His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 74

GABRIEL (continued…)

That night, I called Sophia for the first time since arriving home I went in for a quick shower, and called her while getting dressed for bed. She picked up, but seemed so distant… like there was something playing on her mind.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Freckles?” I asked for the fourth time in that one conversation. I am still seeing you tomorrow, right?”

“Hmm..” She buzzes a little sleepily, but mostly she was just distracted. “How’s your work emergency thing going?”

“Bad,” I reply, truthfully. Alister had colorectal cancer. I was planning on picking Sophia up tomorrow, but instead, I’d have to take a trip to his doctor. To tell her this was on the tip of my tongue, but only the promise I had hastily made to my grandfather before leaving- the one to not tell this to anyone until he tells it to my grandmother in person this weekend- stopped me. Besides, Sophia just lost her Grandpa to cancer. I doubted she wanted more cancer news, “Why do you soundl so busy?”

“I’m not. I was just almost asleep when you called.”

“Oh, sorry, Freckles.” I say with no remorse, a sihall smile making its way to my lips. I needed to hear her voice.

“That’s okay.” She stays quiet for a few seconds before adding, “Are you at home?”

Tam

“Are you going to sleep now?”

‘Soon, I tell her, yawning.

‘Hm. Okay. Goodnight, Gabriel.

“Goodnight, Freckles.”

I miss you, I wanted to add, but didn’t, partly because it was too cheesy, more than I’d ever been, and partly because she disconnected the call so quietly after I said goodnight, you’d think her hand was burning from holding the phone.

I conclude I was thinking too much into it.

all these years, which was why I never even asked Lily to move in wi me. But now, it was

sleep tonight, I realise, not without her next to

and quietly left to my office; might as well work if

home, that she needed a few more days to bask in the memory of her grandfather before

feeling that something was wrong

was sore from falling asleep while working, but I’d done this too many times before Freckles entered my life to worry about it now. I talked to her again in the morning, told her I was at work, and made sure

me.

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either. There was something dooming playing

at home and collecting my grandfather’s

evening. I flew to Chicago, where one of the most famous oncologists in the country was based. He knew my grandfather

the first stage, where it would be easy to

waited minutes, but my heart was beating louder with every passing second. So, I called my grandmother, who told me

me where she was, and I said work. The lie sat heavy on

night.

he passed his hand through his blonde hair very often. Two, he said ‘well’ every time he went

be okay. He had explained the treatment plan, and been honest about

after he left, lost in my thoughts. I considered myself good with secrets, but all I felt was the urge

go to her tomorrow and bring her back with me whenever she was ready. I toy with that idea while playing with my phone when I heard

eyebrows furrowed. “What’re you doing

to track you down since you wouldn’t pick up my

toneless.

“You called?” I blinked.

if

told her that my grandfather did call from her phone and I did

silent.

hurt that flashed across her face was quick, and she was quicker to

How did you even know I was here?” I ask, and

overheard him talk to you in the morning at

blink my