When the First Love Returned, I Died

1

"Mrs. Bailey! Mr. Bailey needs me for something." Kevin, my driver, jogged over, his words abruptly interrupting my thoughts.

"Oh, all right. I can take a taxi later," I replied, clutching the report in my hand.

"From the CT results, it appears you may have a tumor, and it's in a difficult location. I recommend you have a biopsy as soon as possible to confirm," the doctor had said.

I stood there, stunned, unable to speak, just staring blankly as the doctor's mouth moved. Perhaps he was explaining how serious my condition might be.

For half a year, I've had intermittent dizziness and headaches, sometimes even experiencing temporary blindness. I thought it was just from overworking.

My voice trembled as I asked, "If it's malignant, how much time do I have left..."

"If it's on the better side, a year or two. If it's not... maybe just a few months. Of course, as long as you actively cooperate with the treatment, we will do our best."

I didn't know how I walked out of the hospital. I confirmed the biopsy date with the doctor for next Tuesday. Monday would be the Withe's staff meeting. So, I planned to go for the biopsy on Tuesday.

I called a taxi, but it would be another 10 minutes before it arrived. I looked at the map and realized it would only take 20 minutes to walk, so I decided to walk back. It had been a while since I had strolled so leisurely.

On my way, I passed a flower shop. I went in and saw my favorite hibiscus flowers, so I bought a bouquet. They were truly beautiful. When was the last time I received flowers?

By the time I got home, it was almost six o'clock. My high heels had rubbed a layer of skin off my heels. It hurt a bit. I put on a Band-Aid casually.

"Leon, are you coming back for dinner tonight?" The other end of the phone was particularly noisy, with music and female voices mixing.

"No." Leon Bailey's cold voice came through.

"Could you..." The phone had already been hung up.

"Could you accompany me to the hospital next Tuesday? It seems you haven't been back for a long time..." I still held the posture of making a phone call and continuing to speak, but there would be no more voices coming from the phone.

"Hilda, don't cook dinner. No one will be eating tonight," I said as I went upstairs, losing my appetite for dinner.

Perhaps due to overthinking during the day, I had a rare dream. In the dream, I returned to my childhood home.

Mom, Dad, and Grandpa were all there. Under the unusually dim light, we sat around the dinner table. I was very picky with my food.

Mom said helplessly, "What a difficult girl to serve. I wonder which man will have to tolerate you in the future."

"It's nothing. Violet should stay by my side for the rest of her life. I just want my granddaughter to be happy," Grandpa said with a chuckle, affectionately tapping my nose.

"That's right! I won't get married. I will stay with Mom, Dad, and Grandpa, and let you support me forever." I hugged Grandpa's hand, laughing happily.

Dad laughed. "Okay, I will support my dear forever."

Everyone was laughing and very happy.

"Violet, Violet! Come and play." The voices of a boy and a girl came from outside the window.

"Leon and Lydia are calling me to play. I'm going out now." I rushed downstairs.

Behind me, Mom's caring voice came. "Violet, put on a coat! Naughty girl."

"Here I come! What are we going to play?" I asked excitedly, holding the white fur balls on both sides of my hat.

"With such thick snow, of course, we have to build a snowman," little Leon said brightly.

"Okay, let's build a snowman," I agreed with Leon.

"Violet, you didn't wear a coat. It's very cold. I have two coats on. Here, take one," Lydia said, about to take off her coat for me.

"No, you'll catch a cold. You just recovered from a cold." Leon stopped Lydia, took off his coat, and gave it to me.

"I'm a man. I'm not afraid of the cold." He patted his chest.

"Alright, let's go play in the snow." Leon held Lydia's hand, and Lydia held mine, as usual.

...

The thunder outside the window woke me up suddenly. No one was by my side, and the spot next to me was still cold. I took some water from the bedside to calm down.

On Monday, after Withe's staff meeting, I called Leon three times, but no one answered. Forget it,. He must be busy lately. After all, Lydia was coming back. Maybe I should find time to visit her.

On Tuesday, I lay alone on the operating table. The surgical lights shone directly into my eyes, making me dizzy. I fell asleep under the effect of the anesthetic.

"The test results are out. It's malignant and terminal. You need to be hospitalized for chemotherapy immediately."

The verdict of life is so fierce and merciless.