One Last Call Before Goodbye Chapter 13
Marshall held Darlene’s hand as they walked out of the café. The wind was stronger than before, carrying a chill that rushed against their faces.
Darlene coughed as the wind caught her, instinctively raising her hand to cover her mouth.
Marshall immediately stopped, turned around, and looked at her. “Are you okay?”
His tone was gentle, but Darlene could hear the tension beneath it.
She lowered her hand and smiled. “I’m fine, it’s just a bit windy.”
Marshall took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
The coat still carried his warmth, and as she wrapped it around herself, Darlene suddenly felt a sting in her nose.
“Let’s go, let’s head home first.”
Darlene followed him for a couple of steps, then suddenly remembered something and stopped.
“You… you’re really not going back?”
Marshall knew what she was asking and shook his head. “I’m not going back.”
“But your mom—”
Marshall interrupted her, his voice calm. “Lena, my mom needs time to accept it, but that’s her issue. My issue is being with you.”
Darlene lowered her eyes, staring at the two overlapping shadows on the ground, and was silent for a long time.
She finally spoke, her voice very soft. “Aren’t you afraid? Having nothing left, starting over from scratch, aren’t you scared?”
Marshall didn’t answer right away.
He stopped, turned around, and looked down at her.
“I’m afraid, but what scares me more is losing you again.”
Darlene’s heart trembled suddenly.
She looked up and met his eyes, her heart fluttering.
Marshall took her hand again. “Come on, let’s go back and find Louise. There are some things we need to plan carefully.”
When they got home, Louise was sitting on the sofa, looking at her phone.
She heard the door open, looked up, and was clearly surprised to see the two of them walk in holding hands.
Her gaze landed on the men’s coat over Darlene’s shoulders, then she looked at Marshall and raised her eyebrows.
“So… you made up?”
Before Darlene could answer, Marshall spoke up.
“Louie, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
Louise put down her phone, sat up straight, and glanced between the two of them.
“Go ahead.”
“Go ahead.”
The three of them sat down on the sofa.
Marshall held up two fingers. “Two things. First, Lena’s illness can’t be delayed any longer. I’ll take her to the hospital tomorrow for a full check-up and to confirm a treatment plan.”
Darlene wanted to say something, but when Marshall glanced at her, the words caught in her throat.
He continued, “Second, I’ll handle the money issue. My savings can last us for a while. I plan to work while preparing for the medical licensing exam. Once I get the license, we won’t have to worry about where to go.”
He paused. “As for my mom, she won’t give up easily for now, but I won’t let her hurt Lena again.”
Louise listened, was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Darlene.
“And you? What do you think?”
Darlene was caught off guard by the question.
She looked at Marshall, then at Louise, and suddenly felt as if it wasn’t real.
Just yesterday, she had been packing her things, preparing to leave alone.
Today, she was sitting here, listening to Marshall say, “together.”
She took a deep breath. “I… I want to try.”
Louise looked at her for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.
She stood up and clapped her hands. “Alright, then let’s try.”
She walked over to Marshall and held out her hand.
“Marshall, I’m entrusting Lena to you. If you ever make her carry everything alone again, I won’t let you off.” Marshall stood up and shook her hand.
“Louie, I won’t.”