Hannah sat waiting for the lab results to come back before the doctor called her back in. Her phone rang, and she looked down at the screen in her hand. It was Francesca calling.
“Hello, Hannah? How did it go?”
“I’m still waiting for the lab results.”
“Do you want me to come over and keep you company? Who are you with?”
Hannah swallowed. “I’m alone.”
“Isn’t Mr. Alden with you?”
Hannah didn’t want Alden to know she was at the hospital getting checked out. She wanted it to be a surprise if she was indeed pregnant.
“I’ll keep it a secret for now,” Hannah said. “Can you promise not to tell Alden?”
“Of course. I called you yesterday because Aspen asked if you were going to the hospital,” Francesca babbled. “But she got furious after I called you.”
“Aspen?”
How strange, Hannah thought. Why would Aspen be so worried?
“Maybe Aspen heard about it from Jeffrey. Did you mention it to Jeffrey?” Francesca asked.
“Not really, but he suggested I go to the hospital.”
“Maybe it’s all just a coincidence, Hannah.”
“I think so.”
The door to the doctor’s office opened, and the nurse smiled at Hannah. Hannah knew immediately that it was her turn to see the doctor.
“I need to see the doctor now,” Hannah said.
“Oh, all right. I’ll pray for the best for you.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
The call ended, and Hannah quickly got up from her seat. As she entered the room, the doctor and nurse prepared the ultrasound machine to check on Hannah’s condition. The lab results were already on the doctor’s desk.
During the examination, the doctor seemed very serious. Hannah waited, her heart pounding.
“Yes, we’re done, ma’am. Please take a seat when you’re ready,” the doctor said.
Hannah wondered why the doctor hadn’t said anything. He had just examined her abdomen a few times, and then it was over.
Curious, Hannah finally sat down across from the doctor.
“I think we need to take a blood sample to confirm and do a biopsy,” the doctor said.
“A biopsy?”
“At first, I thought you might be pregnant, ma’am. But from the urine test results, there’s something abnormal. A blood test and other tests will give us a clearer picture of whether what’s inside you is a benign or malignant tumor.”
Hannah was shocked at what she heard. How could this be?
“Are you sure it’s a tumor, Doctor?” Hannah asked, her voice shaking.
“I’m not sure yet. But if you haven’t conceived, I think this could be the cause.” The doctor looked at Hannah sympathetically. “It may also be difficult for you to have children, ma’am.”
That wasn’t what Hannah wanted to hear. She believed a new life was growing inside her, Alden’s, and hers.
But why did the doctor say it was a tumor? How could this happen?
Tears streamed down Hannah’s cheeks, and she couldn’t hold them back any longer.
“Please tell me it’s not true, doctor. I’m perfectly healthy; I can’t be sick,” Hannah mumbled.
“Ma’am, I know this is very difficult for you. We’ll thoroughly examine as soon as you feel better.”
Hannah could only nod in resignation as she left the doctor’s office. Her steps were heavy, and every movement felt like a burden.
What was she going to tell Alden?
Not being able to get pregnant felt like the world was falling apart, let alone telling her husband that she was carrying a disease? Hannah could only sob as she left the hospital.
Hannah got into her car and tried to calm down. She drove out of the hospital at a moderate speed.
Hannah didn’t want to return to Texco in her desperate state, and seeing Alden at Goldtime was out of the question. She didn’t want Alden to know; she’d handle the problem herself.
Hannah’s car pulled into the parking lot of a coffee shop not far from Texco. She wiped away her tears and went inside. Just as she was about to push the door open, someone opened it for her.
Hannah was surprised to see it was Jeffrey, and he was just as shocked.
“What are you doing here?” Hannah asked.
“I was just getting a sandwich for lunch,” Jeffrey replied.
Apparently, it was lunchtime, and Hannah hadn’t even noticed. She nodded weakly and went in first. Jeffrey saw that Hannah had been crying, but he didn’t dare ask her directly.
After they each ordered, they sat down at the same table. Jeffrey looked carefully at Hannah.
“Why were you crying, Hannah?” Jeffrey asked.
Hannah shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“You can talk to me if you want.”
Hannah looked at Jeffrey with tearful eyes. She didn’t know who else to talk to. Right now, Hannah just wanted to let all her sadness out.
“Can you keep this a secret, Jeffrey?” Hannah asked.
“What’s going on?”
“I just got my test results from the hospital.” Hannah sighed. “It turns out I’m not pregnant.”
Jeffrey looked worried as he listened to Hannah. He patted her hand gently.
“You can still get pregnant. It’s just a matter of time. Be patient, Hannah,” Jeffrey said, trying to comfort her.
“No, Jeffrey…” Tears began to flow from Hannah’s eyes again. “I can’t get pregnant because I have a tumor in my womb.”
Jeffrey was taken aback. He immediately left his seat and sat down next to Hannah, who was now sobbing uncontrollably. Jeffrey put his arm around her and shared her grief.
“Why do I have to go through this?” Hannah sobbed.
“Hannah, don’t think the worst. It’s a possibility, right?
“A strong possibility, one I can’t avoid.”
“No, don’t be pessimistic. There must be a way out of this misfortune.”
“Please don’t tell Alden about this. Okay?”
“Okay, you have my word.”
Hannah let out all her grief in Jeffrey’s arms. She didn’t know how Alden would react when he found out.
As Jeffrey tried to comfort Hannah, they were unaware that someone was watching them from outside the cafe. Sarah zoomed in on her phone and captured a clear image of Jeffrey and Hannah together.
From Sarah’s perspective, it was the perfect scene as Hannah and Jeffrey embraced.
Sarah chuckled softly. “Gotcha!”