I waited patiently, though my heart was troubled. I really hoped nothing had happened to my uncle. The uncertainty gnawed at me, making each second feel like an eternity. A soft beep from my phone broke the silence, and I glanced down to see a message with the address to my uncle's lawyer's office. Relief washed over me—it wasn't a hospital. At least he was safe, though the urgency in his tone earlier hinted at something serious.
Wasting no time, I slipped on my shoes, grabbed my car keys, and headed out. The elevator ride down to the car park felt interminable, the hum of the machinery doing little to soothe my nerves. My reflection in the mirrored walls stared back at me, betraying the anxiety I tried to suppress.
Once in the car park, I climbed into my car, the engine roaring to life. The streets were alive with the chaos of the city—honking horns, impatient drivers, and pedestrians rushing to beat the evening rush. But the noise only added to my growing unease. My mind raced with questions. What could be so urgent that my uncle's lawyer needed to see me now?
The drive was a blur, my hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as I navigated through the traffic. When I finally reached the address, the sight of the towering building with its sleek glass facade sent another wave of nerves through me. This wasn't a place for small matters. Whatever this was, it was big.
I parked quickly and entered the building. The polished marble floors and high ceilings gave the space an air of authority. At the front desk, a receptionist looked up with a practiced smile.
"Miss Elena Ellison?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.
"Mr. Langley is expecting you. Please, follow me." She led me down a quiet hallway, her heels clicking softly against the tiles. My heart thudded in my chest as we stopped in front of a set of heavy oak doors. With a nod, she opened one and gestured for me to step inside.
The room was imposing, with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a large mahogany desk. Behind it sat Mr. Langley, flipping through a stack of files. He stood as I entered, his expression grave.
"Good evening, Miss Ellison. Please, have a seat," he said, motioning to the chair across from him.
I lowered myself into the chair, my palms clammy as I clutched my bag. "Good evening. What's this about?" I asked, trying to sound calm despite the growing knot in my stomach.
Mr. Langley hesitated, his hands resting on the desk. "I'm afraid it's a matter of urgency," he began. "It concerns your uncle."
"What about him?" I pressed, my voice sharpening with worry.
He sighed deeply, as though choosing his words carefully. "Your uncle has been diagnosed with ALS—Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My mind went blank, and for a moment, I could barely breathe. ALS. I knew what it meant—how it stole away a person's strength, their independence, piece by piece.
"How long… how long has he known?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"For some time now," Mr. Langley replied. "But he chose to keep it private. He didn't want to burden anyone, least of all you."
My throat tightened, and I fought the tears threatening to spill. "Why wouldn't he tell me? I'm his family. I could've been there for him."
"He didn't want you to see him like this," Mr. Langley said gently. "He's always seen you as strong, and he didn't want to break that image for you. He also wanted to protect you."
"That's not fair," I muttered, anger bubbling beneath my sorrow. "If he saw me as family, he should've trusted me. What about my aunt and cousins? Do they know?"
"They've known for a while," he admitted.
I bit my lip, the betrayal stinging. Everyone had known but me? Why? Before I could spiral further, Mr. Langley's next words caught me off guard.
"There's something else you need to know, Miss Ellison," he said, his tone shifting. "Your uncle has taken steps to ensure the future of Ellison Enterprises in his absence."
I frowned. "What does the company have to do with this? My uncle's health is what matters."
"I understand," he said. "But your uncle entrusted me with his wishes. If anything were to happen to him, you are to take over as CEO of Ellison Enterprises. His shares in the company now belong to you."
My heart stopped. "What?"
"Your father founded Ellison Enterprises with your uncle," Mr. Langley continued. "When your father passed, your uncle became the sole owner. He poured his life into building the company into what it is today. And now, he wants you to continue that legacy."
I shook my head, disbelief mixing with anger. "How can you sit there talking about a company when my uncle is fighting for his life? This isn't what matters right now."
"I understand how you feel, but this is what your uncle wanted," he said firmly. "He believed in your potential, Elena. He trusted you with everything."
Tears stung my eyes as I thought of my uncle—how he had always been there for me after my father passed, how he had shielded me from so much. And now, he was dealing with this alone?
"Where is he?" I asked, my voice trembling. "What hospital is he in?"
Mr. Langley hesitated. "I'm sorry, but I can't disclose that information. He's chosen to keep his location confidential for now, even from his family."
"What?" I nearly shouted. "How can you expect us to just sit back while he's going through this? He needs us!"
"Elena, your uncle has his reasons. He doesn't want anyone to see him in his current state. He wants to focus on handling things his way."
"That's not fair," I said, my voice breaking. "He shouldn't have to go through this alone."
"I know this is difficult," Mr. Langley said gently. "But I urge you to speak with his family or go vist them you would be able to understand. In the meantime, we need to address the matter of the company."
I shook my head in disbelief. "This is too much. I don't even know where to start."
"I'll guide you through it," he assured me. "But first, there are documents you'll need to sign. Once you do, you'll officially be the CEO of Ellison Enterprises."
The weight of his words settled on my chest like a stone. This wasn't just about my uncle's illness. My life was about to change forever.