Chapter 6
The silence on the other end of the line was palpable.
After what felt like an eternity, Nathan let out a dry chuckle. “Simon, is she asking you to play along with her
little drama?”
Simon was so furious he could barely contain himself, choking out a shout, “Tia Clark, she…”
But before he could finish, a weak hand grasped his.
Looking down, he saw that the woman who had been unconscious just moments before had opened her eyes.
Tia Clark shook her head gently, mouthing the words, “Don’t let him come.”
At that moment, the heart monitor beside her began to show a slow but steady increase in her heart rate.
Nathan’s raspy voice came through the phone again, demanding, “What’s happening to her?”
Simon, however, had no time for explanations. Seeing the rising heart rate, he hung up in a rush and ran to
fetch the doctor.
After a thorough examination, the doctor pulled off his mask, wiping sweat from his brow, and sighed with relief. “Her vital signs are stabilizing. Quickly, move her to the observation room!”
Tia Clark was wheeled away, leaving Simon standing there, heart racing with hope.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Nathan stared at his phone long after the call had ended.
Sylvia watched him lose focus yet again because of Tia Clark, a flash of jealousy crossing her face.
“Nathan, they’re just trying to trick you again, trying to grab your attention. Tia Clark has been playing these games for years, hasn’t she?”
She reached out to take Nathan’s hand, but he stood abruptly, causing her to miss.
Nathan spoke quietly, “I have work to finish. You should head home.”
Sylvia had hoped to stay the night, but his words left her seething as she stormed out.
In his study, Nathan sat before his computer, unable to concentrate, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
Finally, he picked up the phone and dialed another assistant.
“Find out where Tia Clark is right now.”
He noticed the tremor in his own voice.
The assistant agreed, and within minutes, called back.
“Mr. Harrison, Miss Clark was in a car accident a few hours ago. She’s at Serene Memorial Hospital, but she’s out of danger now.”
Nathan held the phone in silence, the news settling over him like a heavy blanket.
The assistant, sensing the prolonged silence, hesitantly asked, “Do you… want to visit her?”
After a long pause, Nathan simply replied, “Don’t let her know I asked.”
The assistant, taken aback, agreed, and the call ended.
Nathan didn’t say another word. That night, the light in his study remained on until dawn.
The following day at the hospital, Tia Clark seemed a bit stronger.
Simon stayed by her side, pleading, “Tia, you can’t delay any longer. You must start the chemotherapy immediately, or you won’t last much longer!”
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Chapter 6
But Tia Clark simply smiled and shook her head. “That’s fine. I’ve been waiting for that day.”
Simon was stunned into silence..
His heart ached, his voice trembling, “Do you really have to punish yourself like this?”
“Death isn’t a punishment for me. Simon, thank you for being there all these years. If you truly care for me, let me make my own decisions. Please, I’m begging you.”
Five years ago, her spirit had long departed.
Now it was her body’s turn.
Within days, Tia Clark insisted on leaving the hospital, despite Simon’s objections.
The anniversary of Victoria’s death was approaching.
Tia Clark carried a bouquet of daisies to the cemetery.
She stood before the gravestone, staring at the black–and–white photo of a young, beautiful girl.
So young, so pretty, so kind, yet her life had frozen on that day.
“Victoria, you probably don’t want to see me.”
“Every night, I dream of you, and in every dream, I tell you I’m sorry.”
“I wish I could go back to that day. If I could, I wouldn’t run.”
She sat on the ground, leaning against the gravestone, just like they used to do when sharing secrets.
“You know, soon I’ll be able to join you. But I’m scared. Scared you won’t want to see me. Scared you might hate me too…”
As she spoke, tears streamed down her cheeks.
The cold wind whipped through the cemetery as Tia Clark caressed Victoria’s photo, an indescribable pain welling inside her.
In a hoarse whisper, she said, “Whether you hate me or not, I will come to find you. We promised to be best friends forever.”
