Filed to story: The Return Novel (Natalie & Bryce) PDF Read Online Free >>
As Natalie and Ellington were talking, the elevator arrived with a ping. Natalie stepped through the opening door and turned around with a smile. She said, “Isn’t that a nice surprise about Tony getting the part?”
Ellington’s face was a mask of resentment as the elevator door closed. Natalie’s ridicule had really gotten to him. He thought about how he’d bent the rules to make backchannel contact with some of the movie’s production crew, hoping that they would cooperate with him and secure the supporting role for Curtis Westing. He stood there annoyed, unwilling to believe that his worst fears had come true.
Natalie, meanwhile, was worried that she wouldn’t make it to the hospital before Gina entered the operating room. She hurried to the hospital, and when she arrived, she was sweating profusely. She made it just in time. There was Tony standing by Gina’s bed as a doctor examined her before she was taken to the operating room. The girl on the bed had a pale, weak complexion, and her face looked thinner, making her eyes seem larger.
When Tony saw Natalie coming over to him, his eyes lit up for a moment, but an instant later, his look darkened again. Natalie knew that he was worried. Tony said, “Natalie, you made it. I’m so glad you’re here.”
Gina’s expression remained calm. Natalie walked over and took the girl’s slender hand. She said, “We’ll always be here for you, Gina. Don’t be afraid.”
Gina smiled weakly and said, “I’m not afraid. With you two here, I feel happy.” Even though her body was in unbearable pain, she didn’t let it show. She didn’t want them to worry.
Natalie’s heart ached as she said, “Gina, did you know that your clever brother has been chosen to play a big role in a big movie? He’s a star, so you have to be strong so you can come to see the premiere with us.”
When Gina heard this, her eyes filled with happy light. She had always hoped that her brother’s acting career would take off again. Now that those hopes had come to fruition, how could she not be happy? She said, “Tony, you’re awesome! I can finally see you on the big screen. So cool.” She reached out to hold Tony and Natalie’s hands. She said slowly but firmly, “You guys are not to worry. I will definitely come through this in good shape. I don’t want to miss seeing both of you together on the red carpet.” Her eyes started to tear up as she sank back down on the pillow.
Tony said, “Gina, you must be strong now. I can’t live without you.” Tony started to cry, hugging his sister. His emotions got the better of him, and he cried like a baby.
Natalie was deeply moved. She looked away to stop them from seeing her own tears. Life could be so unfair. Gina was such a kind, innocent child. Why did she have to suffer like this?
A moment later, a doctor came in and announced that it was time for the operation to begin. They watched while the orderlies wheeled Gina’s gurney away. Tony and Natalie followed, planning to wait at the door of the operating room. When they got there, Tony stood stiffly, his handsome young face filled with a sadness that made him look much older. His fists were clenched tightly. Natalie patted his shoulder to comfort him, saying, “It’s okay. The operation will be successful. Don’t be nervous.”
Tony relaxed a little, but his face was still full of worry. He said, “I’m really scared. I’m afraid that Gina won’t come through this alive.” He looked at Natalie helplessly.
Natalie comforted him, “It will all be fine. We have to think positively. You have to be strong for Gina, like she’s strong for you. We can’t fail her in her moment of greatest need. We have to be here, ready and waiting to support her when she wakes up.” But she understood that her words were powerless to really change how Tony felt and thought. All she could do now was be with him and give him her support.
They sat on a bench outside the operating room and watched the minutes pass. Every single one of those minutes seemed like a year. Hours passed, and they fell into a kind of stupor. Tony stared dopely at the operating room door, his face pale and sweaty with nervousness. Suddenly, the phone in Natalie’s bag rang, shockingly loud in the stillness. She went to find a quiet place to take the call.
The person on the line identified themselves as a teacher at the Woodling Academy. Natalie went into a panic, gasping, “What’s wrong? Is something wrong with Liam?”
The teacher said urgently, “Liam has had an accident. Please come quickly.”
Natalie panicked. “What happened? How is he?”
The teacher said, “I have to go now. I can’t explain it over the phone. Just come over, please.”
“All right, all right. I’ll come as fast as I can,” Natalie replied in a hurry and hung up the phone. She had to get over there and find out what was going on with Liam. She was worried to death. She said to Tony, “Something really urgent has come up. I have to leave. Call me if you need anything, okay?”
Seeing Natalie’s worried expression, he asked, “What’s wrong, Natalie? Are you all right?”
She said, “It’s all fine. I can take care of myself. Stay here with Gina.” Natalie left the hospital in a suppressed panic. Nothing must happen to Liam; otherwise, how would she live?
She took a cab to the school, impatient with anxiety. All the way to the school, she muttered to herself, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Liam will be fine.” When she arrived at the school, she rushed inside. There in the hallway was Liam. His face was dirty, and there were smears of blood on his body. Natalie felt her heart leap as she ran over and hugged her son.