WILLIAM'S POV
I never knew that this day would come, but it did; we all were a little more oblivious to it than we thought.
Alphonso's life support was taken out because of his cancer. The atmosphere has become relatively thick in the house. A brother was consoling his brother and sister beside his father's dead body, and a loyal servant could be seen in the corner, quietly mourning his master.
I didn't know him well, nor did we share fond memories or emotional connections, but that doesn't mean I don't feel bad for my husband and his siblings, who I started to care about so much in recent days. I can't do anything for them but be mindful of their boundaries.
My heart breaks every time I see my husband and how he stands like a mountain through it all. He doesn't talk about his father, and I stopped asking him at some point.
I'm standing at the doorway because this place is right to stand for me. The doctor covers Alphonso's face with a white sheet, bids his goodbye, and consoles the grieving family while he packs his bags.
I ordered a servant waiting outside the room to see that the doctor found his way out and not get lost. Another servant came, and he looked at me, his eyes asking if he could speak to me; of course, I nodded.
"They are here to take the body." He said.
I gave him a heads-up to allow the paramedics to take the body. I looked at Philip and his siblings, who were hugging him and crying.
But this couldn't wait any longer. I got in and tapped on Philip's shoulder. He looked at me and knew what was happening. He nodded and said to his siblings, "Let's go outside. They are here to take the body."
Sarah and Alex let go of their brother and went to their rooms. Philip and I stayed to see paramedics come in and take the body of Alphonso.
After they took the body, I asked Philip, "We should start with the funeral arrangements."
"They have already been made in advance. You shouldn't worry yourself, darling." Philip said to me.
"I'm not worried about me; I'm worried about you," I told him.
He took my hand and said, "I'll be fine as long as you're by my side."
"Till death, sweetheart," I said to him, and we went to the window to see Paramedics take Alphonso's body.
Philip left for the office after that, and I started to see if there was work around the house because I was going to see Mrs. Harrison and wanted to do the job.
Surely enough, there was some work to be done. I had to sign salary checks for the servants.
After every affair was in order, I checked on Alex and Sarah to see if they needed anything, but they both turned me down.
Double-checking everything, I got in the car and told the driver to take me to Mrs. Harrison. She wanted to meet me for quite some time, but I needed more time with everything that was going on.
I arrived at her and knocked on the door. Mrs. Harrison opened the door and greeted me, "Ah! Finally, you came."
She hugged me, and I said, "You know how things have been. I was quite uncertain myself that I couldn't come to visit."
"It's alright, darling I know how much time an estate requires." She said.
"Well, thanks to your advice, I adapted rather quickly because I'd be drowning in problems if it wasn't for you," I said to her, and we sat on the sofa in the drawing room. Philip and I sat when I first came to visit.
"How are they holding up?" She asked.
"They are holding up alright," I said, "But Philip didn't even shed a tear."
"Yes, that's the curse of being the eldest son," she replied.
And a servant came with the tea.
"Let me make you a cup, then we'll talk," Mrs. Harrison said.
"Nonsense, I'll make you a cup, and then we'll talk," I told her.
She laughed and nodded. I made her a cup and one for myself, and we both drank it.
"Mrs. Harrison, if you don't mind me asking can I ask you a question," I told her.
"Yes, ask anything I don't mind," she replied, putting down her cup.
"Why don't Henry and George live here?" I asked her.
"Well, because George doesn't like this house and fully so." She said with a grave expression.
"Did something happen here?" I asked and took a sip.
"The last time George was here, he miscarried and said that the place was cursed and didn't want his children to be here, so here I am alone with my husband died and my only son away. This should tell you how much I appreciate you coming here." Said Mrs. Harrison.
"That is sad; I'm sorry that it happened," I said to her with a guilty face.
"You have nothing to be sorry about, but I worry what would happen to this house when I die?" Mrs. Harrison looked around the room.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," I told her.
"Thank you, sweetheart, that was helpful," she replied.
"Henry told Philip that we should go on a double date with them," I told her.
"So, did you go?" She asked.
"We were planning, but this happened, so I think after everything gets back to normal, I'll ask Philip," I told her. "But the main reason I was here is to ask can you accompany me to the doctor?"
Her eyes widened, and a huge smile appeared on her face. She gasped and asked, "Did you get pregnant?"
"I think so because my heat cycle hasn't come this month," I told her.
"That is such good news, and of course, I'll come with you to the doctor," she replied.
"I haven't told anyone, so please keep it a secret," I asked her.
"It's good that you didn't tell anyone we'll go and see the doctor before that your secret is safe with me," she said, "By the way, when's the funeral?"
"It's the day after tomorrow," I told her, "I have booked the appointment after the funeral."
"That's good; call me when you want to go, and I'll be there," she said.
We both chatted for a bit, and I told her it was getting late and that I should get going. I said goodbye to her and left.
PHILIP'S POV
After arriving in the office, I wrote a statement announcing my father's death. I started getting bombarded with phone calls and messages about my father.
I didn't wanna be in the office. Still, with the information Boris has given me, I couldn't possibly leave the office alone.
I soldiered through the day, seeing the head secretary prancing around the office, and I couldn't do anything. Boris assured me that he has his agents following her.
William called and asked how I was doing, which was nice. Hearing his voice relaxed me. I wanted to be with him right now.
My secretary saw right through me and asked, "Sir, I think you should take a day off. I'll take off the things around the office."
"No, it's alright; the board members will be here any minute. I don't want to give them any reason to think I am emotionally incapable of running the company." I said to him.
Hearing my thoughts, my secretary pulled out a file with every board member's name and said, "I have comprised this sheet and have collected evidence against every board member like you asked."
"Well, keep it hidden for now. I think we'll have to use it earlier than I thought."
"Okay, sir, as you wish, and we have a meeting with the new Chinese company," he said.
"Okay then, let's go and hustle..."
To be continued.