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.

years, which was why I never even asked Lily to move in wi me. But now, it was filled with reminders of Freckles.

wasn’t going to be able to sleep tonight, I realise, not without

picked up my laptop and quietly left to my office; might as well

to bask in the memory of

but this nagging feeling that something was wrong

it now. I talked to her again in the morning, told her I was at

me.

1/3

There was something dooming playing

before most of my employees were in, showering at home and collecting my

evening. I flew to Chicago, where one of the most famous oncologists in the country was based. He knew my grandfather because Alister called him for a

being in the first stage,

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

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

night.

on it. Ten minutes down, here’s what I knew so far: One, he passed his hand through his blonde hair very often.

okay. He had explained

good with

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

furrowed. “What’re you

you wouldn’t pick up my calls.” She replied making herself

toneless.

“You called?” I blinked.

“But if I did, would you

did call from her phone and I did pick up the second time,

silent.

The hurt that flashed across her face was quick, and she

was here?” I ask, and

here when I overheard him talk to you in the

my annoyance