Chapter 248 TIME TO LEAVE
1971words
Tessa looks disturbed, definitely, why shouldn't she be? But, I don't want her to cry out in front of Cyrus, making him scared so I send her away. She should spend her time with Aaron. After all, these would be the last moments for Aaron to spend with his mother because once the surgery gets done she is going to leave him forever.
My heart clenches from that thought, how would Aaron react to her and Cyrus's disappearance from his life, and what about me?
Will I be able to let them go, again?
"Daddy…" Cyrus's low voice brings me back from my thoughts, "Yes," I look down at him in my arms, "I am scared." He pouts showing his misery and I try to coax him, "This will finish soon, Cyrus, don't worry, I am here."
The physician comes over to give Cyrus anesthesia while I keep talking with him about food because this is the only topic that excites him and finally in a few minutes, he dozes off in my arms.
The physician gestures for me to leave the bed and then they start preparing Cyrus's body and then the process begins.
It takes fully two hours for them to collect the amount of bone marrow they needed. They leave while guiding me with some instructions on how to keep Cyrus on his side and also keep icing his back for the swelling that might occur because of needles.
He stays unconscious while I sit beside him on the bed and watch him intently. His part is done and now, I hope Aaron's surgery will go well too.
Hours pass by, and finally, Tessa emerges from the door and I sit up in a panic, my body getting tense from each step she is taking, "How's… Aaron?" I ask in a hoarse voice, as she stands in front of me and her eyes move at Cyrus's body.
"He's fine, the surgery goes well, and he is still unconscious."
BOOM
Tessa reveals and I release a breath that has been stuck inside me, "Thank God."
"They both have done well," Tessa says while keeping her hand on my shoulder and I smile warmly, "Thank you for helping Aaron. Cyrus has finally saved him." I hold Tessa's hand squeezing it in delight and gratitude.
She remains quiet while I beam with happiness, she stays with Cyrus while I head to Aaron's ward to look for him, and after checking on him I discussed his condition with the doctor. Finally, when I am all happy and satisfied, I inform the three closest people to me, Ron, Lillian, and Jethro.
I called Ann's number too but she didn't receive my call. I wonder where she has disappeared, she had never been so careless with Aaron's health matters, why did she suddenly vanish from Aaron's life, now?
****
"A week?" Tessa looks at the doctor and exclaims, the doctor moves his glasses showing his complete displeasure from Tessa's sudden loud tone.
"This could be more, Miss. Your child needs to stay in isolation to stay protected from any harmful infection. He just got a transplant, we can't put him at risk." he says sternly and Tessa's body tenses with each word coming out of his mouth.
"We understand, doctor." I hold Tessa's hand stopping her from doing anything else and soon the doctor leaves the room.
"You can leave now, I will arrange the things for you," I tell her with a heavy heart, I know she is desperate to leave now.
"No." She snaps at me which surprises me, "I am not leaving until he comes back home safely."
What?
My jaw opens wide in shock, so then why did she show such a loud reaction to the Doctor's remark about keeping Aaron for a week in the hospital?
I thought she was desperate to leave him but here, things look different.
"It will take a week." I tell her cautiously and she looks straight at me, "I know that." her voice sterns, why is she tense?
"Can you ask Ron to drop me and Cyrus home?" She asks after a while and I nod my head. Cyrus is allowed to go back after his surgery, but still, we make him stay the night at the hospital.
He will get bored here, there is nothing for him.
I call Ron and depart Tessa and Cyrus to the gate. They leave and again I turn my attention to Aaron, my son is such a brave boy, I feel proud of him no matter how many needles got inserted in him, he always greets me with a beautiful warm smile.
I feel so blessed to have Aaron in my life, he is truly my only precious asset.
****
A week passed by, and Tessa kept coming to the hospital with the food cooked by her for me and Aaron, we have been living like a normal family of four, and even the doctor started to believe that things have turned better between me and Tessa.
But, deep inside I know, this isn't the case, she is being good for the last time, I know she is determined to leave and counting her days. She can deceive the world with her calm and normal behavior but I know something is going on inside her mind.
Her calmness is the indication of a storm, I could feel it. But, my mind is more focused on Aaron at the moment than on the reason behind her calmness and also Ann's disappearance is distressing me more.
Aaron keeps asking for her and she never attends my call.
I wonder what happened to her? There are many issues we need to discuss and many things she needs to explain to me but when she won't show up to me, how am I supposed to question her and get my answers?
****
I embrace Aaron in my arms, he is wearing a hat and a mask to cover his face while gloves on his hands. I sit inside the car and Ron immediately greets Aaron, "Morning, Aaron."
Aaron greets him politely, "Morning, Uncle."
Ron silently keeps driving while I keep Aaron close to me, I am happy that finally, he is going back to him but deep inside I know this is a bad thing too because now, Tessa will surely leave.
Ron chats with Aaron a little and keeps glancing at me in hesitation. I know he has something to tell me but I am not interested to know. Last week, he picked up and dropped Tessa to different places. I know she is busy with Aiden's work too and might meet with him too.
I heard everything they talked about last time, and now I am completely sure that Tessa never loved him and neither had any feelings for him. Whatever Aiden has for her, it's all one-sided.
Tessa never showed him any signs of being interested in him, it's his misconception. So, it doesn't matter if she meets him a thousand times, I know she won't be falling in love with him. I trust her in this.
Ron keeps looking at me for permission to speak but I simply ignore him.
When he opens the car door and I get off with Aaron in my arms, he finally speaks looking impassive, "Sir, you should."
"Ron, I don't want to know anything. I am very much tired." I tell him feeling exhausted and then walk away without giving him a single chance to protest.
"Aaron's back." Cyrus squeals with joy when he sees me approaching with Aaron in my arms and then immediately he rushes towards us, the other half of my soul.
I put Aaron down and then crouched down to pat Cyrus's head and then kiss his forehead, this day could be the last day in this mansion.
It makes my heart bleed but somehow I stay calm and keep smiling at my kids. His mother appears from the kitchen, wearing an apron, her hair wrapped in a bun, she looks like old Tessa who would always be busy cooking various dishes for me.
I miss her sight.
Her eyes light up when she sees Aaron and then immediately rushes to hold him up in her arms, she kisses him affectionately and then takes him to the sofa. She then start talking with him, completely ignoring me, as expected. I know her normal behavior exists only in the hospital, not here.
Tiredly, I find Miss Celine and give her the guide for Aaron's food because I know now Tessa won't be taking care of him anymore as she intends to leave him forever.
"I will be going to take a nap, now, please don't wake me up for lunch." I inform Miss Celine and head towards my room when Cyrus's voice stops me, "Daddy, where are you going?"
"I am going to freshen up, Cyrus," I tell him, I know he wants me to stay but I am pretty much exhausted. Maybe after freshening up, I will be able to play with him for some time, I guess.
"Cyrus, let daddy rest. He is tired." For the first time, Tessa acknowledged me, surprising me.
"Daddy's tired?" He looks up at me and I intend to shake my head when suddenly Tessa comes over and takes away Cyrus from me.
I don't argue and tiredly walk back to my room. I take a shower and in my boxers, I instantly fall asleep.
****
I was deeply lost in my sleep when I felt warmth on my face, a little wetness, the warmth moves and with entangled thoughts suddenly I open my eyes and subconsciously grip the hand closer to my face.
"Ahh…" A cry escapes from the person's mouth and I sit up, abruptly, "Tessa?" In a hoarse voice, I look in the dark.
On the other hand, I switch on the lamp and clearly see Tessa's face in front of me. Why is she in my room? On my bed?
"Uhmm, It's close to dinner time, so I just came to check if you're okay." She explains and I let go of her hand looking apologetically, "I didn't mean to."
Before I could explain, she cut me off, "It's fine, so are you coming for dinner?" She asks, standing up from the bed and looking down at me.
"Yeah, five minutes," I reply while rubbing my sleepy eyes and then finally leave my bed to wear some clothes and freshen up, it's near dinner time, I sleep for so long.
After I come out wearing my clothes, I find Tessa still in my room, what does she want? And then the thing hits me, I get it, why she has arrived in my room today, she wants to leave right?
"I'll make the arrangements for you and Cyrus, You both can leave tomorrow back to Chicago," I tell her and she opens her mouth to say something but then closes it looking blank.
"Don't worry, this time I won't betray you. I will keep my promise and send you away." I tell her assuring, I know she is still anxious but this time I won't back up from my words, my Aaron is safe and as long as he is fine and healthy I am happy.
As for Cyrus, I will try to give my visit to him and by this possibility, I would be able to see Tessy also.
I was a coward and this outcome is my punishment, no need to be more selfish or force her to stay. She would have stayed if she wanted to stay, but I know that she never wanted to stay here, not anywhere near me.
I will send her away as I had promised her.
