One Last Call Before Goodbye Chapter 04
Marshall’s tone wasn’t harsh. But it pressed down on Darlene’s heart, crushing her under an invisible weight of shame and finality.
She fought to hold her expression together. Just as she was about to respond, another fit of coughing overtook her.
Marshall frowned as he watched her thin shoulders shake.
He glanced at the convenience store up ahead. “Wait here,” he said, and strode off before Darlene could stop him.
All she caught was his back as he hurried away.
She stood rooted to the spot, her heart in such turmoil that even after a long while, she couldn’t calm down.
“Darlene?”
A vaguely familiar voice came from beside her. She turned, and her pupils contracted.
It was Tabitha.
She stood there in a dark, tailored coat, two assistants trailing behind her. Looked like she was here on business.
Time had been surprisingly kind to her. She looked nearly the same as she had five years ago, just as sharp, just as intimidating.
Nervousness seized Darlene. “Mrs. Hendrix…”
Tabitha gave her a once-over. “What are you doing here?”
“My sister and I moved here,” she answered.
Contempt flickered in Tabitha’s eyes. Her voice turned dismissive. “Haven’t changed much, have you? Still so small-time. Still shabby.”
Darlene lowered her head. She couldn’t find a word to say. Just like back then.
Just then, Marshall walked back with a bottle of water. He froze when he saw Tabitha.
“Mom?”
Tabitha looked just as stunned. Her gaze darted between the two of them, her expression darkening.
A sharp crack split the air.
Searing pain bloomed across Darlene’s cheek.
Marshall immediately stepped in front of her, staring at Tabitha in shock and fury. “Mom, what the hell was that for?”
Tabitha didn’t even spare him a glance. Her glare stayed locked on Darlene.
“Darlene, I thought you’d learned your lesson. I didn’t know you were this two-faced. You’ve actually got the nerve to keep stringing Marshall along?”
Marshall’s face went cold. “Mom, that’s way out of line. I’m the one who came to Darlene.”
Tabitha’s eyes blazed. “You’re getting married. Have you forgotten that? Why are you still seeing her?”
Darlene stared at Marshall’s back, and her heart clenched.
He really was getting married…
Tabitha’s tone left no room for argument. “Come back with me. Now.”
But Marshall didn’t do as she said. Instead, he took Darlene’s hand. “I’ll go wherever I want. It’s none of your concern.”
And with that, ignoring Tabitha’s flushed, furious face, he took Darlene and walked away.
Stunned, Darlene looked down at his hand holding hers. It was so warm, so safe. For just a moment, she let herself hold on, greedy for the feeling, and held him back.
But in the next breath, the reality that he was getting married cut right through the fantasy without mercy.
Panicking, she pulled her hand free. “Thanks. I’m fine…”
Marshall’s now-empty hand curled around the warmth she’d left behind. His voice came out low and hoarse. “I’m sorry…”
That single “I’m sorry” seemed to pry open the grievance she’d buried for years.
Her eyes went red. She slowly lifted her head to look at him, meeting his deep, dark gaze.
Just as she was about to come clean about everything, a violent metallic sweetness surged up from her cramping stomach.
Panicked, she turned her head and swallowed hard, forcing it back down. The urge to tell him the truth faded with it.
Forget it. She was dying, and he was getting married. Telling him wouldn’t change anything. It would only add to the grief.
She took a deep breath. “It’s fine… We’ve pretty much seen everything around here. I’ve got some things to take care of, so I’m gonna head back.”
Terrified she might cough up blood right in front of him, she turned to go.
But the next second, he caught her hand.
Stunned, she turned back and met his eyes, drawn tight with bitterness.
His voice came out rougher. “Darlene, I kept my promise to you. But you still owe me one thing.”
“What is it?” She froze.
His grip tightened, without him even realizing it. “Back then, you said that if we broke up, we’d never see each other again. Not even till the day we died.”