Chapter 56 Ms. Taylor Had a Sudden Stroke
After getting back to the apartment, Lila had dinner ready and was waiting for me.
We were chatting over our meal when my phone rang again. It was Theo. A bad feeling hit me as I picked up.
Theo's voice was frantic, "Ms. Cooper, thank goodness you answered. You need to get to the hospital right away; Ms. Taylor's in critical condition."
My mind went blank. Mia was fine when I left the office this afternoon, and now she's in the hospital? My heart pounded like it was about to jump out of my chest. I regretted our argument earlier and storming out. If I hadn't stormed out, if I had just listened to Mia, considered the company's perspective, maybe none of this would have happened.
Seeing me in shock after the call, Lila asked what was wrong. My throat felt tight, and I couldn't get a word out. I just knew I had to get to the hospital. Too shaken to drive, I was grateful Lila could. We raced to the ER.
Theo was pacing in the hallway. Seeing the red light above the emergency room door, my hands clenched into fists. My body shook with fear and anxiety. Every second felt like forever. I just wanted the door to open so I could see Mia. I prayed the doctor would come out and say she was okay. I wished I hadn't argued with her; maybe she wouldn't be in this situation. Tears of regret streamed down my face as I silently prayed for her safety.
With Mason gone early, Mia had been my rock. She was strict but loved me fiercely. She was there for every big moment in my life, from my teenage years to my coming-of-age ceremony, always with gentle but firm support.
Memories of Mia flashed through my mind like a movie. I couldn't imagine my life without her.
I had tried so many times to get Mia to stop running the company. If we sold Mason's shares, she could live a life ten or a hundred times better than others. But Mia was stubborn, and even I, her closest daughter, couldn't understand her. I worried about my lawyer friends when David dissolved the law firm, but I never thought about what would happen to the thousands of employees at the Cooper Group if Mia didn't keep running it. Now, I finally got it. Mia was truly a force of nature.
I collapsed on the hallway floor, filled with regret. From Theo and Lila's conversation, I pieced together what had happened to Mia. After I left, Mia, not one to give up easily, called Clara to plead for me, hoping Clara could put in a good word with Edward to save the company. Clara didn't flat-out refuse but told Mia she had no influence over company matters and not to get her hopes up. Mia kept calling, but no one picked up. When the Cooper Group's shareholders got wind of the situation, they stormed in demanding answers from Mia. Some even got physical. Under the immense stress, Mia fainted on the spot. Only then did the crowd back off, allowing Theo and a few execs to call an ambulance and rush her to the hospital.
Time dragged on as Mia fought for her life in the emergency room, and all I could do was wait. I wanted to scream, but I didn't know who to call. Thankfully, Lila was right there, holding my hand and gently patting my back to comfort me.
The emergency room door finally opened, and a doctor came out with a thick stack of papers. I rushed over, asking about Mia's condition. The doctor said she had a severe brain hemorrhage and was still in critical condition, asking if they should continue the rescue efforts.
My mind went blank, and I could only numbly respond, "Yes, save her, please."
The doctor, having gotten my okay, handed me the papers to sign. I didn't even read them, just signed my name over and over. Then he asked us to pay the fees and went back into the emergency room, closing the door behind him. My legs felt like lead, unable to move. Lila took the payment slip and went to handle the fees for me.
Theo handed me a bottle of water, but I shook my head; I couldn't drink anything right now. Just then, two familiar figures walked down the hallway.
"Mr. Wilson. Isn't that Mrs. Howard? Why is she sitting with a strange man?" I looked up to see David and Zara, forcing a weak smile.
David frowned. "Diana, what are you doing here? Who is this man?" Theo stood up to explain, but I tugged his sleeve, signaling him to sit back down.
"Mr. Wilson, why are you always following me? Do you have to track me to the hospital?" I was in a terrible mood and had no patience for David.
"Mrs. Howard, you misunderstand," Zara said bluntly. "Mr. Wilson is here to accompany me for a public service announcement shoot. We were just passing by and didn't expect to see you with this stranger. I wonder what Mr. Howard would think if he knew?" Zara raised her phone to take a picture.
"Stop it." David snatched Zara's phone away.
With Mia still in the emergency room, I didn't want to argue with Zara. I waved them off, asking them to leave.
Zara clung to David's arm, pouting. "Mr. Wilson, our shoot is about to start. Come with me!"
"Then go. Can you not walk on your own? Must you cling to me?" David said, but his eyes were fixed on me, not Zara.
Zara, sensing David's displeasure, left.
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