Loving You Is Not An Accident: It's Destiny 225 Leave Me

However, the medical staffs directly take John Howard to the presidential suite to lay him down comfortably and advised his family to wait for the doctor to explain the patient's condition while they're still arranging the apparatus for him.

They were ushered to the doctor's office and waited for his arrival. Ingrid and Clifford sat side by side while Lance was anxiously walking to and fro within the doctor's office.

Some moments have pa.s.sed the doctor pulled in. The doctor is in his late fifties who looked tired from the strenuous bustle in the OR earlier. He explored the faces of the people in his office, yet his eyes glued to Ingrid and asked,

"Are you the daughter of John, dear?" was his first question the moment he arrived.

"Yes, I am his daughter. My name's Ingrid Howard, err, Briggs and this is my husband Clifford Briggs. Nice to meet you, doctor–?" Ingrid and Clifford stood up to shake hands with the doctor.

"Apologies, I haven't introduced myself, I'm Dr. Alan s...o...b... Nice meeting you, at last, and Mr. Briggs. I've heard a lot about you two." He shook hands firmly with the daughter and son-in-law of his good friend, John. "Please, have a set."

Without ado, Ingrid asked, "How's my daddy, doc?" the doctor released a breathy sigh.

"I want to be straight to the point with you, dear… He's in bad shape now…"

Ingrid gasped for air, but Clifford supported his wife not to faint. His heart aches when he saw that his dearest wife shed tears in silence.

"Hey honey, I'm just here." Clifford whispered in her ears to calm her.

Doctor s...o...b.. then explained John's medical condition leaving nothing from them. He also showed them the lab results and John's medical records to further his explanation.

"…but, there's still hope. He's capable of prevailing over it if…" his voice trailed off. He feared that his next heart attack may be fatal if…

"What's the 'if', doc?"

"If he should retire from being the CEO in his company and give it to his heir. He must avoid any stressful situations and workloads because his heart cannot take it anymore. The family must have closer watch over John's health. He needed you right now, dear. Full time."

The words expressed by the doctor rings in Ingrid's mind. She wanted to accept the weight and challenge, however, she knew, she shouldn't be hasty. It isn't that easy for her.

Her gaze went to her husband who's very serious and in deep thoughts. In a spur of the moment, Lance spoke.

"Ingrid, I'm willing to take responsibility for the company."

They all became silent. Clifford narrowed his eyes, while Ingrid never saw Lance this serious. Except that she also must stand as John's daughter.

"Lance, let's just talk about it first. Let's not be hasty and miss the way." Clifford interjected.

"But Ingrid is already married with you and you're both in Diamond, your work and companies are there, it'll be hard for the both of you…"

The married couple did not respond but just take brief glimpse to each other. Clifford squeezed his wife's hands. Save for, he still insisted on talking about it first.

"There's nothing hard in this world Lance, only those who won't find ways for every crucial situation would. I know there's still a way for everything." Clifford firmly added.

"But–" Ingrid then raised her right hand to silence Lance's insistence.

"Lance, please." She pleaded, "…Let's not be hasty and decide things when we're in unstable emotions. I believe in you, however, I should also do my part as my dad's only child. My husband and I needed to discuss about the future arrangements I believe. I do hope you respect that, Lance."

Clifford nodded caringly, considering what Ingrid had said.

They continued to talk some more and when all their questions were answered, the trio decided to go to John's suite to check on him.

"Doctor, thank you so much." Ingrid said before they left.

"Anything for my patients especially for my close friend, Ingrid."

Hesitant he may seem, but Lance followed the couple with a heavy heart.

. . .♥ . . .♥ . . .♥

Days pa.s.sed, John is slowly recovering. His wife, Rose was the one who personally took care of him, a.s.sisted by Ingrid. On the other hand, Clifford never left Ingrid on her own. He wanted to be there for her, to support her and her family.

In one of those instances, John instructed his daughter to recline his bed so that he could sit comfortably on his bed. Also, he wanted to have a serious talk with his daughter who's beside him, attending his needs.

"Ingrid, dear…" he tried to get his daughter's attention by grabbing her wrist.

"Yes, daddy? Do you still feel uncomfortable? Is there anything you want –?" he smiled looking at the worried face of his daughter.

He reached out to touch Ingrid's face. There's an overwhelming emotion that is well written in her father's eyes. She also held her father's hand and incline on it.

"I never thought we'll end up this way, dear. I'm sorry that I cut short your vacation by taking care of me."

"Oh no, daddy, don't say. It's my utmost pleasure to serve and take care of you, dad. Let me do this. I've never served and took care of you ever since and I want to do it, gladly."

"Really, Ingrid? You'll do that for me?"

"Of course, dad! It's all that I can do to a father who never gave up on me despite what I did in the past."

When the old man heard her response, his expression fell.

"So you'll still leave me."