Hannah left the doctor’s office with a mixture of relief and disbelief. The weight she had carried for so long had been lifted entirely, and she concluded that it felt like a miracle from God.
Despite the doctor’s suspicion that Summerhill’s tests were flawed, Hannah didn’t want to dwell on it. No more worries plagued her mind; now, she could focus on her new life and the baby growing inside her.
“Thank you, God,” Hannah whispered with emotion.
She quickly walked down the hospital hallway and headed outside. But she realized she didn’t know where to go when she got there. Her phone was back in Elizabeth’s apartment.
Hannah remembered that it would be best to go to the front desk so they could contact Elizabeth. As she turned around, she accidentally bumped into someone.
Hannah almost fell, but the man in the white lab coat caught her.
“Oops! Sorry!” the man quickly apologized.
For a moment, Hannah and the man stared at each other. She was startled to see he looked remarkably like Alden, only a few years younger.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Hannah nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you.”
“I wasn’t looking either.” The man smiled.
Hannah nodded politely and hurried back into the hospital. The man watched her momentarily before continuing to the parking lot.
…
Hannah waited for Elizabeth after the receptionist called her. But Elizabeth’s driver appeared in the hospital lobby and approached Hannah.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Hannah,” he said.
“Not at all. Where’s Elizabeth?”
“Ah, Mrs. Freud is still busy with some colleagues. She asked me to pick you up.”
Hannah was disappointed that she had to postpone telling Elizabeth the good news, but it could wait. She followed the driver out of the hospital.
Hannah spotted the man who had bumped into her in the parking lot earlier. Coincidentally, Elizabeth’s car was parked next to his. The man in the white lab coat was sitting in his car, munching on an energy bar and listening to music.
Hannah and the man made eye contact again, and to her surprise, he waved at her.
“Hi, are you heading home?” he asked casually.
Hannah smiled and nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“Are you a patient here?”
“Well, yes. Sort of,” Hannah replied.
“Did you get some good news?”
It was strange how the man kept asking questions, slightly annoying, but Hannah was in too good a mood to be bothered.
“Excellent news. I’ve been pronounced healthy,” Hannah said proudly.
“Congratulations. I hope you won’t have to come back-at least not as a patient,” the man chuckled.
“I hope so, too.”
Hannah got into the car, not continuing the conversation. As the car pulled away, she glanced back at the man. His resemblance to Alden didn’t shock her; they say everyone has seven look-alikes in the world.
*
When Elizabeth heard the good news, she wept with joy. She praised God over and over, calling it a miracle.
“Now all you have to do is focus on your health,” Elizabeth said. “What did the hospital give you?”
“A lot.”
The doctor prescribed supplements, vitamins, and even milk to support Hannah’s baby’s healthy growth. She would also have to return for monthly check-ups to monitor her pregnancy.
“The doctor even suggested that I see a psychologist for my marital problems.” Hannah shook her head. “That sounds ridiculous.”
“Hannah, if that’s what the doctor recommends, you should do it. It’s for your own good.”
“If the doctor says I’m fine, that means I’m healthy, Elizabeth.”
“Good, but you must take the vitamins and everything else religiously.”
Hannah nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Now get some rest. Next week, I’ll introduce you to a friend about that job-if you’re ready to start working.”
“I could start tomorrow, actually.”
“No, I want you to get some rest first.”
“Okay, I’ll do what you say.”
Hannah looked at the clock on the living room wall. It was already ten o’clock, and she felt exhausted.
“I was actually thinking about going out tomorrow. I need a new phone number to contact Susan,” Hannah said. “Is it okay if I walk while I’m at it?”
“I’ll have someone accompany you tomorrow.”
“If no one is available, it’s okay. I can go alone.”
“No. You don’t know your way around here yet. I don’t want you to get lost.”
“All right, fine.” Hannah smiled. “I’m going to bed now. See you tomorrow, Elizabeth.”
“Good night, Hannah.”
Hannah walked into her room and grabbed her phone from the nightstand. She lay down on the bed and opened her phone to send a message to Susan, but instead, she saw Alden’s number.
She stared at the gray, blank profile picture with a pang of sadness. Her number was blocked.
Alden must have believed the rumors about Hannah and Jeffrey’s affair.
Hannah shook her head and sent a message to Susan instead. “Hey, are you home?”
Moments later, her phone rang, and Susan’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hi, Hannah!” Susan cheerfully greeted. “I’ve been waiting to hear from you. You had me worried.”
“I’m fine, Susan.”
“So, did you have the tests at the hospital?” Susan hesitated. “Did you get the results?”
“Yes, Susan. The results are in, and I’m fine. I’m not sick at all.”
There was a moment of silence as Susan struggled to believe what she had just heard.
“Are you sure?” Susan’s voice wavered as if on the verge of tears.
“I didn’t believe it at first either, but it’s true. I’m not sick and don’t even understand how it happened.”
“Thank God! I’m so relieved. I’m so happy for you, Hannah!”
“Now I just have to prepare for a new life here.”
“You have to do that.” Susan sniffled quietly. “You have to move on. There’s nothing left for you to worry about here. Don’t look back.”
“Susan, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
“I’m crying because I’m happy for you. But at the same time, I’m so furious.”
“Upset about what?”
“Your husband filed for divorce, Hannah. It looks like he’s going to marry Sarah!”