Chapter 366 Can I Have a Hug?
Isabella hopped into the elevator and punched in Laura's number.
Laura picked up, "Hey, Isabella."
Isabella jumped right in, "Laura, you said you bumped into Leo at the hospital last time. What department's he in?"
Laura hesitated for a sec, then asked, "Wait, are you at the hospital now? Where you at? I'll come find you."
Isabella was kinda shocked Laura was around too. She gave Laura her location and hung tight.
In no time, Isabella spotted Laura strolling in, lugging two big bags.
Laura called out, "Isabella!"
"Just got here?" Isabella grabbed one of the bags, feeling the weight.
Laura nodded, "Yeah, just hit the supermarket for some essentials and porridge stuff."
Isabella peeked into the bag and saw a pot. "What's with the pot?"
"To make porridge," Laura said, hitting the elevator button.
Once they were inside, Isabella asked, "So, what's up with Leo?"
Laura sighed, "Stomach cancer."
Isabella had a hunch it was cancer when Laura mentioned it was serious, but hearing "stomach cancer" still threw her off.
"He's so young. How'd he end up with cancer?" Isabella asked, baffled.
Laura gave a sad smile. "Illness doesn't care about age. Leo started smoking and drinking like crazy in his teens. When we were together, I knew his diet sucked. He even had a stomach hemorrhage once and almost died. He always said his life was worthless; now it really is."
The elevator dinged, and they stepped out.
Laura led the way, and Isabella trailed behind, taking her time.
They reached the end of the hall, and Laura knocked lightly before turning the doorknob.
Isabella followed her in. The room was dim and reeked of disinfectant and other meds, making Isabella's nose wrinkle.
The bed was half-made, but empty. The faint sound of running water came from the bathroom.
Laura dumped the bags on the sofa and quickly went to the window. She yanked the curtains open and cracked the window.
"I've told him a million times, but he never listens. Most people with cancer wanna get better, but he acts like he doesn't care, like he's in a rush to die," Laura said, shaking her head, looking torn between regret and heartbreak.
The water stopped.
A few seconds later, the bathroom door creaked open, and Leo shuffled out in a hospital gown.
Leo used to be skinny, but now he was downright skeletal.
The hospital gown hung off him like a tent, the sleeves flopping around like they were empty.
Leo leaned against the door frame, catching Laura mid-rant. With a smirk, he said, "You're such a nag for someone so young. What's menopause gonna be like for you? Will you turn into a monster?"
Laura shot back, "By the time I'm in menopause, you'll be long gone. So why do you care?"
Leo chuckled, but it quickly turned into a coughing fit. Once he started, it seemed like he couldn't stop.
Leo looked like he might crumble with every cough. At first, he managed to stay upright, but soon he was squatting, hacking away like he was falling apart.
"Bella, grab me a tissue," Laura said.
"Got it." The tissue box was right next to Isabella. She handed it to Leo.
When Leo heard "Bella," he flinched.
Leo fought to stop coughing. When he finally looked up and saw Isabella, surprise flickered in his eyes. But he quickly looked away and took the tissues.
Isabella noticed the blood in Leo's hand and gasped, "Blood!"
Leo quickly clenched his fist, hiding it. "It's nothing."
Leaning against the door frame, Leo slowly stood up. "I'll go clean up."
Not wanting to look too pathetic in front of Isabella, Leo quickly shut the bathroom door.
Laura sighed. "Pride's a funny thing for someone who's dying."
The water ran in the bathroom for a long time before it finally stopped.
Isabella looked up as Leo came out.
He was still hunched, one hand on his stomach, moving slowly.
Isabella didn't know that every step felt like walking on broken glass for Leo.
Leo finally made it to the bed and sat down. After catching his breath, he looked Isabella in the eye.
"Why are you here?" Leo's voice was raspy.
"Laura told me you're here," Isabella said.
Leo smirked. "Figures she'd spill the beans."
Isabella bit her lip. "Was that you in the surgical ward earlier?"
"It wasn't me," Leo lied quickly.
Isabella let it slide. "Leo, you've helped me before. Got any wishes? If it's not too crazy, I might be able to help."
Leo shook his head. "Nah. My life's been a mess; I don't have any wishes."
The room went quiet.
Leo coughed lightly now and then; Isabella could tell he was trying to hold it in.
Every second Isabella stayed was torture for Leo.
Isabella stood up. "I should go."
Leo didn't ask her to stay or see her off; he just sat there, coughing occasionally.
Isabella was at the door when Leo spoke, "Isabella."
"Yeah?" Isabella turned back.
Leo had stood up. He always seemed hunched now, his illness weighing him down. He used to be so full of life, but now even his hair looked sickly.
He smiled at Isabella. "Can I get a hug?"
Isabella was taken aback but then nodded. She turned back and opened her arms.
Leo smiled faintly. He placed his hand on the back of her head and gave her a gentle hug.
After a few seconds, he stepped back. "That's enough. I don't want to pass my bad luck and illness to you."
Isabella said, "Don't say that. No one wants to be sick."
Leo looked at her. "Isabella, if only I had met you earlier."
Maybe if he had met Isabella earlier, he wouldn't have lived so recklessly. Things could have been different, but now, it was too late.
Leo said, "Isabella, watch out for Quentin."
Isabella's eyes widened. "Do you know something?"
