Eleven Years All to the Wrong Man novel Chapter 264

She figured it was probably Kelly calling about something and planned to call her back after she finished the last of the vegetables. But less than a minute later, the phone rang again.

Karen Hayes, who was simmering a soup, glanced at the dining table, then at her daughter. "Go on, answer it. It might be urgent!"

"Oh! Okay!"

Emma put down the vegetables and walked over to grab her phone. She was surprised to see it was Nathan.

Why would he be calling her at this hour? Could it be something urgent? Like her latest test results were in, her condition had worsened, and there was no hope?!

Her heart pounding with anxiety, Emma answered the call. She walked toward the balcony, not wanting her mother to overhear.

"Hello, Mr. Allen..."

Nathan frowned. Why did Emma's voice sound like it was trembling?

He didn't dwell on it and got straight to the point. "Are you at home right now?"

"Um... y-yes... Is something wrong?"

Emma clutched the phone, her heart in her throat. Please, don't let it be bad news about my health!

"Well, your mother is visiting, isn't she? I happen to be passing by your neighborhood and thought I'd stop by to see you."

See her?

Passing by?

Emma glanced back at her mother, busy in the kitchen, and took a sharp breath, trying to process what was happening.

Nathan asked again, "Is it a bad time? If so, I can just leave the gift for your mother with the front desk, and you can pick it up later."

"No, no... It's not a bad time!"

Emma hesitated for a moment before saying, "It's a good time, actually. You probably haven't had dinner yet, have you? Why don't you come up and eat with us before you go?"

Emma quickly ushered him inside and pressed the button for the 13th floor. "You don't have a shift tonight?"

"No, I'm off tonight."

Emma nodded. As the elevator climbed closer to the 13th floor, she knew she had to say something. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke quickly. "So, you know my situation, but my mom doesn't know I'm sick. I don't want her to find out and worry, so... could you please keep it a secret for me?"

Emma looked at Nathan imploringly, pressing her hands together in a pleading gesture.

"Of course, but—"

Emma's ears perked up. As long as Nathan agreed, she'd accept any condition! Within reason, of course.

"But, so your mom doesn't get suspicious, you should stop calling me Mr. Allen. Just call me Nathan. And you can drop the formal tone, it's too serious."

"Okay, deal!"