I heard from Peter Gingery that Kane Forest has been recuperating at the Forest Family home recently.
The first call went unanswered.
Jane Sampson listened to the beeping sound, hearing the notification that no one answered on the other side.
When Jane Sampson was hesitating whether to make a second call, the other side called back.
"Hello, who is this?"
The mobile phone connected, and Kane Forestās voice came through.
Jane Sampson had called Kane Forestās personal number, which was separate from his work number, usually given to close friends and family.
Jane Sampsonās phone number was completely unfamiliar to Kane Forest, so after picking up, he asked her who she was.
On the phone, listening to Kane Forestās voice, it was difficult to discern much content, as it sounded like a business-like inquiry, and it was hard to detect his emotions or state.
Jane Sampson was silent for a few seconds, her lips slightly moved before she slowly spoke.
"Mr. Forest, itās me."
After saying this, Jane Sampson heard a sound over the phone, as if he had shattered the glass he was holding.
At that moment, Jane Sampson said nothing, and neither did Kane Forest, only the sound of their shallow breathing could be heard on the phone.
It was this breathing that reminded Kane Forest it wasnāt an illusion.
This voice...
"Jane... Sampson?" Kane Forestās voice betrayed a tremor, "You... youāre still alive?"
The last words, youāre still alive, made Jane Sampson almost choke.
"Yes, Iām still alive," Jane Sampson responded.
At Forest Family, the sound of Kane Forest smashing the water cup attracted an Aunt from downstairs, who knocked at the door and inquired about the situation.
Kane Forest quickly said, "No need to come in, everythingās fine here."
In fact, the glass shards lay at his foot side.
Kane Forest held onto the edge of the table and took a few steps to a clean spot next, looking out the window at the blue sky and white clouds.
Today is a good day.
"Mr. Forest, Iām sorry for making you all worry about me. Iām okay, Iām doing well." Jane Sampson felt she needed to explain things properly to Kane Forest.
"The remains were fake; I returned to Black Family long ago, cooperating with the police operation, which is why..." Jane Sampson said up to this point, feeling a kind of guilt almost overwhelming her.
"You donāt need to explain, I understand, I get it." Kane Forest lightly laughed on the phone, "Jane Sampson, youāre still alive, Iām very happy, truly, very happy."
Aside from happiness, Kane Forest couldnāt find any other words to describe his current mood.
"Mr. Forest, Iām sorry." Listening to Kane Forestās laughter, Jane Sampsonās tears fell, and as she opened her mouth again, she couldnāt hide the sobs in her voice.
"Donāt cry, your being alive is a good thing, you shouldnāt cry. If your James Black finds out I made you cry, the next time he sees me, heāll stab me with eye daggers," Kane Forest knew why Jane Sampson was crying and why she was apologizing.
"Donāt burden yourself with guilt or feel sorry to me, this was my own choice. In fact, Iām very sorry, these days, it must have been hard for you?" Kane Forestās voice was soft, "Jane Sampson, knowing youāre okay makes me really happy."
"Mr. Forest, I still want to say sorry to you. You deserve a better girl than me, and in the future, youāll meet a girl better than me, youāll like her, and sheāll like you," Jane Sampson had so much more she wanted to say to Kane Forest.
But when she opened her mouth, she didnāt know how to say those words.