A Test of Love
**Kael**
The scheduled time for work appointments went unnoticed because my mind was a tangle of worries. I knew Ryan would have to deal with my absence, but at that moment, I could not focus on business. I wasn't in a state to think about business, and Ryan would have to handle things without me. After all, the company is also his asset, as he is my brother, and half of the shares belong to our mother.
I called Ryan with the intention of explaining my absence and my troubled mind.
"I already suspected that you wouldn't be able to attend the meeting today," Ryan's voice sounded understanding as if he were reading my thoughts. "I tried to get in touch with Sarah, now that the diagnosis is confirmed, but she doesn't want to talk to me."
The mention of a confirmed diagnosis caught me off guard. Confused, I questioned, "Confirmed diagnosis? What are you talking about?"
"I managed to briefly talk to Maira on the phone a few minutes ago. She told me about the medical evaluation."
The information didn't make immediate sense, and I felt completely lost.
"Medical evaluation?" My voice betrayed my confusion.
Ryan continued, ignoring my perplexity, "Even though we were expecting something like this, the official confirmation is devastating. I feel responsible for everything that happened. If I had shared what I knew earlier, maybe Sarah wouldn't be going through this now, paralyzed, with no hope of regaining mobility..."
"What do you mean, Ryan? The doctor gave us hope!" My voice carried a mix of frustration and disbelief, cutting my brother off in the middle of his explanation.
"Are you still unaware of today's visit?" The guilt was present in her voice. "I thought you were still at the hospital."
"I'm here, but I haven't heard anything about a definitive diagnosis." My words were rushed, revealing my anxiety to understand the whole situation.
I hadn't been able to leave the hospital after visiting Sarah. I had just stayed away enough not to cause any disturbance to her, as she had ordered herself. Not even Maira knows I'm here.
"The doctor was with Sarah a little while ago... they decided she'll be discharged tomorrow and..."
I decided to abruptly end the call, not bothering to say goodbye. I didn't have the strength to keep up a normal conversation, knowing what was behind my brother's words. The idea of a definitive diagnosis for Sarah was simply overwhelming.
I felt myself sinking into a pit of guilt, aware that nothing I did now could reverse the situation I had caused for the woman I loved. However, my focus was entirely on Sarah. All I could think about was being by her side, talking, trying to bring some kind of comfort after this devastating news.
Despite knowing that Sarah didn't want to see me, I felt an urgency to insist. She would be discharged tomorrow, and besides dealing with her own condition, I'm sure she would also be questioning her future. I wouldn't let her face it alone, even if it meant confronting her in the hospital room.
As I passed the nurses, I noticed their glances, but no comments. I was a familiar face in the corridors, and I could feel the empathy and concern emanating from them. Perhaps they also knew about the terrible turn of events in the diagnosis.
I called Maira and asked her to come to the corridor to talk to me. In no time, she appeared, her expression revealing a mixture of sadness and concern that mirrored my own.
"I need to talk to Sarah." The words escaped me, urgent and filled with determination.
"I thought you were at the hotel."
Maira frowned, her expression heavy with concern. There seemed to be something more bothering her, but my mind was so absorbed by what was happening that I didn't pay attention to it.
"Ryan told me there was a scheduled meeting..."
"I canceled it." My response is direct, without going into details. "I've already heard that the doctor was here, and the diagnosis isn't what we expected."
"I was about to call you, but I was talking to Mom. She's really worried about this whole situation."
"It doesn't matter, Maira. I need to see Sarah now." My words are impulsive, filled with anxiety and anguish.
She gives me an unreadable look, but I'm so obsessed with the idea of talking to Sarah that I can't interpret her emotions.
Maira heads towards the room's door, about to ask Sarah if she'd be willing to see me again. However, my emotions overflow, and I impulsively follow her into the room, locking eyes with Sarah, who is distractedly gazing at the ceiling, as if seeking some form of escape in that simple act.
"Kael!" Maira scolds my reckless action. "You're not allowed to be here."
Sarah finally notices my presence and stares at me with a gaze full of resentment.
"What are you doing here?" She asks, her voice sounding bitter.
"We need to talk, Sarah."
"We've already talked, Kael. There's nothing more to be said. You can leave." Her voice is firm and doesn't give me room to say what I intend.
Maira calls me, holding my arm as if trying to pull me out of the room.
"Come on, Kael." She looks at me with a mixture of concern and warning. "Sarah is not emotional about this."
But I won't back down. My purpose is stronger than any obstacle that may arise.
"I'm not leaving until I say everything I need to say!" My words come out determined, with no room for argument.
Maira looks at Sarah, seeking some approval in her expression. The exchange of glances between the two of them feels like an eternity, and anxiety suffocates me during these seconds of waiting. The silence is heavy as if it contains all the unsaid words and unexpressed feelings.
"Alright." Sarah finally agrees, and a sigh of relief escapes my lips. "You can say what you want, I'm listening."
I look at Maira and Sarah, realizing that this is a test, an attempt to see if I'm willing to face the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
"I have no problem speaking in front of our sister or anyone else, Sarah," I respond honestly, wishing for complete transparency between us. "No more trying to be the unshakable CEO who isn't affected by anything when, in reality, I'm completely shattered by seeing what happened to you, especially because of my fault."
Sarah stares at me, her expression a mixture of sadness and acceptance. She speaks, and her voice carries palpable melancholy:
"I've already forgiven you, Kael. You can go back to your normal life. Return to Seattle and forget about me."
I quickly interrupt her, feeling an intense urge to make myself understood:
"I don't want to forget you!" My voice is filled with fervor and determination. "I want to be by your side, always. I want to be your biggest support. I want to be the man you deserve, Sarah. Please, let me stay by your side, my love."
I try to control the apprehension in my voice, yearning to be the strength that Sarah needs, even when I know she'll face numerous challenges from now on. She closes her eyes for a moment, and I see her moist eyelashes when she opens them again.
"I'm paralyzed, Kael." She admits, her voice trembling, echoing between us. "You don't truly want me. All you feel is guilt. Nothing more."
The room seems to shrink, and I realize that Maira is no longer present. I'm overwhelmed by emotions, unable to deny what I'm feeling. I walk to the side of Sarah's bed and gently hold her hand. The fact that she allows this fills me with profound relief.
"You're still Sarah, the woman I love and with whom I've made countless mistakes, but I'm willing to spend the rest of my life trying to make amends for them. Let me do that, my love." My words come out as a plea, and I softly touch her tear-stained face.
She watches me, searching for any sign of insincerity in my gaze. I lift her hand to my lips and leave a gentle kiss there.
"It won't be easy, having a woman who depends on you for everything, Kael." She tries to dissuade me, but it's impossible.
"I know it won't be easy." I sincerely agree. "But we have something that many people will never have, Sarah. And that's a privilege."
She looks at me, waiting for me to continue. With tenderness, I bring her hand to my lips again and place a tender kiss there.
"We have people who will support us, and the financial stability to make our life as comfortable as possible," I explain calmly. "Ryan, just like me, made mistakes, but he has always cared deeply for you. And Maira, despite knowing us for a short time, has never left your side since she arrived here."
Sarah's eyes meet mine, and for a moment, I see a glimmer of hope. There's still a long road ahead, but I'm determined to walk it by her side, facing each challenge together.
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