The help quickly prepared a glass of water upon her request. She leaned against the counter waiting. Her phone buzzed in the pocket of her coat. She pulled it out. And frowned lightly when she saw Penny's name on the screen. Why was she calling? Heather left Alex in Penny's care. She trusted her more than anyone else, and told her where she'd be going, so it wasn't like her to call randomly.
Heather glanced around the kitchen before stepping into a corner where no one could hear her. She answered.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"It's Alex," Penny said. "He wants to know when you're coming back and where you are."
Heather sighed. "I told him I can't tell him that."
"Well, he's insisting. Heather, just tell him something."
"Mommy, you can't fool me!" Alex's voice rang out from the other end of the call.
Heather smiled. "Alex, baby, I'm at a meeting. I'll call you when I'm done, okay?"
There was a brief pause.
"Okay. Love you."
"Love you too," Heather said softly, hanging up.
She turned back toward the kitchen, and nearly bump into Evelyn, who was standing there. She was watching her with a strange expression. They both didn't say anything to each other, but the stare stayed a second too long. She wondered if Evelyn eavesdropped on her call. Was that why she was staring at her like this?
Heather's eyes shifted to the glass of water on the counter. She brushed past her, grabbing the glass of water from the counter. "Excuse me," she said curtly and walked back to the office.
When Heather returned, her father was mid-sentence. He glanced at her briefly as she placed the water on the table and sat back down. "Thank you,"
He cleared his throat and continued. "I've decided to give my inheritance to one of my daughters."
Heather raised an eyebrow. Ah, so that was why he'd called them all here. It was obvious who he planned to favour. If it were her, there'd be no need for this charade.
Her father turned to her. "Heather, you are my legitimate daughter. Which is why…" his expression was serious.
Evelyn walked back into the room, retaking her seat without a word. Heather glanced at her briefly. She wondered if she was going to say something about the phone call.
"… I want you to be here," her father finished. He took a sip from the glass of water.
"Heather wasn't here when the company faced its toughest times. She left," Evelyn said. "She can't just show up and..."
"Please, Evelyn," their father interrupted. He cleared his throat. "I'm not even done..."
He coughed. Heather's eyes widened as she saw him clutch his throat. His face contorted in discomfort.
"Daddy?" Lauren gasped. "Daddy, what's wrong?" she rushed to his side.
"Are you choking?" Caius stood quickly. He stepped forward.
Mr. Lionel didn't answer. His body began shaking violently. His hand still gripped his throat. Heather sat frozen. One moment, he was fine. The next, he was falling apart. It didn't make sense. None of this made sense.
Evelyn ran out of the room, shouting for help. Lauren screamed, clinging to their father's arm as if that would stop whatever was happening. Caius leaned forward. He held him steady. But his head lolled back.
Then he went still.
The room went silent. Heather felt like time had stopped. Her father's body sagged in Caius's arms. His breathing faint. She felt her blood go cold. It started from her head, then spread to her body and feet. All she could do was stare, while her mind kept screaming "how?" Over and over again. Caius lifted him effortlessly. He moved him toward the door while Lauren ran after him, still crying.
"The car is packed outside."