CHAPTER 1

Mum please don't leave me" I cried beside my mum who was lying helplessly on the hospital bed, I kept crying and crying.

Suddenly a man in his late twenties entered my mum's private room. 

The man who entered the hospital room was tall and lean, with a athletic build that was evident even under his white lab coat.

He stood at around six point two inches with broad shoulders and a strong jawline, giving him a confident and authoritative presence.

His dark brown hair was neatly styled, and his piercing blue eyes sparkled with compassion as he approached the hospital bed.

His white lab coat was crisp and spotless, with a name tag that read "Dr. Ryan KEAL" in bold letters.

The coat was slightly open, revealing a hint of a tailored white shirt and a slim black tie. His dark blue jeans fit perfectly, accentuating his toned legs.

As he moved closer, his eyes locked onto mine, filled with kindness and concern. His smile was warm and gentle, putting me at ease despite the chaos of emotions I was feeling.

He exuded an aura of calmness and professionalism, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of trust in this stranger who had just entered our lives.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Ryan," he said softly, his deep voice soothing my frazzled nerves. "I'm here to check on your mom"

Dr. Ryan KEAL's eyes never left mine as he approached the hospital bed, his smile still warm and reassuring.

He gently placed his hand on my shoulder, offering a comforting squeeze before turning his attention to my mother.

He moved with quiet confidence, his eyes scanning the various machines beeping and whirring around the bed. His gaze landed on the cardiac monitor, and he reached out to adjust the settings.

With a few swift taps on the screen, the monitor sprang to life, displaying a steady stream of data. Dr Ryan's eyes narrowed as he studied the readouts, his brow furrowed in concentration.

He then reached for the stethoscope draped around his neck, the silver disc glinting in the fluorescent lighting.

With a gentle touch, he placed the stethoscope on my mother's chest, closing his eyes as he listened intently to her heartbeat.

The sound of the steady beeps and my mother's shallow breathing filled the room, punctuated by the soft whoosh of the stethoscope as Dr Ryan moved it to different areas of her chest. His expression remained focused, his eyes still closed as he absorbed every detail.

After a few moments, he opened his eyes, his gaze locking onto the cardiac monitor once more. He studied the data, his lips pursed in thought, before turning to me with a reassuring smile.

"Her heartbeat is stable," he said softly, his voice filled with compassion. "We're going to do everything we can to help her."

"But Dr Ryan I have been here for over an hour now but my mom has not opened her eyes or even said a word to me" I said as tears rolled down from my eyes to my cheeks.

Dr Ryan's expression turned sombre, his eyes filled with empathy as he nodded understandingly. He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice gentle but firm.

"I know this is difficult to hear, but I want to be honest with you. Your mother has been diagnosed with advanced cancer. It's a tough battle ahead, and I want to prepare you for the possibilities."

He paused, his eyes locked onto mine as if searching for the right words.

"The cancer has progressed significantly, and her condition is critical. We're doing everything we can to stabilise her, but I have to be honest with you, the recovery rate is 50/50."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt my world crumbling around me. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't process the enormity of what he was saying.

Dr. Ryan's hand on my shoulder tightened, offering a comforting squeeze. "We're going to do everything in our power to help her fight this, but I want you to be prepared for the worst.

We'll need to run some more tests, and we'll discuss treatment options, but I want you to know that we're here for you, and we'll support you every step of the way."

Tears streamed down my face as I nodded, unable to speak. Dr. Ryan's words hung in the air, a harsh reality that I couldn't escape.

My mother, my rock, my everything, might not make it. The thought was unbearable, and I felt myself crumbling under the weight of it.

"What of my dad??? I asked him to know if my dad had come to see my mom because he had been acting strangely since my mom became ill.

Dr. Ryan's expression turned sympathetic, his eyes filled with understanding.

"Your father has been here, and he's been taking care of everything," he said softly. "He's been in constant contact with me and the medical team, ensuring that your mother receives the best possible care."

He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "He's already made the necessary payments for her treatment and has signed the documents for her surgery. He's been very cooperative and supportive throughout this process."

Dr Ryan's words brought a mix of emotions: relief that my father was involved, but also confusion and concern about his strange behaviour. Why had he been acting so distant and detached?

Dr. Ryan seemed to sense my unease.

"I know this is a lot to take in, but please know that we're doing everything we can to support you and your family during this difficult time," he said, his voice filled with compassion.

He took a deep breath before adding, "Your father has also requested that we keep him updated on your mother's condition, and he's asked to be notified immediately if there are any changes."

I nodded, trying to process this new information. My father's actions seemed contradictory to his behaviour, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on beneath the surface.

Though I and my father have not been close since I found out he was cheating on my mom but decided to hide it from my mom in order not to break the family bond.