VISITOR

CHAPTER ONE 

I have brain cancer and three weeks to live. I still recall the sound of the bells ringing in my ears when the doctor announced it to me. It made little sense. Just six months ago, I went for tests as the symptoms of migraine, memory loss, partial blindness, and bleeding through the nose and mouth persisted. But the doctor had told my husband and me that it was just stress and my weak immune system. So, how come I have brain cancer and only three weeks to live?

Most importantly, how do I tell my husband?

My heart pounded frantically as I watched him sing the happy birthday song to me with so much delight and love.

He was the best thing to ever happen to me. My handsome prince. Julian loved me more than even my mother ever did. He cherished me and protected me with everything in him. He once said I was the only light in his world and the only thing that made sense in his life, so how was I supposed to tell that same man that I had just three weeks to live?

And then there is Lila Vaughan, Julian's beautiful cousin. She was like a bloom ever since she stepped into our lives. Julian said his aunt, her mother, had passed away, and his mother asked him for a favour to take her in. Of course, I was more than happy to receive one of Julian's relatives with open arms. Living with Lila for seven months made me realize that kindness ran in the genes of their family. Lila wasn't just kind; she was pleasant. She looked out for me and helped me with the laundry and the dishes.

We were a beautiful, happy family. I would be so cruel to relay the news to them that I was sick with cancer and going to die soon.

I fought the tears back as they rounded up the birthday song.

They both clapped gleefully, and I blew weak air on the candle.

Julian brought out a small bag shortly after. Of course, he bought me a gift.

“Happy birthday, love,” he said as he slid the bag to me. I grabbed it and opened the gift gently. My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I saw the contents.

My mom's birthstone necklace?

I pulled it out gently, my hands trembling. They had been trembling for the past eight months now, one of the brain cancer symptoms, I guess.

My eyes watered at the sight. I had always worn my mom's birthstone necklace to honour her death, even before Julian met me. But I lost it in the accident I had eighteen months ago. I had tried getting it back, but it was to no avail. Now, it was back in my hands like it never left. Thanks to my darling husband.

I stared at him. “Thank you, Julian.”

He smiled and got up, rounded the table, took the necklace, and wore it around my neck gently.

He turned me to face him. “You look beautiful, baby,” he whispered softly, then leaned in to press a kiss on my forehead.

I wrapped my weak hands around him and returned the kiss on his lips. He kissed me back, biting my lower lip.

Then I realized Lila was right there. As I turned my face to offer her an apology for not considering her presence and being such stupid lovey-doveys, I found her glaring at us. But she immediately corrected her expression, a smile spreading on her lips.

She slowly got up and said, “It seems you love birds need some space, so I'll give it to you.”

“Lila, I think it's time to get your own apartment because I promise you, very soon, we would not hide again. As a matter of fact, I'm craving a good fuck on this couch.”

Her smile disappeared at his statement but immediately returned.

“Eww. Please, wait till I get my own apartment. Do not traumatize me.”

She said this as she walked away.

Julian turned back to me, grinning heavily, but it disappeared when he saw that I wasn't smiling.

“What's wrong? Are you feeling weak again?”

My heart shattered when he said that. He always thought it was my weak immune system whenever I had the symptoms. If only he had known it was cancer eating at every one of my organs.

I managed a smile. “No, baby. I'm fine. Can you carry me to the room? My bones are weak again.”

“Sure, baby.” He lifted me bridal style effortlessly and carried me to our bedroom.

As we rounded the hallway leading to the stairs, I saw Lila standing by the door of her room, peeping through it and glaring at our retreating figures.

What's with Lila? Does she—?

“Baby?” Julian interrupted my train of thought.

“Hmm?”

“Did you hear what I said? I asked if you like my gift.”

“Oh. Yes. Of course, I do. You are the best, Julian.”

“Anything for the love of my life,” he said as he settled me gently on the bed.

He sat in the space beside me, his hand placed gently on my stomach. I watched him, the love in his eyes mirroring mine. The world is so cruel that it couldn't even let me have this pleasant man for the rest of my life; it had to cut mine short. What a jealous universe. It hates seeing a happy, beautiful couple.

“I'd take you for another test tomorrow just to be sure nothing is wrong with you. The way you fainted that other day made me worried sick, and I still can't sleep till today.”

“It's fine, Julian,” I tried, my chest aching from the few words I had spilled. I tried not to react to it.

“It's not, Tes. You coughed blood and couldn't remember what day it was. Maybe we should go to another hospital.”

But it was too late. Maybe Dr. Patrick lied, or he was just incompetent. It was too late to start figuring out any of that.

I fought back the tears once more.

“Why are you still here?” my sleepy voice whispered.

“I need to see you sleep. So close your eyes and sleep. Or do I need to sing you a song?”

I chuckled softly and closed my eyes, and sleep gradually took over me even as the migraine slowly returned.

Julian's voice was my best lullaby.

When I opened my eyes again, Julian was gone, and he wasn't beside me either. It was one in the morning, and I needed water due to my tight chest, so I got up on weak legs, almost stumbling into the bedside table, and walked out, taking the steps one after the other gently.

At the landing of the stairs, I heard soft mumbles. I frowned and looked behind me. It came from Lila's room.

Did she bring a visitor?

I ignored it because I needed water for my tight chest and kept walking toward the kitchen. Before I reached the kitchen, Lila's door opened, and I looked behind me, curious about who it was.

I froze when I saw who it was.