"Good morning, sir."

"Good day, Derek. Why are you calling me so early in the morning?"

"It's just we have not seen you in the office for some weeks now, the board members are wondering if you are ever going to make an entrance to the office. And you strictly told us not to come visiting. We need you at the office, sir."

"I'm not coming."

"Till when sir?"

"I don't know yet, but I'm not coming."

"How will we run the affairs of the company without you, sir?"

My ears were listening in on his conversation with his secretary, Derek. He had not gone to the office for close to a month now. He had barely left the house, and had only grown more angry and sourly.

He had banished the maid that used to clean his room from ever stepping feet in it. I had to take on the responsibility of cleaning his room as I was doing now.

It was as though he wanted to live continually as a hermit. To stay away from the rest of the world. To be alone. This was the third call I had witnessed him receiving about work and he was still refusing to attend work.

I sighed. How was his healing ever going to happen if he remained like this? The doctor said every effort would help but he was not making an effort. Not even the slightest one.

I was getting drained but I had to be strong and take care of him. He was my husband and even though that was on paper only, he was my responsibility. And since I knew he was always angry, I was careful not to make it worse.

Ellen was still her selfish self, she could care less about anything going on in the house. We were not as close anymore because I suddenly had a responsibility, there was no much time to chit chat.

A knock sounded on the door and I wondered who it was. I left the floor I was moping to go get it. It was Ellen and she was dressed. Exclusively so in a grey skirt and white shirt. Simple colors but she managed to make them look vibrant on her.

"Hey." She beamed at me.

"Hi." A befuddled smile spread my lips as I gave way for her to step into the room.

Blake raised his head to grace her with his blank stare. I momentarily paused to know what she had come for and why she was dressed like that.

It was obvious she had come to see her brother.

"Hello, Blake. How are you today?" She wore the nicest, brightest smile.

He merely grunted before lowering his head to focus on the video call he was still on.

"I'm going to the office." She announced.

"What?!" I quirked a surprised brow.

That got Blake's attention because he was whipping his head up so fast and glaring at her. "What for?"

"Come on, big brother. I just want to help you out. You're not fit yet to start work. As family, it's only normal I step in for you until you get better." That bright smile was still on her face.

"Don't step a feet into my company!" Blake was already seething with anger.

"For how long do you want to leave dad's legacy hanging?! You're not making any move to even continue with the company. What is wrong with you, Blake?" Ellen shot back at him.

Uh-oh. This was not going to go well and at the end of it, Blake would want to take it out of me.

"Ellen, if..."

"Sir, are you there? I just got a message now. Mr. Dalwin is coming in by nine, that's two hours away. Says he wants to meet with you." Derek, his secretary interrupted the verbal showdown that was just about to kick off.

"The Canadian hotel tycoon?" Blake was back to talking to Derek.

"Yes sir. Maybe if you can just come or find a representative."

"Tell Mr. Dalwin I'm not available." His expression grew stonier.

I heaved a sigh. He was such a stubborn, proud soul. So he would rather lose a client than go to work or receive help from his sister?

"What? Sir..."

Blake clicked the end button on his laptop. His expression was no better. I really felt pity for him. Maybe he was used to having no one help him and now saw it as a solid proof of his incapability.

But I did not think Blake was incapable. In short, he was anything but. Ability to walk or not, he was still the same person. He could even be better but he was choosing not to be. And that was just worrying me on a different whole new level.

I approached the bed warily, not wanting to upset him. "Blake, maybe allowing Ellen is a good idea. She'll cover up for you. You won't have to keep losing clie..."

"Are you done cleaning the room?" Pair of cold, angry eyes landed on me. I shivered slightly from under his stare, those eyes that had darkened in resentment could as well fire multiple jagged, sharp icicles my way.

Feeling embarrassed and humiliated before his sister, I cast her a pained glance and moved to continue what I was doing.

"Stop acting like a child, Blake. Don't deny it. You need someone to step in until you get better." Ellen persuaded further but one could tell she was already losing her mind.

I wiped the home appliances in the room. Using the dust catcher to chase dust away from the gadgets in the room. I was trying not to be hurt over now he'd discarded my opinion, talking at me as though I was some maid.

"Who asked you to step in?" Blake spat.

"I am doing you a favor. This is dad's..."

"News flash, Ellen, dad is dead. This is mine to do as I so wish. Now get out!" The calmness emanating from his tone should not be underestimated. Fury brewed somewhere between those spoken words.

"So because dad is dead, it gives you the right to just do as you like with his company? So you'd rather lose all that fame and money and reputation the Bertram Corporation has made over the years just because someone is feeling too sad to continue. And stupid pride would not allow this person..."

"I dare you to complete that statement and see what will happen to you." Blake threatened.

Ellen merely chuckled. "What will you do? Can you even do anything? Try standing on your feet first before..."

"Ellen!"