Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 101764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
I glanced at my mother, who seemed near catatonic at this point. She didn’t respond, so I stepped forward and held out my hand. “Yes, I’m Ryder, his son. And this is my mother, his wife, Sylvia. My sister is out of town, but I’m sure she’ll be coming straight back.” God, had my mom even called Vera?
Dr. Travers shook my hand. “Very nice to meet you, though I’m sorry about the circumstances.”
“Thank you.”
“Mr. Calloway suffered an embolic stroke, which means a blood clot in his brain restricted blood flow, causing damage. We currently have him sedated to give his brain a rest and plan to remove the breathing tube in the next few days. Until then, we won’t know the extent of the effects.”
While I appreciated her no-nonsense competence, my head felt too stunned to process what she was saying. Later, I would probably think of a hundred questions, but for now, only one came to mind. “What do you mean, the effects?”
She nodded. “So, we can see on CT imaging that he experienced a profound stroke. Based on where the damage is, we can expect significant weakness or possible paralysis to his right side. He will most likely have difficulty speaking, which we call aphasia, and some level of cognitive impairment. It’s impossible to know the severity until he’s awake, and our speech, occupational, and physical therapists can then evaluate him. I will say, though, he most likely has a long road of recovery ahead of him. This is not to scare you, but I do want you to have realistic expectations.”
Paralysis?
Aphasia?
Cognitive impairment?
Did that mean he wouldn’t be able to walk and talk? What about feeding himself? Or even going to the bathroom on his own?
I wanted to ask, but was too terrified to hear the answer.
“I know this is extremely overwhelming. I’m going to give you guys a chance to process and think of some questions for me. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
She disappeared as quickly as she’d appeared. Maybe she wasn’t the warmest and fuzziest when it came to her bedside manner, but I’d take her straight talk over coddling any day.
In a move that shocked me, my mom shot up from her chair and rushed over to me. She grabbed my arms and gave me a little shake. “The VanBuren merger,” she said, voice panicked.
“What?”
“Your father was in the final stages of a huge merger with VB Corp.”
“Okay, well, clearly, it will have to be put on hold.” Why was she even thinking of business at a time like this?
“No.” She shook me again. “Your father wouldn’t want that. You know how important his work is to him.”
Did I ever. “Screw work. Mom, he’s not even conscious.”
Acrylic nails dug into my skin through my thin sweater as she clutched me tight. “No, please, Ryder, you have to take over for him.”
“What?” My jaw hit the floor, and I took a step back from her, shaking my head.
She pulled me back to her. “Please,” she said, tears falling from her eyes. “You have to do this for him. He needs to know his company is taken care of while he recovers. It’s the only thing he’ll care about when he wakes up.”
I scoffed. Pretty sure he’d want to be able to stand and shit on his own. I managed to keep those words in. She was probably right. All he’d care about was if his money grew while he was lying unconscious in a hospital.
“Please, Ryder. He needs you right now. You need to run the company for him while he is unable to do so. I’m begging you. You’re his only son.”
School would start in a few weeks. I was supposed to begin a new path, one I’d set for myself based on my own goals and desires, not those my parents laid out for me. We hadn’t had a conversation about my switch to a master’s degree in education, but my father must have told her about our blowup. My stomach turned over. I couldn’t, didn’t want to say yes.
“Ryder, it’s time to stop playing around.” Her voice shifted from that of a devastated wife to the socialite who made headlines with her lavish lifestyle. “We’ve let you be selfish long enough. It’s time to grow up and do what your family needs. You need to step up and take your father’s place until he is well again.”
I stared down at her fresh tears. Were they for my father or for the fear of losing her status as the top one percent?
Or was she right?
Would it be selfish of me to step away from my father’s business to pursue my dreams at this time?
Fuck, I wished Alex was with me.
CHAPTER TWENTY- EIGHT
ALEX
After Ryder disappeared behind the ICU double doors, I lowered into the stiff chair with my heart in my throat. In a matter of minutes, our roles had reversed entirely. Ryder kept me sane all morning, and with one phone call, his world exploded.