BIT 22_BIT - AliNovel

Chapter 22 

 Reba’s eyes widened as she nervously swallowed. “What? You’re just joking, right?” she replied, halfughing, but Nichs didn’t smile at all. “Oh,e on, this isn’t the right time for jokes. Shouldn’t we be discussing the best treatment for you?” Reba tried to change the subject.

 Nichs turned his gloomy face away, staring down the empty hospital corridor. “Becky, I’m at stage three gliostoma. I doubt there’s much chance of me living much longer.

 “Nic! Stop, okay? There’s always a chance to recoverpletely! I know many cancer survivors; you just need to believe and trust that your efforts will yield good results,” Reba insisted, squatting in front of Nichs and holding both his hands.

 Nichs sighed deeply. “I can’t face all this alone-”

 “You’re not alone! Hey, I’m here! We’ll get through this together, okay?” Reba nodded, assuring Nichs that she meant every word.

 Nichs‘ eyes lit up. “Then let’s get married! At least once, I want to feel what it’s like to be loved by someone I love. My life may notst much longer, and I don’t want to die with regrets…”

 Reba was taken aback. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, at a loss for words. “Nic, we’ll talk about thister, okay? I’m going to meet with your doctor to discuss the treatment you’ll undergo,” she said, standing up.

 “Don’t! I mean, I already discussed it earlier with her.” Nichs grabbed Reba’s hand, stopping her.

 Reba frowned.

 “y and?”

 “I’ll undergo periodic chemotherapy at home. There will be a nurse and doctor visits to assist me,” Nichs answered, nodding his head.

 “Okay then, I promise I’ll be there whenever you need me. And shouldn’t we hire a caregiver, you know? Just in case-”

 fine! You know what? If you don’t want to be with me, you don’t need to “No! I’ll be make me look like a dying patient by hiring a caregiver to take care of me! You’d better go back to the hotel. I’ll drive you!” Nichs stood up, his face reddening with anger.

 11:32 Wed, Aug 14 ti

 日常+81%廳

 Reba ran her fingers through her long hair, confused. She sighed deeply and matched Nichs‘ pace. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just-”

 “It’s just you don’t want the hassle of being with me through this crisis. Well, that makes sense! You’re a rising star right now, and I’d only hinder your career,” Nichs ranted, walking quickly.

 “Nic,e on! I never thought that way! I will stand by you through all of this, I promise! But marriage isn’t a solution,” Reba said desperately, facing a difficult choice. She had just felt relieved to be free from her unhappy rtionship with Nichs and was afraid of falling into the same trap again.

 Nichs stopped in his tracks. “At least stay with me. I’ll really need your presence,” he pleaded with a sad face that touched Reba. They stared at each other in silence for a few moments until Reba finally responded, “At least give me some time to think, this is all very shocking for me too.”

 “I know, I’m sorry.” Nichs released her hand and continued walking with a sullen

 face.

 “Let me drive.” Reba snatched the car keys from Nichs and jumped into the driver’s seat. Nichs didn’t protest and remained silent throughout the ride back to his apartment.

 Minutester.

 “Give me your phone,” Reba snapped after parking Nichs‘ car in his apartment’s garage. Nichs frowned in surprise, but before he could say anything, she had already grabbed it.

 “You just need to press number one if you need me, okay? And number two if you need 911, Reba instructed while quickly setting up speed dial on Nichs‘ phone.

 Nichs looked at her in surprise and then nodded twice.

 “Alright, I’m heading back to the hotel now. I have a lot of work to do tomorrow and remember, I’m just one call away! Okay? I’ll order healthy food for your dinner, so you don’t need to cook. Good night, Nic!” Reba waved her hand and jumped out of Nichs‘ car, walking casually out of the parking area.

 From inside the car, Nichs stared at the woman he admired without blinking. His feelings for Reba were more than just ordinary love; there was a strong desire to

 possess her that he could never shake off.

 +81% N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.

 By the roadside, in front of Nichs‘ apartment building, Reba stood waiting for an empty cab to pass by. After several minutes without getting a ride, she walked along the still–busy sidewalk. She nced at her watch; it was 8:00 p.m.

 “Shit, I’m starving,” she whispered, rubbing her t stomach. After passing two blocks, she saw an Italian restaurant she used to visit with Harvey when they were together. She clearly remembered how Harvey was crazy about the Ravioli Al Pesto they served. She shook her head, trying to push Harvey out of her mind.

 “Buona Sera! Dine in or take out?” asked a host who greeted her at the entrance. “Dine in and delivery–order,” replied Reba, she intended to order delivery for Nichs.

 “Okay, this way, Ma’am!” The host in white and red attire led her to a small table for two in the corner near the window. After ordering her favorite food, Reba sat at her table, staring nkly at a sunflower in a water–filled vase in front of her.

 ‘What’s wrong with my life? Why does Nichs have to get sick just when I’m about to break free from him? I have every right to ignore him, but he’s helped me so much, and shouldn’t I do the same?”

 While she was busy debating with herself, a waitress approached her.

 “Ma’am, would you mind sharing your table with another customer? All tables are full,

 So we-

 Π

 Reba nodded, “Yeah, no problem. I’ll just eat and then leave anyway,” she replied, shrugging indifferently.

 “Great! Thank you!” the waitress eximed before walking away. While waiting for her order, she took a piece of warm wee bread and dipped it into the balsamic sauce on the table.

 “Yummy, it tastes the same,” she muttered, slightly cheered up by the warm focia bread melting in her mouth.

 As she reached for her second piece of bread, she saw the waitress who had spoken to her earlier approaching with someone behind her. The closer they got, the faster her heart pounded. She put her focia back in the basket, her back suddenly tensing.

 “Harvey? Are you stalking me?”

 11:32 Wed, Aug 14 ti W

 Harvey looked just as surprised as she was. “Becky? Why are you here?”

 “Sorry, you guys know each other?” the waitress interjected.