Chapter 4
Emma spent three days in her hometown.
She didn't tell her parents about being sick. She just said her company gave her some annual leave, so she wanted to come back and visit them.
Her mother was over the moon and prepared a massive spread of food. They were all Emma loved as a kid.
Sitting at the table and looking at the roast chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and herb-crusted steaks, Emma felt her stomach churn, but she forced a smile and took a bite of the roast.
She chewed slowly, but she couldn't swallow. Her stomach felt like it was being squeezed by a giant fist. She took a quick sip of water and forced the food down.
"What's wrong?" her mother asked. "Is it not to your liking?"
"It's delicious," Emma smiled. "I've just had a bit of a dodgy stomach lately. The doctor said I should lay off the heavy stuff for a bit."
"Well, don't force the meat then. Have some soup instead." Her mother quickly ladled a bowl of mushroom soup for her.
Emma held the bowl, head down as she ate the soup, tears threatening to spill into the bowl. She fought with everything she had to hold them back.
*****
The next day, Emma went for a walk in the park with her father. At sixty-two and two years into retirement, his hair had mostly turned white, but he was still in high spirits.
He strolled ahead with his hands behind his back, greeting every neighbor they passed. "This is my daughter. She's back from Capital City."
Emma followed behind, nodding and smiling as she made small talk with the neighbors who had watched her grow up.
"You've gotten so thin, Emma," someone remarked. "Is life in the city taking its toll?" She just nodded and said work had been a bit hectic.
"When are you getting married? Do you have a boyfriend?" another asked. She told them she was already married, but that her husband was a busy man and couldn't make the trip.
She didn't mention the divorce. She didn't plan to.
*****
On the third day, as Emma prepared to leave, her mother stuffed her suitcase to the brim with local specialties.
"Don't work too hard, and take care of yourself," her mother said, taking her hand. "Look at you. Why are your hands so cold?"
"It's just the weather," Emma replied. "Capital City is much colder than it is here."
"Then bundle up." Her mother fished out a scarf and pressed it into her hands. "Take this. Don't let the chill get to you."
Emma pulled her mother into a long, tight embrace. "Mom, I love you."
Her mother froze for a second, then laughed, patting her on the back. "What's gotten into you? You're being so sappy."
Emma let go, forced a smile, and said goodbye. She turned and walked away without looking back. She knew if she turned around, she'd lose it.
Before her flight back to Capital City, she took out her phone and saw Andrew's WhatsApp message: [The housekeeper mentioned you quit your job?]
She stared at the screen for a few seconds before typing a short reply: [Yeah. I just wanted to take a break for a while.]
She hit send, closed the app, and opened her notes to continue working on her list.
Fifth, pay off the remaining mortgage on her parents' house. It was about 26 thousand dollars.
Sixth, buy a hearing aid for her father. His hearing was fading fast, but he had always been too frugal to buy a decent one.
Seventh, get a comprehensive health check-up plan for her mother. She has high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol, so she needs regular check-ups.
After finishing the list, Emma crunched the numbers.
Chemo was expensive, the mortgage was a heavy lift, and the hearing aid and health plan wouldn't be cheap either. She thought for a moment, then opened her banking app to check her insurance.
The critical illness coverage was 100 thousand dollars.
It was enough.
She leaned back against her seat, watching the clouds. A sudden sense of peace washed over her. It wasn't a forced strength or a brave front; it was genuine tranquility.
It had been five years. She finally didn't have to wait for a man to turn around and notice her anymore.