“It’s not as simple as that,” Nina gently but firmly corrected him. “By actively undergoing treatment, even if a full recovery isn’t possible, it’ll at least ease the pain and extend your life. You know enough about medicine to understand this, don’t you?”She had a good guess about what was really holding him back and got straight to the point. “Is it because you think chemo will make you lose your hair and look different, so you don’t want to go through it?”Pharaoh nodded. He wanted to leave this world with dignity, not as a shadow of his former self that might scare the kids. “Oh, come on,” Nina said, half-amused, half-exasperated. “You’re not a young guy anymore. What’s with the vanity? A little hair loss isn’t the end of the world. When people get older, they naturally lose hair! Look at all the grandpas out there. They’re healthy as an ox, but barely a strand left on their heads.”“Losing some hair and going completely bald are two very different things,” Pharaoh grumbled,
Nina smiled and nodded, standing up to call the attending doctor to discuss Pharaoh’s health in detail. “Doctor, my dad has decided he’s ready to start treatment.”“That’s wonderful to hear. We tried convincing him before, but nothing seemed to get through. Sometimes, it really takes family,” the doctor replied with a smile. He was glad to move from simply managing pain to actively trying to save a life. After going over the treatment plan with the doctor, Nina chatted with Pharaoh for a little while before heading home.When she got home, Nina immediately called Micah on a video call. After a long wait, he finally answered, and the weariness etched on his face made her heart ache. “Is work too much?” she asked, concern filling her voice.Micah managed a faint smile. “Yeah, you never truly understand the weight of this job until you’re in it.”Although the doctors had explained that Freya’s miscarriage likely had to do with the embryo’s development, Micah couldn’t help but wond
Nina respected their decision completely. It was their life, and they should be the ones to decide. As his sister, the best she could do was be there to comfort them during hard times.After a few more words, Nina shared the news about Pharaoh with Micah. “Dad was just diagnosed with late-stage liver cancer.”Micah froze. “How could that happen?” he murmured, stunned. When Pharaoh left the country, he had been in good health, and now, in such a short time, it was late-stage cancer.Nina wished it weren’t true either, but the official report from a top-tier hospital left no room for doubt. “Dad initially wanted to skip treatment and just take some medication, but I managed to convince him otherwise,” she said, hoping Micah would come see their father. After all, they were father and son by blood. Even though Pharaoh would not say it outright, Nina was certain he missed his son deeply. Still, given Micah’s current situation, she hesitated to ask him to come back.Micah then spoke u
Freya lowered her head, feeling a wave of sadness. Earlier, she had hoped that once things settled down, she could rest more and start prenatal bonding activities for the baby. But that dream was no longer possible.“Freya? What’s on your mind?” Micah noticed her expression and gently asked.Freya shook her head. “It’s nothing. You should get back to work. I’ll be fine on my own.”She held back her tears while he was with her, not wanting to burden him with her sorrow. Once he left, she could finally let herself grieve.“I’ll stay a bit longer,” Micah said, unwilling to leave her alone. As her husband, he knew her well. He could see she was holding something back, and he suspected it had to do with their loss. He couldn’t take away her physical pain, but he could at least offer comfort.Freya saw through his gentle attempt to comfort her and smiled softly. “I just want to nap. Really, there’s no need for you to stay. Do you think I’d lie to you?”Micah drew her close, wrapping
In the next couple of days, Micah focused intensely on work, while Freya made a point to eat well and get plenty of rest, and her overall complexion noticeably improved. Seeing her like this, a smile crept onto Micah's face. “You look wonderful right now. I love seeing you like this.”Freya teased him, “So, did you not like me before?”Micah’s grin grew wider. “How could I not? As long as it’s you, I’ll love you no matter what. But I still want you to stay healthy. Freya, I want us to have a long, full life together.”Freya felt the same way. Especially when she thought about Pharaoh’s late-stage liver cancer, she realized that money couldn't always buy health. It reminded her how important it was to take good care of herself. Only by loving herself could she truly love others.Micah had arranged a private flight, and as soon as they landed, they drove straight to the hospital. When they arrived, Pharaoh had just finished his treatment for the day.……“Grandpa, does it hurt?” O
“Of course I can,” Pharaoh laughed, feeling a lightness he hadn’t felt in a while. “I could change one in the morning, another at night, no problem at all.” He had been bothered by losing his hair, but talking with Orion and seeing his grandson’s bright eyes filled with excitement made him feel at ease. Who cares about hair? With the right wig, he could still be the coolest grandpa around.“That would be so awesome! Grandpa, you have to pick me up from school sometime with a cool wig on. All the kids would be so jealous,” Orion exclaimed, barely containing his excitement at the thought.Watching the lively conversation between her son and father, Nina couldn’t help but laugh. The way they were enjoying themselves reminded her just how playful grandparents could be, almost like “big kids” themselves.Meanwhile, little Gemma babbled, wanting to join in, though neither Orion nor Pharaoh could understand her baby talk. Pharaoh immediately lifted her into his arms. “Oh, my little pri
Freya held Gemma gently, humming a lullaby as she rocked her. Gemma let out a small yawn, reached up to grip Freya’s collar, and fell asleep in her arms. Freya immediately froze, not daring to move an inch for fear of waking her.She even mouthed to Nina, “I got the baby to sleep!”Nina just smiled. She could tell Freya had put real effort into learning how to soothe a child, and with Gemma being such an easygoing baby, the experience had clearly delighted her. After holding her a little longer, Freya reluctantly laid Gemma down.Meanwhile, Pharaoh exchanged a few words with Micah before getting to the point. “You two came all this way. You’ve seen me, and that’s what matters. Have dinner here tonight, rest up, and head back tomorrow.”Micah gave a resigned smile. “We barely got here and have been here less than half an hour, and you’re already trying to send us off?” He understood Pharaoh’s intention. It was his father’s way of being considerate, not wanting to take up their tim
Pharaoh finally nodded in agreement.Now settled in the VIP room, he had double the space of his previous room, complete with a private bathroom and a small kitchenette. There was no gas line, but they could use an electric cooker for meals. The room also included a separate section with a five-foot bed, designed for family members staying over, providing convenience and privacy.Freya brought in their luggage, settling in for the next few days. Nina helped them get organized, preparing to head home with the kids. With things in order for Pharaoh and Micah here, she could breathe a bit easier. It was time to finally address that organization. They had caused enough harm to innocent children and families. It was time they faced consequences.“I’ll be back soon,” Nina said, picking up Gemma and holding Orion’s hand as they left the room. Freya watched them go with longing, hoping she, too, would soon experience the joy of holding her own child. She didn’t care if it was a boy or