The Royal Contract

But when he arrived at the hospital, Dani was still on her way. She was caught in unexpected traffic but would be shortly joining them. He did not mind since he wished to discuss something with Ethan.

“Good morning, Ethan.” He immediately greeted his father-in-law when he entered the room, seeing Ethan silently sitting on his bed. “It is nice to see that you are finally awake.”

However, Alex did not anticipate seeing Gerald laughing with Laura on the other side of the room. His mother-in-law seemed to be growing at ease with her stepson.

Not that he had anything against that, but he could not trust a man like Gerald. He believed this man had something planned against them. He was not ready to let his guard down around him.

“It is also great to see you, Alex.” Ethan greeted, but his head seemed to be staring past him. He could only surmise that he must be waiting for Dani to enter the room.

“Where is Dani?” It was Laura who finally asked, finally noticing his arrival.

.....

She stood up and walked toward him, giving him a hug and a motherly kiss on his cheeks. Gerald also followed and offered his hand as greetings.

“She is on her way.” He answered but only nodded at Gerald without touching his hand.

He turned his attention back to Ethan, looking in their direction, not speaking but observing the exchange. If Ethan was back to his old self, he would not have missed that little exchange and would be asking him about it later.

“Well, I am happy to see you.” Laura continued as she returned to her seat, and so did their new darling son.

He could see that Ethan might be smiling, but he was still in pain. He was trying hard to hide it, maybe for Laura’s benefit. But he feared that it was worse than what it was.

“I am happy that you are smiling again.” Alex countered, even if the cause of that smile was Gerald.

He was concerned that she had been so stressed out by this event that she might find it hard to recover from depression.

On the other hand, he could see in Gerald’s facade and those fake smiles that he was up to no good. Gerald had shown his true colors to him, but he seemed to be playing with the rest of the family with his good boy act.

He could only wonder what he was planning next. But he would prepare for him. He would not stand by and watch him destroy this family because of his twisted vendetta against his father.

“Well, Gerald has been entertaining us with his childhood stories,” Laura explained as she giggled again, probably remembering something funny.

“I am happy to hear that.” But Alex was not buying any of his act. “How are you feeling?” He finally shifted to the patient, who sat quietly on the bed.

“As expected, like I am in hell,” Ethan whispered as Alex leaned forward toward him. Presumably, he did not want his wife to hear his complaints.

Then, he smiled again when Laura turned in their direction. It could not be easy to pretend everything was good when he felt like a truck ran down on him.

“Do you need anything?” Alex asked again, hoping that he could at least alleviate his pain.

He moved closer and touched his arms, assuring him that he was there to help. But Ethan only shook his head, no. He guessed the doctors had already given him what was needed.

“Did I miss a family reunion?” Dani walked into the room, straight to his side. But her eyes did not miss the other man in the room. “I am happy to see you here... Gerald.” It took her a few seconds before she decided what she should call her brother. “Mom.” But instead of going to her, she just blew her a kiss.

At the moment, her priority seemed to be with her father as she leaned forward to kiss him on his forehead. “How are you feeling?” She asked concernedly, holding firmly on to his hand.

“As of now, I need a machine to answer that damn question, again and again,” Ethan answered philosophically, rolling his eyes to his daughter, which was understandable. Everyone who visited him must have the same questions over and over again.

He could not help but smile at his answer. “He must be tired of answering that question. But he seemed fine.” Alex decided to answer his wife instead. He could tell that Ethan was avoiding the question.

“You should be grateful that many cared enough to want to know how you are feeling,” Dani responded with a tender smile, relieved that her father was back to his old self.

But he could only wonder if he was indeed getting better. He was afraid that this might be a temporary thing. The eye between an enormous storm, just waiting to make its devastation.

But he still hoped he was wrong from what he was reading about the situation. He still needed Ethan in his plans. He was the only person who could help him in the choices he had to make for his future and his family.

“I am very grateful that my only daughter, my two sons, and my darling wife are here. That is all I need.” Ethan enveloped his daughter’s hand in his and pulled it to his lips to kiss it.

Alex was happy to see his wife smiling at her father’s effort. But when he turned slightly in the other direction, he saw Gerald was also looking at them with a grim expression, but he quickly smiled when Laura spoke.

“We only want you to get better.” Laura stood up from her seat and walked toward them.

Laura settled on the other side of the bed, across from them. Soon, even Gerald walked and stayed at her side. To an outsider, they looked like a perfect family.

But he knew better when one was rotten and was about to destroy the entire bunch. But how could he tell Ethan about his son when he seemed to carry a heavier burden than him.