CHAPTER 31

The next morning, Ralph was home. It was a weekend. As he sipped his coffee, his phone rang, breaking the silence of the early hour. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw it was his mother, Sauna so he quickly picked up the call.

"Hello, Mum," Ralph greeted.

"Ralph, it's your father," Sauna's voice trembled, filled with tears. "He’s in critical condition."

Ralph was surprised. "What happened? Is he okay?"

"He fell on his way to the bathroom two weeks ago," Sauna explained between sobs. "We rushed him to the hospital, but the doctors haven’t been able to revive him. He’s breathing very slightly, but they said he has a very slim chance of living and could die at any moment."

Ralph felt a wave of shock and sorrow wash over him. His father, Jaden, had always been a strong and imposing figure, the backbone of their family and the empire he had built. Even though him and his father were not currently in good terms, to imagine him in such a vulnerable state was heartbreaking.

"I’m coming over right now," Ralph said with his voice firm despite the tumult of emotions within him.

After hanging up, Ralph quickly informed Nina about the situation. She offered to go with him, but he insisted she stay home and rest, considering her own condition.

As Ralph drove to the hospital, memories of his father flashed through his mind—the good times, the conflicts, and everything in between. Despite their recent estrangement, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of love and duty towards Jaden.

When he arrived at the hospital, he rushed to the intensive care unit where his father was being treated. He found his mother, Sauna, sitting outside the room, looking frail and weary.

"Mum," Ralph called softly as he approached her.

Sauna looked up, her eyes red from crying. She stood up and hugged him tightly. "Oh, Ralph, I’m so glad you’re here."

"How is he?" Ralph asked, glancing at the door to his father's room.

Sauna shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "He’s barely hanging on. The doctors have done everything they can, but it’s out of their hands now."

Ralph took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Can I see him?"

Sauna nodded, leading him to the door. "Of course. He needs all the support he can get."

Inside the room, the atmosphere was somber. The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound, indicating Jaden’s faint, struggling heartbeat. Ralph walked slowly to the bedside. He was unhappy at the sight of his father so helpless and vulnerable.

The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was the only indication that his father still held on to life. Sauna, Ralph's mother, sat on the other side, her eyes red and puffy from hours of crying.

A gentle knock on the door broke the silence. Dr. Harrison, the attending physician, entered the room with a somber expression. "Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Thompson, may I have a word with you?" he asked softly.

Ralph nodded and followed the doctor into the hallway. Sauna trailed behind, her steps heavy with worry. Dr. Harrison closed the door gently and faced them with a grave look.

"I’m afraid there’s nothing more we can do here at the hospital," Dr. Harrison began.

"We’ve done everything possible, but your husband’s condition is beyond our capabilities. We’re going to discharge him."

Sauna gasped, covering her mouth with her hand. "But... but there has to be something!" she cried.

Dr. Harrison shook his head. "I’m truly sorry. The best we can do now is to keep him comfortable at home. It’s time for you to take him back."

Ralph felt a cold knot of pain tighten in his stomach. "Thank you, Doctor," he managed to say.

The ride home was silent. Ralph’s mind raced with thoughts of his father’s vast, undisclosed investments. If Jaden died without revealing them, the family could lose everything he had worked so hard for. And the promise Jaden had made to hand over those secret investments to whichever one of his children whom he chose still hung in the air, unfulfilled.

When they arrived home, they gently transferred Jaden to his bed. Sauna busied herself, trying to make him comfortable, while Ralph stood by.

As Ralph watched his father’s shallow breaths, Sauna’s phone rang. She picked it up, her voice a mere whisper. "Hello?"

The voice on the other end was a lifeline in their darkest hour. "Sauna, it’s Martha. I heard about your husband's health. I’m so sorry, but I have some good news. There are two renowned professors of medicine here in Doxel City. They are brilliant and have worked miracles before. I believe they can help Jaden. They can come to your house, but you’ll need to be ready to pay them."

Sauna’s eyes lit up with hope. "Really? Thank you, Martha! Please, can you arrange for them to come as soon as possible?"

After hanging up, Sauna turned to Ralph, her face aglow with newfound hope. "Ralph, did you hear that? There are two professors who might be able to save your father!"

Ralph felt a flicker of hope in his chest. "That’s wonderful news, Mum. Let’s do whatever it takes to get them here."

Within hours, Martha had arranged for the professors to visit. Dr. Elaine Brooks and Dr. Harold Patel arrived that evening, bringing a sense of calm and authority with them. They were both in their late fifties, with a wealth of experience etched into their kind eyes.

"Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Thompson," Dr. Brooks greeted them warmly. "We’ve been briefed on your husband’s condition. Let’s see what we can do."

The two doctors examined Jaden thoroughly, their expressions focused and serious. They consulted with each other in hushed tones, occasionally glancing at Jaden in disbelief.
CHAPTER 32