Savvy Son-in-law by VKBoy

CHAPTER 165 A few minutes back in time.

Nolan was still yet to open his eyes. Dorothy fingerpicked his favorite melody with a guitar, but that didn’t seem to work. Once the song ended, tears overflowed as her heart spoke to him in silence.

He soon opened his eyes and disrobed the gloom off his wife's face. There were no bounds to her joy from seeing her husband cback to life from a near death situation.

Nolan tried to speak, but he found it hard to move his jaw. “Where... am... 1?” He didn’t seem to remember what had happened before the accident, at least not yet.

“In a guest room,” she replied, wiping her tears away. “You don’t remember falling from the balcony?” “Balcony...” as seconds passed, what had happened with George flashed in his mind like the fastest poison out there and stung his soul sharper and deeper than any sword ever could. And he started crying like a baby.

She thought he was crying because of the situation his body was in, but she had no idea that it was the sense of emptiness suddenly penetrating the depths of Nolan’s heart the reason for his heart-racking suffering.

“It’s going to be okay, dear,” Dorothy comforted him like a mother would a child. “I'm here, aren't 1?” It took very many seconds for Nolan to cout of his misery. Dorothy then announced to everyone that Nolan had cto his senses. Everyone in the villa, even the maids, crushing to see him.

George didn’t come, as he had expected. Nevertheless, seeing the rest gather around him, Nolan's eyes teared up again. He felt grateful for their presence, even though he had been surly independent in this family. Their smiles were like light splintering the darkness soaring in his heart.

“You've walked through the valley of death and cout triumphantly. The worst is now behind you, Nolan,” Jason grabbed one of Nolan's hands. “We all wish you a speedy recovery, and we'll help you however we can.” The others also gave their wishes. It felt good to hear even the children wishing for his recovery, Soon, everyone left the room. Dorothy also wanted him to sleep, so she also left, leaving Nolan alone in this room.

His heart began to feel empty like the silence in the room. Surely, he was alive. His heart was still beating. His eyes were still open. His gut was doing its job, too, but he didn’t feel the worth of his existence right now.

Even though it was peaceful around him, his soul couldn't be at peace.

“Why did you do it, George? How could you...” his heart still felt overwhelmed with soreness.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth called George over the phone. “Dad woke up.” “What?” George sounded more shocked than glad.

“Cat night and see him,” Elizabeth said. “You're his only son. He'll feel less pain when you're around.” George frowned. “... did he say anything after waking up?” “Not much. Anyway, don’t forget to pay a visit tonight.” “0-Okay.” She hung up the call.

“You are stupid,” Shawn was standing right behind her. “You shouldn't call someone directly involved in an accident and is on a run right now.” “It’s an important matter,” she replied with confidence. “He'll feel at ease, knowing his father is recovering.” “I doubt he even cares if Nolans lives or not,” Shawn mumbled.

“He’s not like you.” “What?” Shawn glared at her. “What did you just say?” “Nothing,” she walked out of her room, not wanting to argue with him any further.

Shawn went to his working desk and sat down. He kept checking the records and bills. “There's still a lot of debt left to pay...” he rubbed his forehead with both hands. “Is selling ‘that’ new house the only way? Lisa and Roshan never lived in a rented environment. It won't be easy for them. If only Artur was willing to offer shelp... but that bastard wants my sister. However, she’s not at all interested in him. It will take too long to force her to change my mind. Tsk, is there no other way?” The maid, Delle, knocked and entered his room. “Sir Nolan is asking for you, sir.” “For me? Why?” “I don’t know, sir.” “Fine. Tell him I'll clater.” “No, sir,” Delle kept her head lowered throughout. “He said it's urgent.” He wanted to shout, saying, “I don’t care,” but his wife entered the room, so he said, “Alright. Tell him I'll be there soon.” Delle nodded and walked out without making any noise with her footsteps.

“Why is my dad calling for you?” Elizabeth curiously asked.

“How the heck am | supposed to know?” Shawn approached her. “You and your dad have done nothing for me, yet | never complained. If | start being aggressive from now on, just bear with me.” He patted her shoulder on the side before walking past her.

Elizabeth's lips blossomed into a beautiful smile. She felt lucky to have Shawn as her husband.

A minute later.

Shawn entered Nolan’s room, and Delle walked out, leaving the two men for themselves.

Shawn sat down and looked at Nolan's condition. With the bones in his arms and chest broken, it would take at least a year for him to be able to live normally again. “How the hell did you fall from the balcony?” Nolan kept staring at the ceiling. “I was conversing with the voices in my head, and...” Shawn didn’t say anything. For a grown man, battling with his inner voice was a common thing to do. Too bad that it resulted in such an unfortunate incident.

“Knowingly or not, we all live two lives,” Nolan voiced the words within his heart. “One on the outside, and one on the inside-within our minds. I've realized today that it's such a foolish thing to do-hiding our true selves.

Perhaps, | should have been more open with everything I did. At least that way, | wouldn't have any regrets regardless of the outcome.” Shawn thought Nolan was talking about him, leading dual lives until all the bad things he had done got exposed. “I did everything for my family. You know, it's not easy to fulfill your daughter's needs if | live all righteously. | can’t ask my parents everytElizabeth asksto buy costly things. | have my pride to keep as the eldest son of the Sterling family. | admit | walked the wrong path, but it was necessary. If | get another chance, I will walk that path again.” Nolan faintly smiled. “You are much more foolish than | am.” Shawn frowned.

“Did you calljust to mock me?” are “I wish | did, but, no,” Nolan spoke with effort because half of his face was hurting because of the injuries. “I called you here to tell you about my life insurance payout that’s going to be paid in a week.” Shawn was greatly surprised. “When did you...” “Since 20 years ago,” replied Nolan in a painful tone. “Finance is never a safe profession, since betrayals are quite common where money is involved. So | thought at least my family could make use of the insurance money if something happens to me. Now, | want you to use half of that money to buy a good piece of land that has a high possibility of giving great profits in three to four years. Buy it in the nof your children. And give half of the rest to my wife, and the remaining one-fourth to my daughter.” Shawn's expression was flat. “What about you? What if your wife stops caring once you give her all your money away? What if Elizabeth also does the same? You are not even in a position to work and earn.” Nolan just smiled in return. “Maybe that’s why I didn’t tell any of them about the insurance.” Shawn could understand why Nolan couldn't fully trust his wife and children because when things go wrong, his family could do anything to get themselves out of it. “How much money are we talking about?” asked Shawn.

“25 million.” The number widened Shawn's eyes. At that moment, a lot of thoughts rushed through Shawn's brain, and they weren't all positive thoughts. Now, Shawn was old enough to know that if one thought about something long enough, they could sink into it. Still, he chose to put himself in such a situation.

Shawn slowly rose up from his seat, making Nolan look toward him, “Sorry, father-in-law,” as he said, he pulled the pillow from under Nolan's head. Their eyes made contact again, and by the tthe realization dawned in Nolan's eyes, the pillow pressed into his face stronger than he could bear.