Chapter 527 - 123 Final Emergency Call

Chapter 527: Chapter 123 Final Emergency Call

Daniel’s POV

The encrypted phone buzzed with an urgent call from the private medical facility that handled Martinez family emergencies. Sasha had been found unconscious in her penthouse after mixing prescription pills with expensive whiskey. The family doctor explained she’d left specific instructions to contact me immediately if anything happened. I felt my blood run cold as I processed the implications this would create for our carefully maintained territories.

"What’s the situation, Daniel? Problems with Lila?" Beckett immediately sensed trouble, his protective instincts for his sister kicking in.

"No," I struggled to find the right words. "My former wife overdosed on medication and alcohol. They found her collapsed and rushed her to our family’s private medical wing." I paused, running a hand through my hair. "She left explicit orders for them to reach out to me first."

"That’s deeply troubling!" Beckett’s expression hardened. "What’s your plan of action?"

I exhaled heavily. "I need to get to the medical facility. Despite all the political complications between our families, we had a marriage contract witnessed by both organizations. I’ll have my father contact her family’s consigliere, but until they mobilize..." I looked at Beckett, seeking his counsel. "I can’t abandon her there without family representation, can I?"

"I think you should discuss this with Lila first," Katarina interjected, her voice measured but insistent.

Beckett nodded his agreement. "Katarina’s right, but I understand the family obligations you’re facing. Don’t worry—I’ll handle the explanation with my sister."

"Appreciated. I’ll contact Lila during the drive." I rose from my chair and moved toward the door, only to find it opening as I reached for the handle. Lila stood there, security keycard in hand, her expression shifting to surprise as she saw me. "Tiny one! Perfect timing!" I pulled her into a protective embrace.

"Hey, big guy," she said, leaning back to study my face. "What’s developing? You look deeply concerned."

I quickly briefed Lila on the situation with Sasha, watching her expression cycle through concern, comprehension, and finally weary resignation.

"Go, Daniel. We can handle our conversation later," she said, her voice strained.

"Lila, I—" I started to explain that I’d respond this way for any family member in crisis.

"Just go! It’s manageable," she snapped, clearly struggling with the situation.

"No, it’s not manageable." I grasped her hand decisively. "She’s accompanying me!" I called over my shoulder to Beckett and Katarina as I guided Lila toward the exit.

During the drive to the medical facility, I contacted my father through secured channels, briefing him on Sasha’s condition and requesting he reach out to her family’s leadership. After ending the call, I glanced at Lila, who maintained silence beside me.

"Lila, I feel partially responsible for this crisis," I confessed, gripping the steering wheel tighter.

She turned toward me, frustration evident in her voice. "Why, Daniel? This woman will never cease her interference in our lives if she discovers that creating dramatic scenes captures your attention. Every time she orchestrates a crisis, you respond immediately."

"I understand how this appears," I said quietly. "But earlier today she contacted me through untraceable channels—I only answered because I didn’t recognize the encryption signature. She threatened to end her life if I refused to meet with her." I swallowed hard. "And I told her to proceed with it. Your brother witnessed the entire exchange. I can’t escape the feeling that this situation is partially my responsibility. Can you comprehend that?"

"Oh, Daniel!" Lila sighed heavily, exasperation clear.

The traffic signal ahead shifted to red, and I stopped, turning to frame her face in my hands, forcing direct eye contact.

"Tiny one, you are my entire world. Nothing and no one holds more importance than you do. But if I don’t respond to this, it will torment me indefinitely." I held her gaze intensely, barely registering the impatient honking from the vehicle behind us as the light changed to green. "Tell me how to proceed. If you want to return home, we’ll reverse course immediately."

Lila’s expression softened. "Let’s proceed to the medical facility." She released another frustrated sigh. "But you need to establish absolutely clear boundaries with her, her family, and your father that you belong to me now. You’re only there fulfilling basic family obligations, and this is the final time."

"My beautiful," I said, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "You have no cause to feel threatened by her or anyone else. I am entirely yours." I leaned in for a kiss, the impatient horns blaring behind us.

At the medical facility, we checked in at the secure reception desk, and a family-affiliated nurse directed us to a private waiting area, assuring us the attending physician would brief us shortly. A while later, my father strode in, his commanding presence filling the sterile space.

"Any developments, Daniel?" he asked without preamble.

"Nothing yet. We’re awaiting the physician’s assessment," I replied.

He shifted his attention to Lila. "Lila, how are you managing? What regrettable circumstances for our families to convene under."

"Indeed, quite unfortunate, Mr. Martinez," Lila responded coolly as my father took her hands in what seemed like a comforting gesture, though I remained suspicious of his political motivations.

"Daniel, you and Lila can depart. I’ll await that troubled girl’s family representatives," my father stated with authority, not offering a suggestion.

"Dad, I’m remaining until they arrive," I said firmly. "I want to understand her medical status and make it absolutely clear that they must handle Sasha’s affairs going forward. I’m committed to Lila, and this is the final time Sasha draws me into her manipulations."

"Very well," he conceded, settling into a chair beside Lila. "I encountered your brother today. Thank you for facilitating that introduction."

"It was nothing," she replied with a diplomatic smile.

"You know, Lila, you and your family represent quite remarkable people," my father continued, earning a curious look from Lila. "Your brother’s wife is Katarina Barrett—a significant force in high-end fashion circles."

"Yes, Katarina has achieved incredible success," Lila acknowledged. "But we maintain very grounded principles, sir."

"Your brother extended an invitation to visit your business operations and agricultural holdings. Did he mention it? We might develop a mutually beneficial partnership." My father’s unusual attentiveness toward Lila surprised me.

"We haven’t had opportunity to discuss business yet," she explained carefully. "Because of this crisis with Sasha, I barely crossed the threshold before we departed. But if my brother believes it’s advantageous, I’m confident it would prove beneficial. As I’ve mentioned previously, I don’t directly involve myself in company operations."

Lila maintained the conversation with practiced diplomacy, keeping my father at respectful distance.

"Family of Sasha Mendez?" A physician entered the waiting area, and I immediately stood.

"I’m her former husband. What’s her condition?" I asked, tension evident in my voice.

"She’ll make a complete recovery," the doctor assured us. "The dosage was significant but not fatal. The alcohol consumption presented greater medical concerns. We’ve performed gastric lavage and administered counteractive treatments. She’s in her private room now, sedated."

"Would you like to see her?" he asked, and I nodded. He led us to a room where Sasha lay motionless, her complexion paler than usual but otherwise stable.

"How long before she regains consciousness?" my father inquired.

"At least several hours, but recovery depends on her individual system," the doctor replied before departing.

I stood at the foot of the bed, contemplating what drives someone to such desperate measures. In Sasha’s case, it seemed more about manipulating attention than genuine despair. Using suicide threats as leverage to force my presence was deeply troubling—she required psychiatric intervention, something I’d recommend to her family’s leadership. Lila settled onto the couch across from the bed, and my father exited the room. I joined Lila, taking her hand in mine, searching for words that remained elusive.