Madi’s POV:
Ten o’clock in the evening.
I heard my phone ring. I opened my sleepy eyes and tried to hear again if it’s really my phone ringing or I’m just dreaming.
But I heard it ring again.
“Gosh! It’s really my phone! Who is this angel from heaven who would love to call from this hour?” I asked myself feeling annoyed.
I opened my bedside lamp and took my phone, but the name flashing on the screen was none other than Gabriel’s name.
“Hello?” I greeted him in a sleepy voice.
“Hi love, good evening.”
When I heard the word love, I suddenly remembered what Stacey had told me earlier in the hospital, about Gabriel’s feelings towards me.
“Hi, what time is it there?” I asked not knowing what to say as Stacey’s words were now dancing in my mind.
“It’s 9 pm, so I called before you go to sleep.”
“Hmm… actually, I was already asleep before you call.”
“Oh… I’m sorry. It’s only ten pm in Chicago right?”
“I’m not in Chigaco. I’m in Florida. It’s already 10 pm here.”
“Oh, love, I’m sorry. W-When did you go there?” I heard the disappointment in his voice.
“Yesterday morning.”
“Hmm.. so how’s your Mom?”
“She’s fine. Uhm… do you have something to tell me, so you decided to call me before I go to sleep, Gabriel?”
I heard him sigh.
“Actually, I just want to hear your voice. I haven’t heard your voice for almost two days. And of course to say I missed you and I love you.”
“Gabriel—–”
“I know. I understand, but please just let me do and say these things. I just want you to know that I love you, Madi.”
“You already told me that.” I smiled, biting my lips.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” my smile widened more when I heard him chuckle on the other line. But when I remembered about Stacey’s child, I sighed loudly.
“Why? Is there something that happened?”
“Why didn’t you tell me that Stacey’s child was not yours?”
“Ohh… I – I was planning to tell you that actually. But I just don’t know how to start. I don’t want you to think about anything from the past, especially when Stacey’s involved because she was the reason you left me.”
“I saw her earlier.”
“In Florida?”
“Yeah, in the hospital.”
“What are you doing in the hospital?” Worried laced in his voice.
“She’s taking care of her father who has been diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. And at the same time, she’s also busy attending to the needs of her son, who has also been diagnosed with a brain tumor.”
“A brain tumor?”
“Yeah, he’s too young for that.”
“And Ray? What is he doing?”
“He ran! He ran away from his obligations!”
“Fuck him! His son is suffering right now but he just ran?”
“He doesn’t know. He broke up with her when he found out that he’s going to be a father.”
“Fuck him!”
I can’t blame him for cursing Ray, not for stealing his woman before, but for being a total asshole and irresponsible father. That’s the same feeling I felt earlier.
I sighed. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, sure!”
“Can you tell me where you’ve been all those nights and days when you’re not staying at home? Because she told me, you’re not with her with all those nights.”
I also heard him taking a deep breath. “Can I answer that in person? Can I explain myself in front of you?”
“Huh? But why don’t you just answer me now? Is it a difficult question?”
“No, I am—”
“Then why can’t you tell me now?”
“Madi—”
“Did you have another woman before besides Stacey?”
“What? No! Where did you get that?” his voice turned shocked and horrified.
“I just want to know the truth,” I said fidgeting my fingers.
“When I married you, it was always you. I never tried to look for another woman even when you left me because I love you. And I promised you that I won’t cheat, right? Do you still remember?”
“Then why can’t you answer a simple question?”
“Because I want to tell you personally.”
“Okay,” I shrugged even though I know he won’t see me. “Good night, Gabriel.”
“Madi, wait! Are you upset?”
I didn’t answer him. Am I?
“Please love, don’t be upset with me.”
When he noticed that I wasn’t responding, I heard him sigh again.
“I-I was attending some appointments at that time.”
I remained quiet.
“I attended psychological therapies.”
I was blown away by what I heard.
“I’m sorry? What did you say?” I urged him to repeat what he said.
“I was attending psychological therapies,
at that time, Madi.”
“B-But why? For what?” why did he need to seek therapy?
“Because I told you, I was confused at that time. I don’t know how to handle my feelings. I love you but the urge and eagerness inside me to get revenge and hurt Stacey always controlled me. And sometimes, that rage at the things she did to our child, they become my nightmares, Madi, almost every night.”
I gasped and covered my mouth.
“Sometimes I would wake up gasping for air. Anxiety filled my mind. I don’t know how to stop hating her. I don’t know how to get over my anger. No matter how I tried.”
“B-But why didn’t you tell me before? I could have understood you.”
I said bringing my hand to my chest. Tears started forming in my eyes as some questions have started kicking in my head. What if he told me those things before, could I still end up leaving him?
“I’m sorry. I don’t know how to do it. Because that time, there was only one goal in my head. I want to become a better man for you, Madi. I want to love you with the whole Gabriel again. Gabriel that free from hatred, anger, revenge in mind, and Gabriel that can be by your side every time you need me. That’s why I needed to seek an appointment to heal what’s inside me and how to get out of the baggage of my past.”
A small sob escaped from my lips. I don’t know what to say after everything I’ve heard. He was suffering from that problem but I left him and didn’t ask him for the truth.
“Are you still there?”
“Huh?” I managed to hold back the sob as I answered. “How are you? I mean, how do you feel today about what happened in your past?”
“I’m fine now actually.” he suddenly chuckled. “Except for my heart.”
I scrunched my eyebrows. “Your heart? But why? Do you have a heart problem?” I started to panic.
“Yes, a big heart problem.”
“What?” my voice raised a bit. “Have you already asked for the doctor’s opinion regarding your heart condition?”
“Yes, but I’m still waiting for her answer.”
I heard a small chuckle from the other line but I ignored it.
“What? But how long will she give you the result?”
“I actually don’t know.”
“Then why don’t you go to another doctor?”
“Oh, I can’t do that! Now not and not ever!”
“But why? I’m sure she’s not just the best doctor in town, you can find someone better than her!” I couldn’t help but raise my voice again. This man is really stubborn.
“Yes, but she’s the only one I know that can cure my heart problem. And do you want to know her name?”
“Do I still have to know her name?” I frowned.
“Of course! She’s my heart doctor and her name is Madielyn Davis-Wilsons. She’s the best doctor I’ve ever known in town. And until now I’m still waiting for her answer.” and he chuckled after that.
“Argh! Gabriel Wilsons! I swear, I’m gonna kill you!” I said through gritted teeth.
But he just continued laughing.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry, I’m just going to love you.”
“Good night, Mr. Wilsons!” I acted annoyed but the truth was that I can’t control the stupid smile that crept onto my lips.
“Wait… when are you going back to Chicago?”
“Ahm… tomorrow.”
“Hmm… see you in Chicago?”
I nodded but I remember he can’t see me. “Yeah.. see you in Chicago.” and I smiled.
“Okay, good night to you there in Florida.”
I chuckled. “And good night to you there too in Chicago.”
“I love you, Mrs. Wilsons.”
I just closed my eyes.
“Bye.” then I ended the call.
I fell back in bed with a smile on my lips.
-‘I love you too, Mr. Wilsons.’- I muttered to myself before closing my eyes again.