Rivals In Love (Love In Montana Book 4)

Georgia drove home worried about how to complete her project on her own, now that Ryan had decided to do it independently. She would have to check Ryan's share of the topics and then start her research. She was very upset with Ryan's behavior but she couldn't really complain knowing that he was just looking out for his family's welfare. After what her brothers had done to him and his family, it was normal human behavior to react the way he did. She didn't bear any grudge on him. 

She drove home and saw that her dad was sitting in the living room, looking somewhat unwell. She walked in and sat down beside him. "Are you feeling sick again, dad?" She asked with concern. He nodded.

"I'm not very well, Georgia. I won't be there for long. I need to talk to you. It's urgent," he said, massaging his chest slowly. 

"Do you want me to talk to the doctor? How you're feeling, dad?" She asked him. Her dad shook his head.

"No, nothing, just sit with me for a while. I need to talk to you," he said with a grave expression on his face.

Georgia waited for him to say what he wanted to say to her. "Georgia, I know that I haven't been a good father to you and neither have I been a good husband to your mom. All my life, I had been selfish and have treated both of you very badly," he sighed. Georgia was silent. She knew that it was the hard truth. When he was in good health, her dad had never realized her mom's worth and he had always been partial towards her brothers. He had always been blind to their faults. It had hurt her since childhood and now she had become used to it so much that it didn't affect her any longer.

"It doesn't matter any longer, dad. I know you don't like me.  You did what you thought was right and I've grown used to everything," she shrugged. Her dad shook his head, his eyes holding a strange sadness.

"Forgive me if you can, Georgia. I'll understand if you cannot but I don't have much time on my hands. I can feel my body giving up on me," he told her. Georgia didn't know what to say. 

"Nothing will happen to you, dad. You don't need to feel guilty about anything. I don't have anything against you. I've accepted that I'm a misfit in this family, " she sighed. 

"I don't have the will to live after what happened today. All my life, I had loved and supported your brothers more than anyone else but now when I'm so unwell, Brian and Greg fought with me, compelled me to sign the property and business over to them. I know it's late, but their selfishness has opened my eyes. I tried to apologize to Rose since morning, but she has slipped into coma today since the infection has spread from her lungs to the rest of her body," he said, covering his face with remorse.

"Mom's condition has deteriorated because of your neglect, dad. It's no use apologizing to her now. She can't hear you," said Georgia with a sigh. She just couldn't find it in his heart to forgive him for what he did to her mom. As for her brothers, he deserved what he got. He had supported them in all their wrong doings all his life and he received what he got in return. He had trained them that way and now when they are cruel, selfish and criminal minded just like he was before, there was no point cribbing about it. 

Her dad sighed. "I know. I've wronged her," he said looking dejectedly at his hands. 

"As for Brian and Greg, they're just the way you wanted them to be, dad. You supported them in everything, every wrong, every crime. So I'm really not surprised at all," she shrugged. Her dad nodded.

"Yes, you're right," he said with a sigh. "Since I don't have much time at hand, l've divided all my assets into three equal halves and I've deposited your share into your bank account. They wanted the business for themselves so I've deposited money instead into your account. I know that you wouldn't want to be a part of it and run the business along with them," said her dad.

"I don't want any money, dad. You can give it to them. I'm here only for mom. I'll go away to aunt Dorothy's house, complete my education and get a job," she told him. She didn't need money. All she needed was love, kindness and a little support but since he hadn't been able to give her that, she was fine with nothing. 

"I've given them what they deserve but I'll be happy if you use the money that I've deposited in your account, Georgia. Accept it as a blessing from a repenting dad to his only daughter, " his dad pleaded with folded hands. Georgia caught his hands in his.

"Don't worry, dad. I do accept it. Thank you. Now tell me how you are exactly feeling. I'll have a word with the doctor, " said Georgia, releasing his hands. 

"I don't want any doctor, Georgia. I'll just sleep for a while. Go and see your mom. See if you can revive her. She's sinking with every passing moment, " said her dad. Georgia saw the tears in his eyes as he hobbled towards his room. Georgia had a strange feeling of dread in her heart. She couldn't pinpoint exactly what but as if something dreadful was about to happen. She quickly freshened up and was about to eat a sandwich for lunch when she received a call from Hannah who was at the hospital. 

Her mom had suddenly stopped breathing and the doctors were trying their best to revive her. Georgia dropped everything and picked up her car keys and wallet and rushed towards the hospital. Fear gripped her heart as she drove and she silently prayed for her mom. 

However no prayer could prevent what was destined to happen. So, by the time Georgia reached the ICU where her mom had been shifted, she has already breathed her last breath. Georgia froze like a statue, unable to believe that her mom had actually passed away without even saying a goodbye to her for the final time. Hannah came towards her with tears in her eyes. "You just missed her by a minute or two, Georgia. She was looking for you before closing her eyes for the last time, " she sobbed, clasping her to her bosom. 

"She was awake?" Asked Georgia with surprise. 

"Yes, she suddenly gained consciousness ten minutes back and it was all over before anything could be done, " said Hannah, wiping her tears. Georgia's chest was heavy and her throat was too choked with shock at the suddenness of it all. She still couldn't accept that her mom wasn't there any longer. 

She walked towards her mom's bedside and sat down in a daze. "I'm sure there's some misunderstanding. She might have gone back to coma, doctor. Please could you check her again?" She asked the doctor in charge, gazing at her mom's serene face and still body. 

"I'm sorry, Ms McLean. Your mom's no more. We tried our best to revive her but she just didn't give us enough time to," said the doctor, gently. Georgia touched her mom's stone cold hand and then realization really struck her. 

Hannah called her brothers and aunt Dorothy but they didn't inform his dad yet. After a few minutes, her brothers arrived to do the needful. 

Her dad came to know in the evening when they received a call from the hospital regarding the issue of the death certificate. He received a second heart attack hearing the news and needed to be rushed into the hospital. The next two weeks, while he battled with his life, Georgia and her brothers completed their mom's funeral rites. Her dad returned home but he was confined to the bed thereafter. He had lost his ability to walk or move freely and needed help in almost everything. 

Amidst all this, Georgia had no time to do any research for her project. The evening before the date of submission, she sat down with her laptop to figure out what she could do with it when Brian stormed into her room. Georgia looked up at him with dread. Now what did she do? "How could you coax dad to transfer the biggest share of his assets into your account, Georgia?" He yelled. Georgia's mouth hung open at the accusation. 

"I didn't do any such thing, Brian. You and Greg were the ones who compelled dad to sign everything over to you. I don't even know how much dad had transferred to my account. How can you accuse me this way?" She asked angrily. 

"You have aunt Dorothy looking out for you. Why do you need so much money for? I want you to go with me to the bank and sign the money over to me tomorrow. Is that clear?" He growled out. 

"I'll do nothing of the kind. Dad transferred the money to me and it stays mine. Now if you'd excuse me, I have a project to complete and submit tomorrow," she said turning  back to her laptop. Brian glared at her and her laptop. 

"Isn't that the same project that you're doing with that ba*ta*d?" Growled Brian, striding towards her with purpose. 

"No, this is ...," before she could finish her sentence, Brian picked up her laptop and crashed it to the floor, breaking it beyond repair. Georgia looked at it with horror. All her hard work had crumbled to dust as her project work which was saved to the drive was also destroyed along with her laptop. Brian stormed out of her room leaving her in tears.