Chapter 25

IT HAD only been a couple of hours since they parted, but Chaya could already sense Kyrie was exhausted.

“I’m afraid I might spend the night here,” he said on the other line.

Chaya was already in bed. She was trying to stay alert because she was waiting for his call. She could not go to sleep not until knowing that Kyrie was fine.

“Is Avery really all right?”

She heard him breathe.

“I’ll tell you everything when we see each other, all right?”

“Can I visit you at the hospital tomorrow? I want to see it for myself, too. I’m worried about her.”

“Okay. Then, I’ll see you tomorrow. Don’t stay up late.”

“You, too. Goodbye, I love you.”

“I love you.”

Chaya put her phone on the nightstand after the call. She sighed and stared up at the ceiling.

What was really going on?

The next morning, Chaya got up early and prepared to leave for the hospital. She didn’t tell Kyrie what time she would be going, though he already told her which hospital Avery was brought to and which room she was admitted to.

She borrowed Ellie’s car. She did not have a hard time locating it. Thanks to a navigation app.

“Chaya?”

Her face lit up when she bumped into Abby as soon as she reached the floor of Avery’s room.

“Mrs. Page.” She hugged her like it was the most natural thing to do.

“I’m glad you’re here, dear.”

“I already told Kyrie I’m coming. Where is he?”

“He’s in Avery’s room. He hasn’t eaten anything yet.”

She glanced at the room next to them. “Is Kiel here?”

“No, but he’ll be here with Kelly in a while. They can’t discharge Avery yet.”

“What is really going on with Avery, Mrs. Page?”

Abby gave her a sad smile.

“I think you should hear it from them, Chaya.” She tapped Chaya’s shoulder. “Do you want anything?”

She slowly shook her head. “Thank you, Mrs. Page, but I’m good. I guess I’ll just go and talk to them.”

Abby nodded. “All right. See you later.”

Chaya took a deep breath and slowly walked toward the room when Abby left in the opposite direction. Her heart was pounding, not knowing what she might find out there.

The door was open, and Chaya froze at the sight that welcomed her.

Avery and Kyrie were sitting on the bed. Her lips were pressed into his. They weren’t moving, and so was she. She could not even bring her eyes to blink at the shock.

Avery noticed her first, and she pulled away from Kyrie at once.

“Chaya,” she called in a weak voice.

Kyrie stood up at once and faced her direction. He looked shocked, too. “Chaya,” he said and rushed to her side. “It’s not what you think. Believe me.”

She swallowed the imaginary lump in her throat.

“C-Chaya, can we talk?” Avery said.

“Let’s just talk later,” she told Kyrie without glancing at him. She walked past him and stood by Avery’s bed.

Kyrie understood and left the room quietly.

“It was not his fault. I’m the one who kissed him,” Avery began. She took a deep breath, but tears could not stop from falling from her eyes. “I still love him. I tried to love another man after him, but I only ended up fooling myself. It was all my fault. I let him go. I thought I didn’t need him. When I found out I was pregnant with Kiel, he was already gone. It was my pride that stopped me from telling him we have a son.”

Avery wiped her tears with the back of her fragile hand.

“W-why did you let him go?” Chaya asked.

“I didn’t want to be a burden to him. A few years ago, I found out I have lung cancer.”

Avery’s revelation came like a bomb exploding in front of Chaya’s eyes.

“S-so, I lied and told him our relationship would only hinder me from reaching my dreams. I thought that was easier, and he’ll get over me easily. But Kiel came unexpectedly. He gave me a reason to fight, Chaya, but unfortunately, I only became worse. S-so, I used up all my money to come here and make sure my son is in a good place before I die.

“I still love Drew, but it’s just sad to think that it’s not me anymore. He found you. You make him happy. I could not just deny that. I wanted to hate you, Chaya. But how? You’re everything I’m not.”

Chaya’s lips quivered as pain sliced through her chest.

“I-I’m sorry…” was all she could say.

“Would it be too much to ask you to lend him to me just until my time is up?” Avery implored.

A tear fell from Chaya’s eye.

“P-please, Chaya. I just want to be with the man I love. Let me be with Drew for the last time.” Avery reached for her hand as she sobbed.

Chaya could not pull away. It hurt to see and listen to Avery. Why did she have to end up this way?

Kyrie was sitting outside the room, his face buried in his hands. He quickly stood up when he noticed her. “Chaya.”

Her lips trembled as fresh tears rolled down her face. “S-she needs you.”

He brought a hand to his mouth as tears sprang from his eyes.

“S-she needs to go back to her country. She can’t stay here that long. As soon as she’s cleared, I will fly back with her with Kiel. I don’t know how long I will be gone. I wish I could take you with me. But your life is here, and I don’t want you to suffer with me.”

A sob escaped from her throat. “D-do what you have to do.” For a moment, Chaya thought the voice didn’t come from her. “She deserves to be with you. D-don’t worry about me.”

“Chaya.” Kyrie pulled her into a tight hug like he was scared to let her go. “I’m scared.”

Her shoulders shook. “B-but you have to be strong for Avery and Kiel.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. She was scared, too. But she did not want to burden him further. “I’ll be praying for you. They’re counting on you.”

He buried his face in her hair. “Will you wait for me?”

Chaya shut her eyes tight. Just thinking about being away from him for too long, she had already died. “I-I will always be here for you.”