Chapter 174 Waiting for You to Come Home
"Alexa?"
The moment that warm, mellow voice came through the phone, Rebecca froze in place, eyes wide.
Tears instantly streamed down her face.
So did Layla's.
Completely absorbed in the phone call, Alexa didn't notice their reaction and asked with a beaming smile, "Henry, how's the work going on your end? Is everything going smoothly?"
"Pretty well..."
The voice on the other end replied with a laugh, "After all these years, I can't believe I'm actually using those foreign languages I learned back then. Alexa, how are you? Feeling any better?"
Alexa nodded, "Much better! But it's strange—this illness came out of nowhere. I can't even remember how I got sick or how I ended up in the hospital. It's like I have amnesia."
A sigh came from the other end. "The moment my plane landed, Layla called to say you'd passed out. I said I'd come right back, but Layla and Becca wouldn't let me. Layla said she was there and told me not to worry. Becca told me to keep pushing forward, that she and Layla would take care of you..."
His voice filled with guilt. "Alexa, I'm so sorry! Don't worry, I'll finish up as quickly as I can and come back..."
"Henry!"
Before he could finish, Alexa quickly interrupted him. "I'm fine now. I'm getting discharged tomorrow and going home. You stick to the plan—do what you need to do. Whether it's three months, six months, or a year, Becca and I will wait for you to come home. Take your time! I won't allow you to work overtime late into the night just to come home earlier. If I find out, I'll be angry!"
"Alexa..."
A sigh sounded, and his voice responded steadily, "Don't worry, I'll eat on time and go to bed early. I promised you I'd stay with you forever!"
"That's more like it!"
Alexa nodded with a smile, then pulled the phone away to check the time. Her voice shot up, "It's past one in the morning there, isn't it? Why aren't you asleep yet? Henry!"
"Honey, good night. I love you!"
As if picturing her dad getting caught in a lie, then hastily hanging up, quickly turning off his phone, and diving under the covers to sleep—the comical image made Rebecca cry even harder.
On the hospital bed, Alexa tried calling again.
"Sorry, the number you have dialed is switched off..."
After hanging up, Alexa looked at Layla helplessly. "See? If I hadn't called, I wouldn't have caught him staying up late again. None of them let me have peace of mind. And Becca, you need to get back to school..."
She turned her head and saw Rebecca's tear-stained face.
Alexa froze. "Becca, what's wrong?"
"Dad's a big meanie..."
Rebecca said with red-rimmed eyes, "I miss him so much, but he didn't even mention me."
Alexa immediately laughed.
This kind of thing used to happen all the time.
Dad was on a business trip.
Or Mom away traveling.
When the couple talked on the phone, their words were filled with longing and concern for each other.
Only after hanging up would they remember her.
Then they'd send a Facebook message: [Tell Becca we miss her so much!]
Every time that happened, Rebecca didn't want to reply.
But this time was different. If she could, she really wanted to take the phone and ask when he was coming back. She missed him so much!
"Mom, I miss Dad so much..."
One cried, one comforted, and after a long while, the hospital room finally quieted down.
Rebecca rubbed her somewhat swollen eyes and got up to leave.
Walking out, after the hospital room door closed, Rebecca lowered her voice and asked, "Layla, what was that phone call from Dad about?"
Rebecca had heard clearly—that was definitely her dad's voice.
Opening her mouth, her gaze falling on Rebecca behind her, Layla smiled and gave her a gentle push. "Go ask Mr. Windsor!"
Rebecca turned around and saw Frederick standing a few steps away.