Seeing Emma blushing, Henry understood everything without words. He took the man from the other side and, with Emma’s help, quickly laid him down on the cot that had once been a folding sofa. “Well, he’s better now.
Let’s treat his head wound.” He’ll probably recover soon. Henry sighed with relief, taking bandages, cotton, and antiseptic out of the first-aid kit.
Can you handle that? Shouldn’t we call an ambulance? Emma asked anxiously, but the janitor shook his head. “No, dear, there’s no need. Why distract people from more important work? When I was young, I wanted to be a doctor, but I failed the entrance exams. Then I studied medicine for a year and a half and decided to become a nurse, but even then I had no luck.
So I had to become a laborer, Emma. But I know how to give first aid, so don’t worry. The boy is tough and knows what he’s doing.
He’ll pull through, no doubt.” Emma’s face immediately lit up with a sweet smile as the injured man opened his eyes and began turning his head from side to side, trying to understand where he was. “Easy, friend, easy.”
I don’t recommend you make any sudden movements right now. Just lie down and come to your senses. Do you even remember your name? Henry asked cautiously.
The guy forced a smile. Of course I do. Connor, that’s my name, Sawyer.
The last name. He got beaten up because of a dog. These rich kids wanted to have fun with the victim and chose the dog.
Jack, he’s a stray, you know. He’s stationed near the meat pavilion; he’s not afraid of people. So when I saw this viciousness, I ran to help him immediately.
I knocked two of them into the snow, but the third, the idiot, hit me on the head with something. Henry nodded sympathetically. Yeah, these things happen.
Don’t worry. Stay here as long as you need. I have firewood and a small stove.
You’ll be as comfortable as possible. Connor looked gratefully at Emma, who didn’t pass by and helped him through his difficult time. Glancing at his watch, he sighed sadly.
Well, looks like I’ll have to take a taxi. That’s all my savings! I already missed the bus.
Connor sniffed guiltily and turned to the wall. Then, feeling it was his fault, the homeless man said, “Forgive me, for God’s sake. I didn’t mean for it to end like this.”
I’ve been having a lot of adventures lately. Three weeks ago, I pulled a rich guy from a burning car. You might have heard about it.
It was quite a noisy incident. Emma paled and involuntarily looked at her palm, remembering what happened to her during the revelation about Mr. William’s future. “We heard, Connor…”
That was the owner of the restaurant, you know? Well, the one where Emma and I worked,” Henry answered for both of them. “We don’t work there anymore.”
At least I don’t. Emma immediately corrected him. The guy shook his head sadly and grimaced.
His neck was stiff, and any sudden movement sent him into spasms. “Easy there, buddy. Don’t worry.”
And for James, for saving our friend, you deserve a special thanks. James was a very good person and probably still is,” the janitor corrected. “I just happened to be there.”
It’s not really my territory. You see, we homeless people divide everything by districts, by yards. If you step on someone else’s territory, they’ll crack your ribs right away, so you won’t want to come back.
But there I saw it: an accident, and a column of smoke rising from it. People were running, moaning, but no one was running to save the man. The gas tank could have exploded at any moment, the homeless man began his story.
Henry looked at his interlocutor with undisguised respect. Deep down, he had long since come to the conclusion that Connor was a good man. Otherwise, would he have rushed to defend a stray dog? Unlikely.
Connor took a deep breath and continued touching the wound on his temple with his fingers. As soon as I saw someone could be burned alive, I ran straight to the car. I smashed the glass with a paving stone and started to pull him out.
And everywhere there was noise, chaos, people shouting that the gas tank would soon explode. It was true, but you can’t leave the driver alone. Anyway, I managed it, dragged him about ten meters, and then he exploded.
You, my friend, are a true hero. Throw yourself into the fire for our James! Henry said sadly. Emma looked fondly at the rescued boy and was surprised to realize that all this didn’t seem to be a coincidence.
Connor saved James. She saved Connor. After that, it was hard to believe in coincidences.
Since Emma couldn’t wait any longer, she called a taxi and went home, where four starving children were waiting for her: Nathan, Anna, Peter, and Emily. At the same time, James lay in a hospital bed, slowly regaining consciousness.
Of course, he still had little strength left and could barely hold a spoon and fork. Erica and Dr. Merritt kept their word and skillfully deceived Grace for about five days, who had decided to take her husband off the ventilators and claim her rightful inheritance. On the fifth day, James called Erica and asked for help with another plan.
I need to go away for a little while, do you understand? The nurse looked at him incredulously, wondering if he was joking. He had been out of his coma less than a week ago, and now he was planning to escape. No, James, excuse me, but I won’t take that responsibility.
What if something happens to you? What do I do then? “Submit to court,” Erica objected. Desperation froze in James’s eyes. “Well, help me be human, will you? I’ll sign any document you want to understand the consequences and release the clinic from all liability.”
Erica shook her head, though secretly she understood that she couldn’t refuse the patient. Grace had been too nasty to her, rushing to get rid of her husband, not hesitating in her choice of means and accomplices. “Okay, I agree, but only if we go together, okay? It’ll be more peaceful for both of us.”
Right at night, a couple of hours before lights-out, the nurse suggested and received an immediate affirmative answer. Truth be told, James found it much more comfortable, as he still didn’t walk as confidently as before and could lose his balance at any moment. Okay, Erica, but let’s keep it between us…
Not even Dr. Merritt should know, so no one finds out, the businessman pleaded, looking into her eyes with hope. Erica nodded and began preparing everything necessary for the escape, taking emergency medication with her and borrowing a cane from one of the clinic’s patients. Meanwhile, James lay in bed, gathering strength for the plan he’d been considering for several days.
Remembering Emma, the businessman couldn’t hold back his tears. My God, she was right from the start. She said it so clearly that I, the naive one, didn’t believe her.
Now I’m paying for my carelessness. Yes, grace is something special too. She took a lover and set her sights on my assets.
Well, I’ll settle the score with her, that’s for sure, although not with the same barbaric methods she used, the businessman thought desperately, closing his eyes and pretending to be a man in a coma. Time stretched like rubber, and when Erica finally appeared in the living room with clean clothes, James realized there was no turning back. Here, get dressed.
These are my ex-husband’s things. We’ve been divorced for a long time, but he never bothered to take them. “I think they’ll fit you,” Erica explained with a smile.
James changed as quickly as he could, staggering from exhaustion, and followed the nurse. The injuries from the accident were clearly taking their toll on him, forcing him to stop every 100 meters to catch his breath. It’s worth mentioning that Erica understood his weakness.
She did her best to support him, minimizing his time away. She also hired a private driver who wasn’t in a hurry or asked unnecessary questions. Meeting a tired client, holding a wooden stick, upon arriving at his house, James felt overwhelming anxiety, the drumbeat echoing in his ears.
Erica looked at him with concern, but it was too late to back out. Now James was obliged to finish what he had started. Only then would his efforts be justified and no one would doubt his propriety and appropriateness.
Getting out of the car, shivering in the cold wind, she approached the door. She had the keys, as she had them with her, along with her wallet and smartphone at the time of the accident. Inserting the key into the lock, James tried to turn it, but realized it clearly didn’t fit.
Did Grace change them? I must say she quickly adapted to the new reality. James whispered, putting the useless key back in his pocket and ringing the doorbell. Instantly, the cheerful trill of a familiar melody filled the air.
Erica stood a little apart, patiently waiting for the outcome. Soon, footsteps were heard from deep within the house, and the door burst open, revealing the robust figure of James’s wife’s lover, wearing James’s bathrobe. This bathrobe had been a birthday gift from James’s late mother, and this idiot wore it without any remorse.
Stunned by such audacity, the businessman froze, challenging his lover with his gaze. “Who’s there, darling? I hope it’s not the restroom again. But I already paid for everything in advance for a month so we could relax at the resort…”
Grace’s languid voice came from behind the stranger. James paled and clenched his fists in pain. Grace understood everything instantly and, unashamed by her lover’s presence, knelt.
James, please forgive me. It’s not what you think, I swear. I thought you only had a few days left.
The doctor didn’t give a prognosis, and miracles don’t exist. Or do they, darling? James gritted his teeth and said through gritted teeth, “I’ll give you five minutes to gather your things and leave this house.” Grace’s lover squared his strong shoulders and looked mockingly at the homeowner.
Listen, you unfinished businessman, go get treated and don’t interfere with the lives of normal people. It’s a shame you didn’t crash then. James gripped the handle of his cane so tightly his fingers turned white.
You won’t have to wait, bastard. You thought you’d buried me alive, but I survived against all odds, and I’m sure the accident was a setup. I’ll make sure to find out the truth.
At this mention, the abuser immediately became dejected and, sadly, went deeper into the house to change. The fairy tale of a rainbow relationship with Grace ended as abruptly as it began, and now it was time for revenge for everything that had happened. Of course, James couldn’t prove Grace’s involvement in the accident, but instead, he deprived her of her livelihood and blocked all her cards and accounts. There was a time when James had brought her out of provincial anonymity, doing everything he could to make her feel like a businesswoman.
But after such a betrayal, she couldn’t forgive the traitor. Long ago, he saved Grace from criminal prosecution for a fraud she supposedly didn’t commit. In reality, she was a hardened criminal only looking to enrich herself.
Now, due to new circumstances, James called the investigator again and told him that his ex-wife’s case needed to be reinvestigated. Upon hearing this, Grace grabbed a heavy vase to hit her husband on the head, but Erica was alert and stopped the con man’s hand in time. At the same time, several patrol cars approached the house, and plainclothes officers, armed to the teeth, departed.
For Grace and her lover, it was all over. James, on the other hand, looked sadly at his handcuffed ex-wife and collapsed from exhaustion. Perhaps if Erica hadn’t been there, he would have slipped back into a coma, but instead, he gently collapsed to the floor, held in the young nurse’s caring hands.
James no longer heard the roar of the ambulance and woke up the next morning, startled by muffled voices. But this time, it wasn’t his wife discussing her will with her lover. It was his loyal and trusted friends: the janitor Henry, the dishwasher Emma, and the homeless man Connor.
Upon closer inspection, the businessman immediately recognized the street hero who had pulled him from the burning car, wishing to remain anonymous. Hugging Emma by the shoulders, Connor hesitantly explained that he had decided to disappear for fear of attracting too much attention. As he listened to Connor, James thought he definitely wanted to see him as the manager of his restaurant, a sentiment shared by Emma, who had earned a promotion to waitress or even kitchen assistant thanks to her hard work.
However, she could choose whatever she needed. In any case, James was willing to grant any wish. But first, he wanted to publicly confess his feelings for Erica, which had burned in his heart throughout all her recent ordeals.
Tears glistened in the nurse’s eyes, and her response drew a burst of applause from everyone present. “Yes, I agree, but please, from now on, stay away from hospitals,” she said. Connor smiled and, subtly winking at Emma, hinted unequivocally that he sympathized with the young entrepreneur and was ready to be a father to her four children—or maybe even five, who knows.
If there was mutual respect and love, everything else would fall into place: weddings, pregnancies, and the joyful laughter of children.
