The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the hospital as the Rowland and Daniel families gathered in the waiting room, their faces tense, eyes shifting uneasily. Brian lay motionless in his hospital bed, trapped in a vegetative state, clinging to life while the world outside moved on without him. Days had stretched into agonizing weeks of watching, waiting, and hoping, but for Linda, each passing day felt like a countdown to an inevitable disaster.
She couldn't remain tethered to a man who might never wake up, not after everything she had learned. But walking away quietly wasn't an option. The secret she'd overheard was her leverage, and she intended to use it.
Mrs. Priscilla Rowland stood at the far end of the room, her composed exterior beginning to show cracks under the pressure. The weight of Brian's condition had worn her down, yet she clung to her pride, unwilling to show vulnerability in front of anybody. Linda watched her closely, knowing the confrontation was going to hold no matter what.
Taking a deep breath, Linda approached Mrs. Priscilla. "Mrs. Priscilla," she whispered, leaning in to make sure they wouldn't be overheard. "Can we talk privately?"
Mrs. Priscilla glanced around the room, her gaze lingering on the worried faces of the Rowlands and the Daniels before nodding stiffly. She led Linda down the hall, away from the concerned chatter and prying eyes, stopping near a window that overlooked the hospital's courtyard. The fading afternoon sun cast long shadows, mirroring the darkness encroaching upon their conversation.
"What is it, Linda?" Mrs. Priscilla asked, her voice weary but firm.
"I want to call off the engagement. I can't marry Brian, not in his condition. I've tried to be patient, but it's been weeks, and he may never recover," Linda declared, her words sharp like a knife.
Mrs. Priscilla's expression hardened, her hands gripping the railing by the window as if seeking stability. "We've already discussed this. The engagement stands. You want to belong to this family before now; this family, my family, cannot accept another engagement called off scandal right now."
"I won't be trapped in this situation forever," Linda retorted, her voice rising with barely contained fury. "I refuse to tie myself to a man who might never walk or talk again!"
Tension crackled between them, the sterile hospital walls feeling increasingly suffocating.
Mrs. Priscilla took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Linda, you owe this family more than you think. We've given you status, wealth, and everything that comes with the Rowland name. And what makes you think my son won't wake up? Do you truly believe he would choose to live his life in a vegetative state? If you break off this engagement, I hope your family can bear the consequences."
Linda smirked, anger bubbling over. "You are worried about my family bearing the consequences of my actions? What about your image Mrs Priscilla, as the wife of Mr Rowland? I know a secret that could shatter your precious façade." She took a step closer, her voice lowering to a venomous whisper. "I overheard you and Uncle Charlie. Brian is not Mr. Rowland's son; he's the product of your affair with Mr Charlie."
Mrs. Priscilla stiffened, her face draining of color as the gravity of Linda's words sank in. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, don't play dumb with me," Linda sneered, reveling in the control she had seized. "You have kept it hidden for years, thinking you could keep it a secret forever. But now I know the truth."
For the first time, Mrs. Priscilla's composure cracked, her eyes wide with panic. "You… you don't know what you're saying." she tried to walk out but was blocked by Linda who played a video record of her discussion with Mr Charlie early
Linda leaned in closer, her voice icy. "If you don't let me out of this engagement, how about I expose this secret? Do you think the Rowland family can survive that scandal? Especially your husband Mr Rowland? I don't think so."
Mrs. Priscilla stared at her, realizing the position she was in. They both knew she was cornered.
After a long, tense silence, Mrs. Priscilla finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Fine. You win. The engagement will be called off. But you must promise to keep this secret forever. No one should know about it."
Before Linda could respond, Mrs. Priscilla regained her composure and headed back to the waiting room. The tension in the air was thick as she stood before the anxious families, her expression unreadable.
"I have an announcement," Mrs. Priscilla said, her voice cutting through the murmurs. All eyes turned to her, filled with anticipation.
"The wedding between Brian and Linda is off," she declared, her words echoing in the charged atmosphere.
Confusion rippled through the room, whispers bouncing off the sterile walls. Mrs. Priscilla raised her hand to quiet the gathering, but before she could continue, a voice broke through the crowd.
It was Lisa, standing resolute and steady. "If Linda no longer wants to marry Brian, I would like to take her place," she said, her voice clear and unwavering. The room fell silent, shock registering on every face.
"What?" Linda spat, turning to face Lisa, disbelief across her features.
"I care about Brian," Lisa continued, ignoring Linda's glare. "And if there's a chance he wakes up, I want to be by his side."
Mrs. Priscilla's eyes widened, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face. The weight of Lisa's declaration settled heavily over the room.
Linda narrowed her eyes, trying to regain control. "Just because the marriage has been called off doesn't mean we're not together. The engagement might not be valid, but if he wakes up, you're just saying you'd substitute for me temporarily."
"Who do you think you are to make decisions for our family?" Hilda interjected, frustration spilling from her lips.
"Why don't you ask your mother if I have the right to make decisions in your family?" Linda shot back, her anger spilling over. Hilda could only glance at her mother, seeking verbal support that never came.
Lisa remained steadfast. "According to the doctor's report, Brian might remain in a vegetative state for life, and the possibility of you marrying him is slim. I would only agree if Brian himself wants you back."
Mrs. Priscilla, slowly regaining her composure, cleared her throat. "If that's your wish, Lisa, and if Brian's condition improves, we will support whatever decision he makes."
Linda's smile twisted into a devious grin, knowing that as long as she held Mrs. Priscilla's secret, the odds were in her favor.
With nothing left to say, Linda strutted out of the room. As the door slammed behind her, Lisa stood tall, her gaze unwavering. She had made her decision, and there was no turning back.
The battle for Brian's future had only just begun.