Aife stood at the edge of her office window, the city sprawling beneath her like an endless labyrinth. The light streaming in from the glass framed her silhouette, sharp and commanding. Her schedule was overflowing—meetings with clients, decisions about mergers, and updates on quarterly reports—but her mind, for once, strayed from the ticking deadlines. It wandered to the conversation at breakfast. To her mother's words. To Hazel's teasing smile.
She frowned. Sentimentality wasn't useful. It was better to leave mornings behind, along with all their emotional clutter. The ringing of her office phone dragged her back into the moment. She strode to her desk, her heels clicking softly against the polished wood floor. Picking up the receiver, she spoke in her usual clipped tone.
"Yes?"
"Miss Cadell, they've arrived," Lan said from the other end. Efficient as ever.
"I'll be down in three minutes."
The meeting room buzzed with activity as she entered. Managers adjusted their ties, assistants shuffled folders, and the intern—yes, the nervous one—looked like he was questioning his career choices. Aife moved through them all, taking her seat at the head of the table.
"What's the status on the campaign?" she asked, her voice cutting through the room like a blade.
As the team presented graphs and projections, she listened, each word filtering through her precise mind. Her replies were sharp, her questions even sharper. This wasn't a place for sentiment—it was a place for results.
Hours passed, and when the meeting finally concluded, Aife returned to her office. Sitting at her desk, she stared at the files spread before her. They were organized, perfectly so. Just like her life. Just like she had planned. Yet, somehow, she felt the edges closing in—her mother's plea echoing in her head, her cousin's teasing tone following her like a shadow.
The sound of knuckles against glass jolted her back to the present.
Lan stood at the door. "Miss Cadell, Hazel has been trying to reach you for over an hour."
Aife didn't look up immediately. "And you didn't answer?"
"No, ma'am. I thought you would prefer to handle it yourself."
She reached for her phone, dialed Hazel's number, and leaned back in her chair. The moment the call connected, she spoke.
"What is it?"
Hazel's voice was frantic. "Aife, it's Aunt Dahlia. Something's wrong. She fainted, and now the doctors think—"
Before Hazel could finish, Aife stood. "Have the car ready," she said to Lan, her voice unwavering despite the tightness in her chest.
Lan nodded and disappeared to fulfill her order. Aife gathered her coat and bag with mechanical precision, but her mind raced. The ride to the hospital was a blur of muted city sounds and flashing streetlights. Her jaw clenched as she replayed the morning's argument with her mother, guilt clawing its way to the surface.
When the car pulled up to the hospital, Aife didn't wait for Lan to open the door. She stepped out, her pace quick and unsteady.
The hospital smelled of disinfectant and desperation. Aife strode through the hallways, her expression rigid, her pace measured. She found Hazel waiting near the ICU, her hands gripping the straps of her bag.
"She collapsed," Hazel said, her voice trembling. "They think it's her heart. The doctors are with her now."
Aife's composure faltered for just a moment,her bag slipping from her shoulder and her phone falling from her hand. Her hand brushed against the wall as she steadied herself. "She was fine this morning."
She sank into the nearest chair, her head in her hands. "This is my fault," she whispered hoarsely.
Hazel hesitated.Hazel knelt beside her, gripping her hands tightly. "Aife, don't do this. It's not your fault."
"I yelled at her," Aife muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "I shouldn't have—"
Before she could spiral further, the doors to the ICU swung open. A doctor approached, his face calm but serious.
"Miss Cadell is stable," he said. "We'll move her to a private room shortly. You'll be able to speak with her tomorrow."
Aife nodded, her jaw tight. Relief poured through her, but the guilt lingered, stubborn as ever. As Hazel touched her arm gently, she realized how much the weight of her choices truly held her.
Relief coursed through Aife, her body sagging against the chair.For now, Dahlia was safe, and Aife would stay by her side.