4

Stomach cancer... too late... months.

Those words rang in her head over and over again. Thalia left the doctor's office in a daze. The next thing she knew, she was sitting in her car in the parking lot with no idea of how she got there. How was it possible that she only had months to live? Could it be a misdiagnosis? Maybe they mixed her results with someone else's. Or it could be a typing error. Mistakes like that happened all the time. Didn't they?

It was impossible that she was sick. She refused to believe it. How long did it take for the doctors to deem cases hopeless? If she'd been sick all that time why hadn't she known it? Her body would have given her signs. Weight loss, loss of appetite, heartburn, fatigue. There were signs everywhere but she attributed them to stress. But how could she have known? No. She wasn't going to believe any of it. That doctor was wrong.

As she drove back to the office, Thalia convinced herself it was a mistake. She would go to another hospital and get a second opinion. And even if the results were the same, she could be cured. She had enough money to get the best treatment there was in the world. Someone out there could make her better. Because no matter what happened, she couldn't die yet. Cameron and Celia still needed her.

Tanner arrived at the office at the same time she did. He looked happy and normally his jovial mood would put a smile on her face regardless of how she felt. But it felt as if she'd just been given a death sentence. Her time was limited. The last thing she felt like doing was celebrating with her partner and friend. When he got in the elevator with her, she tuned him out.

"I deserve a hug and a pat on the back for winning this case. Come on, bring it home Tee... Hey"

"Not now Tanner," she told him walking away the moment the doors slid open. Going straight to her office and she locked herself inside. It had originally been her father's and she'd been so proud to take over from him. She worked harder than anyone because she didn't want them pointing fingers and saying she didn't deserve that position. She might have inherited the firm but it hadn't been easy retaining clients and upholding its reputation. Now she wondered why she'd cared so much. Why did anyone's opinion matter?

She was sick because she had overworked herself and ignored the symptoms. Would anything be different if she'd chosen to live a relaxed life, away from the office? It wasn't like she needed the money. Why had she pushed herself so hard? What could she accomplish in six months? How did one prepare to die?

Tanner could handle the law firm until Cameron was ready to take over. But did she want to force him to do it? What if he didn't want to be a lawyer? Both her kids had trust funds. In terms of money, they had enough to live the rest of their lives without worry. Soon enough, they would move out to start their lives and wouldn't need her. They weren't going to miss her that much. As for Gideon, he'd survive. He could even marry another wife if he wanted. She had nothing to worry about.

Except she didn't want to die. There was still so much she hadn't done. She wanted to be there when Celia got her first period. Cameron hadn't introduced his first girlfriend to them. She'd always imagined how she would feel when they got married and had their own kids. But now it seemed that she wouldn't live long enough to see them graduate high school. What had she done to deserve such a cruel fate? Why her?

"Ma'am, are you okay?" Bianca asked from the other side of the door pulling her from her thoughts. Thalia realized it was already dark outside. "Everyone has left and I was wondering if you needed something"

She got up and opened the door. Her secretary stared at her with concerned eyes. It was obvious she hadn't left because she was worried. Had she figured out the truth? She was the only one who knew Thalia had gone to the hospital. What would happen to Bianca after she passed away? To everyone around her?

They'd continue living their lives. Aside from her husband, no one would remember her forever. How long until they forgot her?

"I'm fine. You should go home"

"Mr Hale wanted to talk to you. He requested you call him after you were done"

"Okay," she agreed even though she wasn't going to do it. At that moment, the only person she wanted to talk to was Gideon. It was past nine so he had to be home already. But when she arrived, Pam told her he wasn't. She couldn't wait until he came back. She needed to see him. To have his arms around her and for him to reassure her everything would be okay. Spinning around, she left. Driving to his office. Thirty minutes later, she looked up at the building where his practice was.

Thalia remembered the first day she'd taken him there and told him the four-story building was his. He has been so happy and promised to never let her down.

"This is not a formal proposal but I want you to know that we'll get married. Once I've made a name for myself, once I'm worthy, I'll stand beside you proudly"

How long ago was that? She'd thought they had their whole lives ahead of them. She'd thought they would grow old together. How wrong she'd been. Sniffing, she wiped her tears and got out of her car. It didn't look like any of his employees were around which meant he was probably in his office studying a case or having a meeting. Just as well since they needed the privacy. His office was on the second floor. Thalia took the stairs to buy herself more time. She practiced how she would break the news to him.

He'd convince her to get a second and third opinion. Then he would hold her hand during all those treatments the doctor had suggested. Even when she was weak and frail, he would be there for her. He'd make sure she was happy during her last moments. He had the kids so he wouldn't be so lonely. Hopefully, her sickness would bring him and Cam toge... Thalia stopped. She was a few feet away from Gideon's office and there were voices coming from inside. Was he in a meeting with his employees? She could wait in the...

"Harder," a voice said followed by a loud moan. That didn't sound like a meeting.

Were his employees sneaking around in his office? But even as she asked herself that, deep down she knew the truth. Bile rose in her throat as she moved toward the door. All the while she chanted 'He wouldn't do that to me'.

The door wasn't fully closed. With shaking hands, Thalia pushed it open. Just enough to see inside without alerting them of her presence. Her eyes zeroed in on the two naked people on the couch. Their backs were turned to her so she couldn't see the woman's face but the man's? She'd never mistake him for someone else.

Gideon kissed along the woman's spine and then with his hand on the back of her neck, he shoved her face down. His other hand connected with her skin, the sound of the slap ringing out in the air.

"Naughty girl. You like that. Don't you? I can feel your greedy little pussy milking my cock"

"Fuck me, Daddy"

"My sweet Lia. Once I'm done with you, you won't be able to walk for a week"

"Yes, daddy"

Thalia had heard and seen enough. With tears blurring her eyes, she stumbled out of the building. Covering her mouth with her hand to stop herself from screaming. She was dreaming. That entire day was a bad dream she would soon wake up from. That had to be it. There was no way she was sick and Gideon wasn't cheating on her with a woman who called him daddy.

It was only after she'd gotten in her car that his words registered.

My sweet Lia

He'd referred to that woman with the same name he called her. Or was it the other way around?

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