Phone 44

Chapter Troy’s P.O.V My heart pounded. Warmth flowed through every vein in my body. It felt like I never wanted to let go of this embrace.

“Troy…!”

I was startled by someone calling me. We quickly let go of each other.

“S–sorry sorry…. Of course, you both miss each other,” Albert said with a forced smile. Then he turned and sat on the sofa, resting his head on the backrest.

“Have a seat, Troy!” The beautiful woman in front of me seemed a bit awkward. I could still smell her distinctive perfume, a scent I longed for every moment.

“Where’s Gillian? I miss her.”

“Gillian’s at school. She’ll be back soon,” Sarah replied before heading inside.

I turned my attention back to Albert. Why did he look even paler?

He continued massaging his temples.

“Are you okay?” I asked, moving closer to him.

He didn’t answer. His eyes were closed. His fingers were still on his forehead but motionless.

My heart raced. I had a bad feeling. Why was I so worried about him?

“Albert… what’s wrong?”

He didn’t respond.

I decided to touch his shoulder.

Oh God!

Albert’s body slumped on the sofa. I kept trying to wake him up, but he remained unresponsive.

“Sarah! Sarah!” Like a madman, I shouted for Sarah.

She rushed in, carrying a tray.

Crash!

The tray fell. Sarah almost collapsed! Quickly, I caught her as she nearly fell.

“Calm down! Let’s get your husband to the hospital!”

Sarah approached Albert.

“Joshua! Josh!” Sarah kept screaming.

Joshua came over. I helped Joshua lift Albert’s body.

1/4 “Take him to the bedroom!” Sarah said.

“Why not take him to the hospital?” I asked, puzzled.

“I’ll call the doctor to come here,” Sarah replied.

My eyes widened when I saw Albert’s room. It looked like a hospital room, complete with medical equipment.

A woman entered, dressed as a nurse. She quickly attached an IV drip to Albert’s arm. What was going on with him?

I stepped out of the room. Sarah seemed busy calling someone on her phone.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?” I asked after she hung up.

She nodded.

“Sit down.”

We sat on a sofa in front of Albert’s room.

“What’s going on? What’s Albert’s illness?”

Sarah took a deep breath, trying to hold back tears. Then she spoke in a hoarse voice.

“He has a brain tumor. It’s advanced now. The doctors say he doesn’t have long.”

Sarah sobbed. I pulled her shaking body close. She couldn’t speak anymore. The burden she carried was so heavy. If only I could, I would take it all on myself.

“Cry if it helps lighten your burden.”

We sat quietly, with only Sarah’s sobs breaking the silence.

Sarah lifted her head from my chest and leaned back on the sofa. She was still beautiful, even more so with her pregnant figure.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Johnson.” A doctor with two male nurses arrived and went straight into Albert’s room.

We waited outside for nearly an hour.

The door opened, and the doctor and nurses came out.

“The patient wants to speak with Mr. Peterson,” said the white–haired doctor.

“M–me, Doc?” I replied quickly.

“Yes, please go in.”

Sarah looked at me closely as I stood up. We stared at each other in silence, lost in our thoughts.

I slowly entered the room with the strong smell of disinfectant, just like a hospital.

Albert lay weakly with an IV in his hand.

2/4 BONUS He smiled faintly. His face looked very pale. An oxygen tube was attached to his mouth and nose.

I sat on a chair beside him. I could hear his labored breathing. The man in front of me seemed to be struggling to breathe.

“Troy…” he called out with a strained breath.

“Yes. I’m here.”

“Now… I can go in peace.”

“Hey, wait! What do you mean?”

“With you here… I know Sarah and my children will be taken care of.”

“Albert, don’t…”

“Please… I beg you… Promise me!”

Albert seemed to struggle more with his breathing. I ran out of the room.

“Doctor, help! Sarah!”

They rushed in. The doctor and nurses were about to intervene, but Albert waved them off weakly. They stepped back.

“I just… want to t–talk…!”

Sarah sobbed, holding Albert’s hand. She kissed his face repeatedly.

“Darling… stay with Troy. I know he can take care of… you. Farewell…” Albert’s hand weakened and then fell.

Sarah screamed, calling out Albert’s name repeatedly.

I held her close.

“Dad! Mom, what’s wrong with Dad? Why is his whole body covered?”

Oh my God! Was that Gillian?

“Gillian, sweetheart, come see your dad!”

“What’s wrong with Dad?” The little girl looked confused. Tears began to fall from her eyes.

Meanwhile, Sarah couldn’t say anything.

I hugged them both, Sarah and Gillian, in front of Albert. So he would know that I would take care of his family for the rest of my life.