Monica’s POV
TWO DAYS LATER
My lashes raised, giving my eyes access to open slowly and my gaze landed on the white-painted ceiling of the room.
I turned my head slowly to the side to realize that I was in the hospital. I tried to raise my hand but hissed in pain when I couldn’t raise it.
“Monica” I heard Nicholas’s voice from the door beside me and I smiled weakly when I saw him rush to my side “You’re awake,” he said, tears gathering in my eyes “Thank you for waking up,” he said, gently placing his hand on my hand which was still on the bed.
“Thank you for saving me,” I said.
“I’m glad you’re finally awake,” he said again, his voice sharp and laced with excitement.
“How long was I asleep?” I asked.
“Two days and I almost lost my senses” he responded.
Looking closely at Nicholas, I noticed his eyes were red and swollen. He also had some dark circles around his eyes and I figured he hadn’t been sleeping well.
“Why do you have dark circles” I asked, frowning at his swollen eye bags.
“It’s okay now honey. Those circles will disappear soon. The angel who is going to take them away is finally awake” he replied.
I smiled at his response and then suddenly remembered my kids “Where are Mason and Macy? Are they safe? I hope Greg didn’t hurt them?” I asked calmly, worry etched on my face.
“They’re fine honey. Everyone is safe” he said cheerfully then his smile dropped as he stared at me safely “Safe except you”
I looked at him in confusion “I’m safe now honey. I’m fine. Very soon I’m going to get back on my feet and come home” I said weakly.
“You’re not going to be with me forever honey,” he said, his voice trembling as he began sniffing his nose, avoiding my eyes
“Honey, what’s the problem? Why are you crying?” I asked, worried and scared by his sudden reaction.
I’ve never seen Nicholas cry. He rarely cries. He is always tough and sometimes cold. Aunt Ella once told me that he didn’t cry at his father’s funeral and was cold throughout but seeing him cry right now, I didn’t know what to think
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why keep such a big secret to yourself? I thought we agreed to not keep secrets from each other” he said and I still couldn’t figure out what he was talking about.
“What are you saying? I don’t understand what you’re trying to say honey and your tears are scaring me” I said.
“When were you ever going to tell me about your illness?” He dropped the bombshell and I went mute instantly.
My heart instantly became heavy with sadness and tears gathered in my eyes. Why did I keep such a thing from him? I didn’t have an answer to that question but I just didn’t want to cause him pain. I didn’t want to see him get worried about me.
“You could have told me. We could have come up with something to cure_”
“There’s no cure Nicholas. The doctor said the brain tumor was a rare type and there wasn’t any cure anywhere in the world” I said, my voice trembling as I tried to hold back my tears.
Just two days on the sick bed and my secret is already out.
“Keeping it to yourself was the best way to go?” He asked, his voice rough and low.
“I’m sorry. I just didn’t want you to get worried. We were happy Nicholas. We were a big happy family and I didn’t want this to make everyone around me start getting worried or worked up over the issue” I said.
“I’m your husband Monica. I deserve to know whatsoever that happening in your life. I’m supposed to be worried and I’m supposed to be worked up because you’re a part of my life, a part of me” he stated, certainly not pleased with the stupid reason I gave him.
“I’m sorry,” I said again weakly, tears already running down my eyes
“I was shocked when the doctor told me about it, honey. I almost cursed that she was mad and had lost it. I didn’t believe her until she brought out your files. You shouldn’t have kept it to yourself” he said again.
“I’m sorry but I just didn’t want to bother you,” I said, giving another stupid reason.
“I’m supposed to be bothered by you and I don’t mind it at all. You’re my wife and I ought to be bothered about you” he said, pacing around the room and sniffing loudly.
The room was silent as we were both consumed by our sadness and pain. I had hidden this secret pretty well for the past few months and I had thought I was doing a good job.
“It’s going to be okay. You’re not going to die. You’re not going to leave me. You’re not going to leave our kids” he said, his voice rough but laced with determination.
I turned my head to look at the man who had so much faith in his eyes “But there’s no cure” I said.
“I’m going to find a cure. I refuse to watch you die. I refuse to sit and fold my hand while the woman I love leaves me and my kids. No, I’m not going to allow it” he said and I felt guilty for not telling him sooner.
“How honey? How do you intend to find a cure? Even the doctor said she had sent an application to some lab scientists who said they still couldn’t come up with a cure so how do you_”
“I don’t care what the doctor had said or what she had done so far but one thing I’m sure of and that is I’m not going to watch you die” he stated, his voice sharp and confident and his eyes blazing with determination.
“I’m sorry for keeping this from you. I just didn’t know what to do about it and_”
“No more secrets?” He said, cutting me short on my words.
“No more secrets,” I said and he kissed me gently on my cheeks. “I love you and will always love you” he whispered, staring at me affectionately.