William sat closer to Aurora, his hand gently wrapping around hers. Her fingers were cold—lifeless—and it pierced through him like a dagger. He didn't even realize when the first tear fell."You're too young to go through this much pain," he whispered, voice trembling. "Too young… too delicate… and yet here you are, fighting a battle that even the strongest would fear."
He paused, biting his lip to contain the pain swelling in his chest."I don't know why it hurts so much to see you like this," he continued, his thumb brushing against her fragile hand. "But it does. It really does."
There was silence.
Then, as if drawn by some invisible force, he leaned closer."I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone," he whispered. "A secret… one I buried deep inside me."
He swallowed hard."My baby girl… she had the same disease. Leukemia. Hers was genetic too passed down from her mother. I could've saved her if I had the chance… but how? She was kidnapped before I could even try. She vanished like smoke in the wind."
A tear slipped down his cheek.
"I wonder where she is now. I wonder if she's grown. If she's safe. I bet she's a beautiful woman just like you."He gave a bitter smile.
"You remind me so much of my Hazel. The way you lie there, even in pain, with such calmness on your face it's exactly how she used to look when she slept."
He glanced away, blinking back more tears. "I know you can't hear me. But I needed to say this. I needed to let it out."Just then, the door creaked open.Jake stepped into the room, his eyes falling instantly on Aurora.His heart shattered.She looked like a ghost of herself. Pale. Still. Fragile. The tubes running through her nostrils and mouth. The silent hum of the oxygen machine. The cold, sterile room pressing in on him.
He couldn't breathe.
His feet moved slowly toward her as if weighed down by the heaviness in his chest. He stood at the edge of her bed, staring at her in silence.Words failed him.William turned and noticed Jake, quickly rising to his feet.
"Thank you so much, sir," William said softly, offering a respectful nod. "Don't worry. My men are the best. She's in safe hands."
Jake's voice came out hoarse. "Are you one of the doctors taking care of her?"
"No," William shook his head gently. "I'm a neurologist I operate on the brain. But I'm also the CEO of this hospital… and Kim Mega Industries."
Jake's eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute… sir, I think I know you." William's expression lit up slightly. "Of course! I remember now. We met at the World's Businessmen Summit, didn't we?"Jake smiled faintly. "Yes, sir. That's right."
"Now it makes sense," William chuckled. "I had this nagging feeling I'd seen you somewhere. Jake Scott, if I'm not mistaken."
"That's me. "Wow. It's good to see you again, Jake."The honor is mine, sir." William walked closer to the bed. "Don't worry the cardiologists here are the best in Latin America." Jake blinked. "Cardiologists? But… isn't that heart-related? Why are they involved in her treatment?"
William nodded solemnly. "Yes, it is. But they had to step in. Her primary doctors were concerned that the disease might begin affecting her heart. They're doing everything they can to prevent that."He exhaled slowly. "Listen, Jake. Blood cancer—leukemia—isn't an ordinary illness. Aurora's case started in the bone marrow. It's genetic."Jake frowned. "But I thought she was suffering from G6PD?"
William's eyes darkened. "That's the genetic name for it. G6PD is a rare, inherited form of leukemia. Aurora's was passed down either from her mother… or father."Jake's breath caught.William continued. "Her bone marrow is producing abnormal white blood cells. These cells don't die like they're supposed to. They multiply, taking over, and limiting the ability of her healthy cells to function properly."Jake felt his world collapsing.
William's voice grew heavier. "Aurora's case is chronic. That's why she wasn't showing major symptoms at first. This type progresses slowly. Some of the leukemic cells can still mimic the function of normal ones for a while."
Jake leaned on the railing of her bed, eyes wide."But eventually, they overwhelm the system," William added grimly. "As their number increases in the blood, they choke out the normal cells. And that's what's happening now. Slowly… steadily… it's getting worse." Jake lowered his gaze, a heavy silence settling between them.William glanced at him. "You seem to know quite a bit about health issues. How?"
Jake let out a sad smile. "Aurora's a surgeon. She lectures me about everything always explaining medical terms, giving me mini-lessons during dinner. I even know how to set a drip now, thanks to her." William gave a small smile. "She must really love what she does."She does," Jake replied quietly. "And she is damn good at it." He looked down at her, the weight of helplessness pressing on his shoulders.
"And now… she's the one on the table."
William placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "But she's also a fighter." Jake nodded, wiping away a stray tear. "She always has been."