I am the Queen

In front of the private room of Robert Krisnov, Evangeline looked at the man lying on the bed before a protective glass.

"Please wear your suit and don't remove your mask and gloves under any circumstances. You have five minutes," the doctor said before entering Roberts Krisnov's room with a nurse. They did something with a machine and removed the oxygen in Robert's mouth.

Only one person was allowed inside the unit, so Eric and Fredrick would have to wait in the waiting room.

Looking at Robert, Evangeline suddenly had an urge to turn back. Maybe if she didn't see those tubes and the pale skinny man on the bed, she would still believe that Robert Krisnov, her proud and arrogant father is still out there, enjoying his power and wealth.

Just maybe . . . maybe she could still cling to that illusion if she didn't see him.

"Evan . . . geline?"

Evangeline blinked. But it was no use. Her tears were pouring beyond her control upon hearing her father's voice. Somehow, she found herself inside his room. Alone and shaking. And she was right. It was better if she didn't saw him.

At least, he would die with her hate. At least he would die with the image of him being proud and arrogant in her mind.

Not like this.

Never like this.

She couldn't even recognize the man. And she wondered how he could still be alive with all the tubes and needles.  And how he could still talk with a body so thin and wrinkled that bones were sticking to his skin.

She couldn't recognize him. Not his face. Not his voice. But his eyes. Those eyes that felt like she was back in her childhood still holding his hand.

Robert smiled. Eyes shone in what seemed like tears. "You're probably thinking . . . I deserve this," he said, pausing each second to catch his breath.

He then looked at the ceiling. "I didn't . . . want you to know. But I guess . . . deep within my heart . . . I wanted to see you before I go."

Evangeline didn't speak. She bit her bottom lip to prevent it from shaking. She crossed her arms, refusing to give in to her emotions. She had to remain cold, for this man didn't deserve her sympathy.

"It's fine if you won't forgive me. I'm not even asking your forgiveness . . . I don't deserve it . . . But . . . I want you to hear me out."

Robert took in some air and his eyes closed. Pain crossed his face as he did. "There was a time, my goal was always to give you and your mother all there is in the world. And along the way, as I made it a reality, I lost myself. A taste of power results in ever-increasing ambition until I could no longer control my greed."

Robert sighed. "Being rich was the goal . . . but as I laid here. All I could think was you and your mother and the times that life was just simple. Simple, but we were happy. And I realized . . . in the end . . . I just wanted the calm. The warm smile on your mother's face when I come home. The sweet words and warm hugs from your little hands."

Roberts closed his eyes, and a tear slid from the side of his cheek. "The noise of the outside world is sickening, and I'm so tired. Very tired. I . . . I crave for silence."

Evangeline looked to the side and wiped away her tears. No matter what. "It's too late . . ."

Robert smiled, but his tears didn't stop pouring. "I know." Then his face turned serious. "But Eva . . . your brother . . . he is still small . . . Please take care of him."

Evangeline scoffed. It hurts her throat. "And why would I do that? Why would I take care of the son of that whore who ruined my family?"

". . .  Because he is innocent," Robert said after a while. "If the board finds out about my condition, they will do everything to acquire Frozen. What will happen to your brother, then?"

"And what made you think I care?"

". . . I can't force you. But at the very least . . . Grant this final whish of mine. I don't . . . I don't have anyone to ask."

Evangeline's heart caved in, but her will remained strong. How could she forget that this man was the cause of her pain. Her mother's pain for so many years? How could pain and suffering that long just suddenly vanish with just his impending death? Until his grave, she would not shed a tear.

Robert closed his eyes and faced the ceiling. He opened his mouth and forced out the words with difficulty. "I'm sorry . . . Eva . . . if you wanted to help . . .  talk to Fredrick . . ."

As he gasped like every breath was life, his eyes remained closed, but his face was contorting in pain.

Evangeline wiped her tears when the doctor got in and signaled for the end of the visit. Without looking back, she got out of the room.

Inside the car, Fredrick said, "I don't think we should inform Mr. Krisnov about Miss Lin being in jail charged with murder with your mother. It would do more harm than good in his current condition."

"Why not? He's also responsible for my mother's death," Evangeline said with indifference.

Eric looked at Evangeline. There was something about her that wasn't right. Her eyes were dull, while her sarcastic smile was nowhere on her face. It unnerved him, but he understood. Even Evangeline would feel turmoil over finding out the true culprit of her mother's death and her father's health in just one day. In fact, he was amazed that she hadn't passed out from all the emotions.

Fredrick took in some air. "Miss Heart, I think you already know that Frozen is on the verge of chaos right now. Without Mr. Krisnov and Miss Chery Lin in jail while his only heir is just a year old . . . it's only a matter of time before the board knew of Mr. Krisnov's' condition and they would take the chance to make Frozen theirs."

Fredrick paused for a moment and looked at Evangeline. "The only way to save Frozen and remained in the hands of the legitimate heir is for you to act and seek the help of Mr. Mike Lantis. Though he is part of the board, he rarely showed in meetings and is the only person who is uninterested in acquiring Frozen."

Evangeline's piercing eyes stopped Fredrick from explaining. "And what made you think that I would help that company? What made you think that I'm going to help that man who abandoned us."

Fredrick caught his tongue. For a time, he couldn't speak. He opened his mouth. "B-but . . . don't you care that Frozen might go to someone else's hands? At least with your help, it will remain in––"

"Mr. Krisnov's name?" Evangeline interrupted, "then that company should go to hell for all I care. It's the reason why my mother and I suffered anyway. I will gladly see it fall rock bottom with a big smile."

Fredrick was silent before he released a sigh. He slumped on the couch of the car. He didn't care about manners any more. Why did he care so much about a company that was not even his? He is just an employee . . . he is just a secretary. He didn't have any right to interfere in the happenings of the company. He just followed his orders.

But images of Mr. Krisnov's burning night candles to finish his works itched in his mind. He was a witness to how Mr. Krisnov worked so hard to expand Frozen. The business deals after deals he took. The business plans plastered in his office and the strategies he spoke with a shine in his eyes. Mr. Krisnov might not be a good father or a person, but no one could deny that he was a person to look up to when it comes to business.

Frozen was Mr. Krisnov's life, and he, a person by his side, who witnessed how Frozen grew under his hand, refused to give it to someone else.

Frederick picked something in his pocket and handed Evangeline a small envelope. This was his last trump card, and he hoped, with all his heart, that it would work.

"I know I couldn't possibly understand your pain. But I hope you will reconsider once you saw this," Fredrick said, looking Evangeline in the eyes.

Evangeline didn't grab the envelope. She just looked at it. But when Fredrick didn't have an ounce of intention of pulling his arm back, she snatched the envelop and opened its contents.

There was nothing inside except a picture. A picture of a one-year-old child who reminded her when times were simple and happy, and her family was complete.

"It's your brother. Without his parents, you are the only one left to take care of him."

Evangeline didn't speak. Her face remained stoic, but her chin was quivering, and her eyes were melting—the only betrayal of what she was feeling.

As she was immersed in her emotions, Eric by her side was in deep thought.. The name that Fredrick mentioned rang in his mind.