One Last Call Before Goodbye Chapter 17
When Marshall returned, Darlene was sitting by the window, pen in hand, making changes to her design draft.
Marshall noticed that her eyes were a little red.
“Did something happen today?” He placed the insulated container on the table, opening it as he asked casually.
Darlene put down her pen. “No, why do you ask?”
Marshall glanced at her and began to lay out the dishes one by one.
He had recently started cooking for himself—after finishing up at the company during the day, he would find time to go to Louise’s house to make a couple of dishes, pack them in an insulated container, and bring them to the hospital.
“It’s nothing… Takeout isn’t healthy. Your health is the most important thing right now.”
Darlene looked at the steaming dishes on the table, picked up her fork, and took a bite.
“It’s delicious.”
Marshall reached out and gently ruffled her hair.
The two of them finished their meal quietly.
Marshall put away the dishes and wiped his hands. “By the way, I spoke to the doctor today. The surgery is scheduled for three days from now.”
Darlene’s movements paused for a moment.
“Don’t think about anything these next few days. Just rest well.”
“Okay,” she replied.
Marshall looked at her distracted expression and had a rough guess in his heart.
He put down what he was holding and stood up. “Take your time eating. I’m going out to make a call—there are still some things at work I haven’t finished.”
“Alright.”
He walked out of the hospital room, gently closed the door, then leaned against the corridor wall and closed his eyes for a moment.
He dialed Tabitha’s number.
The call was answered after three rings. Tabitha’s voice came from the other end, as composed as ever: “So, have you made up your mind?”
Marshall’s voice was very deep. “Mom, did you come to the hospital today?”
There was a two-second silence on the other end.
“Yes, I did,” Tabitha didn’t deny it. “What, did she complain to you?”
“She didn’t tell me anything.” Marshall took a deep breath. “Mom, I’ve told you before, don’t interfere in my affairs anymore.”
“If I didn’t interfere, would your company have lasted this long?” Tabitha let out a cold laugh.
“Mardy, you’re my son. I can’t just watch you get dragged down by a sick girl. You know better than I do what illness she has—stomach cancer. No one can say how long she’ll live after the surgery. Is it worth it for you to waste three or five years on her?”
Marshall’s fingers tightened around the phone, his knuckles turning white.
“Whether it’s worth it or not is for me to decide.”
“You—”
He interrupted her. “Mom, let’s make a deal.”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
“What kind of deal?”
Marshall calmed himself. “You stop interfering in things between Lena and me, and leave Louise’s job alone as well.
“Give me three years. I won’t rely on any family resources, and I’ll build up the company myself.”
“And if you can’t do it?”
He paused for a moment. “If I can’t, I’ll come back and take over the family business. From then on, I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
A sigh came from Tabitha’s end. “Do you really like her that much?”
“Yes.”
“Even if she might not live for many more years?”
Marshall closed his eyes. “As long as she’s alive, I’ll love her. If she leaves, I won’t love anyone else for the rest of my life.”
There was a long silence on the other end of the call. “Alright, I agree. Three years.”
“But remember this—I won’t pay a single dollar for her medical bills, and I won’t accept her as my daughter-in-law just because you feel sorry for her. You’re gambling with your own life. If you lose, don’t come back crying.”
“I won’t cry.”
The call ended.
He stood in the corridor for a long time. Only when the sun had set did he turn and push open the door to the hospital room.
Darlene was leaning against the headboard reading. When she saw him come in, she asked, “Finished your call?”
“Yeah.” He walked over and took her hand.
Her hand was very cold. He wrapped it in his palm, trying to warm it up.
“Lena, the surgery will be a success.”
Darlene looked into his eyes, and in them she saw a stubbornness she knew all too well.
“Yes, it will be a success.”
Marshall began to postpone as much company business as possible, spending most of his time in the hospital room.
Darlene tried to persuade him to go back to work, but he said, “I can work here too.”
Sometimes Darlene felt that he was even more nervous than she was.