THE BILLIONAIRE IS INFATUATED WITH HIS EX-LOVER
Chapter 25: Mr. Roberts died suddenly

Sara was heavy with child; thus, her body was weary and frequently overtaken by sleep. Come evening, she would retire early, and mornings found her rising late. The mere scent of food would set off a torrent of nausea, causing Mrs. Laly to hover by her side incessantly, her concern palpable. She mentioned that Sara's mother had endured a similar ordeal during her pregnancy, plagued by discomfort daily until a labor fraught with relentless challenges. Mrs. Laly placed a bowl of bird's nest porridge on the table, her eyes darting about with worry, drawing Sara's attention.

"What's troubling you today, Auntie? Why do you keep glancing at me so furtively? Is something amiss at home?" Mrs. Laly turned away, striving to avoid Sara's probing gaze.

"There's nothing wrong, dear. Eat your porridge. You must walk and eat with care now that you are carrying a child; it could affect the baby."

"I understand; I'll be careful," Sara mused for a moment before remembering her appointment with Jessica and instructing,

"Auntie, please have the car ready. I'm meeting Jessica to go shopping today. She should be arriving soon; let me get ready."

No sooner had she spoken than her phone rang, displaying Jessica's name. Sara answered cheerfully on speaker.

"Speaking of the devil! You called just as I mentioned you. Are you here already? Wait for me a moment."

"Sara, Sara, something terrible has happened! Your father has had a heart attack and has been rushed to the hospital. I'm coming to take you there," Jessica's voice was panicked, yet each word was unmistakably clear. The bowl that Mrs. Laly held clattered to the ground. Startled, she rushed to support Sara, who stood dazed, her face ashen as if her very soul had fled, her color so drained she looked bloodless.

"Sara, are you alright? Calm down, please don't cry. I know your father's situation, but it might not be as grave as it seems. Don't let yourself get too upset; it could harm the baby."

"Father... I, I need to see him at the hospital." Tears streamed down Sara's face as she rushed to the door, forgetting her purse. Below, Jessica was already waiting; no sooner had Sara settled into the car than they sped off. Mrs. Laly tried to follow but was too late.

"Miss Sara is on her way to the hospital. Please take care of her; let nothing regrettable happen. I implore you." After hanging up, Mrs. Laly stood outside, restless. Sara has been cared for by her grandmother since she was a child, and she is loved no less than a daughter of her own.

Sara's mother, who had saved Mrs. Laly's life, had entrusted her with Sara's care until she was grown before she passed away. Though Sara was now an adult and the promise was fulfilled, recent events had left Mrs. Laly uneasy. She decided to stay until she was sure of Sara's and her child's safety and before she could retire peacefully to the countryside.

Upon reaching the hospital, Sara rushed straight to the emergency room. Mr. Scott, waiting outside, hurried over upon seeing her.

"Miss, you must stay calm; the doctors are treating your father. We must have faith in them."

"Why did my father have a heart attack? How is he doing? Is it serious?" Sara's barrage of questions left Mr. Scott flustered, unsure how to respond. He bowed his head, his expression sorrowful as he replied.

"The business hasn't been going well lately; the boss has been overworking, which has affected his health. Moreover,..." Mr. Scott hesitated, causing Sara to grow impatient. "What else? Tell me quickly."

"The LT Company has launched a deep discount strategy on their products to compete for our customers, so we've been facing significant losses. If this continues, we risk bankruptcy. The boss has had many sleepless nights, weakening his state."

"So it was you. Leon, what more do you want from us?" Sara screamed, then collapsed into her chair, her mind filled with the image of her father lying frail and agonized on the hospital bed.

Sara knew Leon despised her, but to deliberately crush her father's career was utterly intolerable. She gently placed her hand on her stomach, tears flowing freely. One was her father, the other the father of her child; caught between them, she didn't know whom to love or hate.

When Sara reunited with Leon, she had harbored hopes of rekindling their past romance. But his heart had grown colder and more stone-like towards her as time passed. He would not have inflicted such pain if he had retained any affection. He wanted her family destroyed.

Suddenly, the door to the room burst open, and the doctor emerged, his eyes sorrowful as he informed her family to prepare for the worst-they had done all they could.

Sara sobbed uncontrollably in Jessica's arms. She despised her helplessness, unable to aid her father; she regretted the words that had hurt him and mourned her lack of filial piety while he was still alive. Now, even the chance to hear his voice one last time was gone.

Sara lacked the courage to look at the bed inside the emergency room. The sight of her father lying motionless on the stark white bed, his eyes blank and lifeless, soul departed, was too much to bear, as if every fiber of her being was being torn apart.

Mr. Roberts might have been strict with his daughter, but above all, he had always strived to protect and love her with the genuine affection of a father. It was a tragedy that life was so fleeting that he died with his feelings unspoken. Sara collapsed on the floor, numb to the world. Jessica and Mr. Scott struggled to help her into the car to take her home, while Mr. Scott then returned to handle the necessary formalities at the hospital's request.