The Workaholic

Chapter 7

"You're awake," said Nathan, rushing to her side immediately to help her sit up.

"What happened?" she asked, looking around confused as she tried to make sense of everything with her fuzzy brain.

"You collapsed at work," he replied helping her up. "the doctor said it's probably due to stress and the fact that you're not eating."

"I see. What about the girls?" she asked, her brain finally clearing a bit.

"Don't worry. They called your husband's company and his secretary said she sent the family chauffeur to pick them up," reassured Nathan.

Karen was instantly relieved. "That's good."

"As for your husband," he continued getting her attention again. "he said he'd come after he finished a meeting at the company," he said, involuntarily scaring her fragile heart again.

Hearing this, Karen gripped the sheets and smiled but it was far from amused or happy. "I didn't even know he was back," she mumbled, bitter and sad.

Not expecting this reaction, Nathan didn't know how to respond and Karen sighed before looking at him with a grateful smile.

"Thanks for being here Nathan," she said, startling him a bit.

"Oh, it's no problem," he replied, seeming embarrassed. "actually, Sophia wanted to come too; she was so scared for you," he said, only now able to laugh at how insistent she was.

Karen laughed too. "She's always worrying about me, but I'm grateful for it though," replied Karen, amused and grateful.

Seeing her in better spirits already, Nathan smiled before it vanished a bit.

"Karen, I'm not going to ask what led to all this, but I will say that it's better to resolve things sooner than later," said Nathan, not wanting to be invasive but also not wanting to see her in the state she was in again.

Karen sighed knowing he was right. "You're right," she replied, dreading the thought of everything coming crashing down after all.

Nathan placed a supportive hand on her thin shoulder. "It will be alright. I'm sure you'll be able to make the right choice."

Karen flashed him and grateful smile. "Thanks, Nathan."

"Anytime, get some rest."

Listening to him, Karen lay back down and rested with Nathan by her side.

After school, the girls were brought to the hospital and rushed to their mother feeling worried and anxious.

"Mom!" they called, rushing to go hug her tightly as soon as they entered the room.

Karen hugged them back feeling guilty for making them worry about her so much. "Hey girls, sorry for giving you a scare."

Annabelle pulled back and dried her tears. "It's alright, did you tell Dad?"

Karen nodded. "He said he'd come after a meeting," said Karen, upsetting Annabelle, who had been holding back her anger for the sake of her mother.

"Is he serious?" she asked fuming. "Aren't you more important than his work!?" she raged shocking Karen who quickly got a hold of herself and frowned.

"Annabelle, that's enough!" she snapped, startling her daughters who weren't used to her raising her voice at them. "I know you're upset, but your father does his best for us," she said lowering her voice again. "yes, I know he isn't always there, but we do matter for him, okay?"

"Okay," they replied not wanting to upset their mother further.

After waiting for a bit longer, Eric finally showed up looking dishevelled and worried.