Natalie's  POV:
   

       I  shook my head because  I could not tell him the results.

      How could I tell him?

     It was double the bad news.

     My worst fear is that he would find out somehow and regret hiring me or welcoming me back.

          I left the room in tears.

          "Natalie, wait!"

           "I did not turn around when Gabriel called out after me."

             I could not bare his look of disapproval.

             It was bad enough I found out I could never be a mother.   To make it worse, I found out I am dying from cancer.

    The treatments were not working, and I was given six months to live.

               How could I burden Gabriel with my health issues when he was so stubborn?

                I did not want him to give up on life because mine was not great.

                "Natalie, may I come in?"

                "Yes."

                Marinette entered my room and hugged me.

              "What was that for?"

               "It is good to have you back."

              "You know,  Gabriel was worried while you were gone."

                 "I know, but nothing will ever be okay."

                  "It can not be that bad."

                  "Adrien, and I know you love him."

                   "It is not that easy, Mrs. Marinette Agreste."

                   "I  saw the report."

                  "What report?"

                 "The one where you were told you can not have children."

                   "Do  not tell anyone."

                  "I  promise not to because it is my news to tell."

                      I hugged her.

                  "You know we will not love you any less for not having kids."

              " Perhaps, you could adopt some."

                    I shook my head at the suggestion. I could not bring myself to ruin a child's life with the burden of my death in a few months.

                     "Natalie, there is something else you are not telling me."

                    "I do not know what you mean."

                    "I believe you do. When I knocked on the door, I overheard you say something about six months to live."

                     "Fine, I have cancer. It is stage three, and I am dying."

                    "Natalie, what kind is it?"

                    "It is breast cancer. I had treatment, but it stopped working according to the latest doctor's test."

                    "I even had my left breast removed."

                 Marinette gasped at my news. She did not say another word. She hugged me and sobbed with me.

                 "Natalie, please tell Gabriel everything before it is too late."

                "I will, but not today."

                  Marinette left the room, closing the door on her way out.

              Soon, Adrien knocked on my door.

       He came in without a word.

      I saw the sorrowful look in his eyes.

    "Adrien, what happened? Has your father gotten worse?"

     "No, but why didn't you tell us?"

    "Tell you what?"

    "The news that you are unable to be a mom. It must have been  disappointing to find out you could not be one."

     I nodded my head in agreement. Adrien hugged me.  Then without another word, he left. He shut the door.

    I thought, for a moment, Gabriel might come in next since the others had, but he did not.

     I  sat on my bed alone and afraid. Afraid to mess up things between Gabriel and me. Afraid to tell him the truth and scarred if I did not, how he would react if someone else told him.   

   I sobbed myself to sleep that night.

The story continues in Chapter 5: Gabriel Suspects Something

   Until then,

bye-bye, little owlets!

Summer out!