Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie) novel Chapter 395

"No, I don't think so. It was just both of us at home, and everyone goes along with him now, so who would upset him?" Bree paused as he said so.

I sensed something was off, but before I could ask, Bree grabbed my hand tightly. "Wait, after he felt unwell and I massaged him, he mentioned lying down on the couch for a bit.

"Just as my phone rang, I think I heard him answer a call too."

Could this call be what triggered Zack?

I immediately asked, "Where's Zack's phone?"

Bree felt her pockets. "I didn't bring it… I might have left it at home."

There was no way to go back and get it now, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this call was a trigger.

Conrad and Chris returned soon after, but both of them had grim expressions. Conrad must know more about Zack's condition and had likely shared the truth with Chris.

My heart tightened. I wanted to ask for more details, but Bree held onto me tightly as if I were her lifeline.

We waited for another hour before the doors to the ER opened. A doctor emerged, looking exhausted.

"Doctor, how's Zack?" Conrad and Chris asked in unison.

"The bleeding has stopped, but the cancer cells have metastasized to his liver, so things aren't looking too good." The doctor's words felt like a heavy stone that dropped on us.

Faced with our silence, the doctor added a compassionate note, "Don't worry too much. He can hang on for a while as long as he maintains a positive mindset."

Did these words offer any comfort? No. Zack's life had entered its countdown phase.

"Thank you, doctor." Conrad expressed his gratitude.

Zack was transferred to the intensive care unit, but only one person was allowed inside. That person shouldn't be me, but Chris and Bree insisted I go in.

The heart monitor started beeping urgently. I panicked. "Doctor! Anyone?"

"We've just stopped your bleeding. If you get too emotional, you could start bleeding again. Why are you being so stubborn?

"And for Zack's family, don't say anything that might upset him," the young nurse warned.

But I hadn't said anything upsetting! Zack simply wanted to talk to me.

"He wants to remove the oxygen mask to talk to me. Is that okay?" I asked.

Zack nodded at the nurse as well, and she seemed to understand the reason for his agitation. "You can only take it off for two minutes. Make it quick."

The oxygen mask was removed. Breathing weakly, Zack began to speak, "Maddie, I… might not make it.

"I have something… to tell you…"