Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Leah
When the doctor announces that Caleb’s tumor is just a harmless blob, inner Leah lets out a howl of joy while the outer one shows her happiness by giving Caleb’s hand a death squeeze. He releases a tiny yelp at the force I’m using but says nothing since the doctor isn’t done speaking yet.
“While the tumor isn’t cancerous, it still needs to be removed,” e doctor explains in a slow voice as if we were kids. “We’ll schedule surgery for next week.”
“And how long will the surgery take?” I ask after the obvious have already been said. I mean, who the heck wouldn’t operate
on a tumor?
The doctor meets my eyes, still not smiling. “The procedure itself should take about 4-6 hours, and then Mr. Steele will need to stay in the hospital for a few days for observation.”
Caleb wears a mask of calm as he absorbs the information, but an feel the slight tremor in his hand, betraying his He doesn’t like how long the operation will take more than I do.
“What are the risks?” he asks
anxiety.
– The doctor’s expression turns grave. “As with any brain surgery, there are risks. Infection, bleeding, seizures. And given the
location of the tumor, there’s a possibility of changes to personality or cognitive function.”
I feel Caleb stiffen when he heard the word ‘personality‘ and my heart clenches. I know he’s still worried about how this tumor may have affected our relationship.
“But there are some positives,” the doctor continues when he notices our darkened expression, “the good news is that we caught this early. The tumor is relatively small and in an accessible location. I’m optimistic about a full recovery.”
After the doctor leaves, Caleb and I sit in silence for a long moment. Finally, he turns to me, his blue eyes troubled.
“Leah, I need you to promise me something,” he says softly.
“Anything.” I reply without hesitation.
“If I become an asshole after the tumor is removed and you think I won’t make a good father, please leave me. I’m already in the process of opening a bank account in your name and trust me, I will make it so that you can survive on your
I gasp. “What the hell, Caleb? I’m not leaving you! Don’t even plan for that to happen!”
“But I have to plan for the worst for your sake, Leah!”
own.”
1 flinch at his loud voice. He never raises his voice at me, not even when I’m being super dramatic at home. It makes me realize that he is being serious, but so am I–I don’t want to leave him. He is the love of my life!
“Caleb, I-”
“No, listen to me, Leah,” this time, he interrupts me in a pleading voice. “This tumor has existed for a while, and if the doctors are right, I probably had it the first time we met. It would make sense, seeing how I was ready to propose to you after a week in Tokyo.”
“My lips tremble. “Hurricane romances exist, you know. It might not have been the tumor.”
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19.05 Sat. Feb 1 B
Chapter 21
“But what if it was and is the rumor? What if this is not real. Leab
How can he say that?!
The inner pai
pain I feel must be visible on my face because Caleb ilinches as if it were me who just said something hurtful to him. His eyes are getting more shiny by the second, and the tears he is refusing to shed tell me he doesn’t like what he said either. Yet he won’t let this go and opens his mouth to say more painful words.
“I know, but what if this isn’t love? What if these feelings are created by the tumor, and it turns out I’m no longer in love with you after the operation? What if I don’t love our children after 1 wake up? That could happen! You need to be ready for anything! And no, I’m not saying this to be an asshole–I’m saying this because I fucking care about you, Leah!”
A minute of looking at his handsome face with pure silence in the room tells me words won’t get us out of this argument. None of us is willing to back down and admit defeat, but since I can’t handle the thought of losing the man I hoped to call my husband one day, I slowly move toward the door.
Caleb’s eyes widen when he realizes I’m about to flee the scene, but he says nothing, probably knowing I need time to melt everything, just like I assume he does. And who can blame us for needing that? We are about to get married, and we live together–fuck! We are about to have two kids, and now everything might change due to a tumor? How am I supposed to just be okay with that? I’m not a robot!
“I…I have to go.” I whisper before pushing up the door. Caleb doesn’t try to stop me from leaving, and I don’t look at him before I go. I can’t. I’m not strong enough
My heart is bleeding, and I feel like screaming. Instead, I walk aimlessly through the hospital corridors. In most of the rooms. I see loved ones hugging each other, and even though I should be happy for them, I feel sad.
If Caleb’s personality changes after his operation, then we won’t have a sweet reunion. It hurts to think about, especially the possibility that our whole love story was a lie, that nothing we did never really mattered.
Tears run down my face, but I don’t let the sobs come out. I fight them away tooth and nail until I find myself in the hospital chapel, a small, quiet room with a few wooden pews and stained glass windows. It’s empty, thankfully. I sink into one of the pews, my hands cradling my swollen belly.
“Hey there, little ones,” I whisper to my unborn children. “Your daddy is being a bit silly right now, but don’t worry. We’re not going anywhere.”
Having said that, I’m not sure if it’s the truth. What if Caleb is right? What if he wakes up from surgery a completely different person? Someone who doesn’t love me or want our babies? What happens to our family then?
