Chapter 123
At Meta Doctors Hospital
“Tell me it’s not true. There must be a mistake. My father can’t have a brain tumor!” Alexander demanded as he burst into Doctor Lambert’s office.
Doctor Lambert looked taken aback but swiftly understood Alexander’s sudden outburst. He sighed deeply and said, “I’m sorry, Xander. There’s no mistake. The results are clear—your father has glioblastoma, a very aggressive form of brain cancer p>
Alexander clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He stared at the doctor, hoping for some sign that this wasn’t happening, that there was a way out. But Doctor Lambert’s eyes only reflected the harsh truth.
“Your father’s condition is serious. Without treatment, he has approximately four months. With ongoing treatment, we’re looking at 12 to 15 months, but I need to be clear—this is a difficult type of tumor to treat p>
Alexander’s chest tightened. He had read the medical reports Chubby sent him, but hearing the confirmation from Doctor Lambert made it all too real. His father, Rock Lancaster, the man who had been a pillar of strength his entire life, was now facing a battle with time.
“What about surgery? Isn’t that an option?” Alexander asked with strained voice.
“It is, but there are risks,” Doctor Lambert explained. “Surgery can help remove part of the tumor, but it won’t eliminate it entirely. Glioblastomas have a way of spreading into surrounding brain tissue, which makes complete removal impossible. Radiation and chemotherapy can help slow it down, but we’re dealing with a highly resistant form of cancer p>
Alexander felt his heart sink. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his hands gripping his hair. “There’s got to be something… an experimental treatment, a new drug—anything p>
Doctor Lambert hesitated. “There are clinical trials and ongoing research, but nothing has proven to be a definitive cure. Your father’s already begun some treatments that may extend his life, but there’s no guarantee. What we’re trying to do now is buy him time. Quality of life is also something to consider p>
“Time,” Alexander muttered bitterly. “He’s supposed to have years, not months p>
The doctor gave a sympathetic nod. “I understand, Alexander. This is incredibly hard, but your father is a fighter. His positive attitude and the support of his family will go a long way p>
Alexander could barely process what Doctor Lambert was saying; his thoughts were consumed by worry for his father. As Doctor Lambert continued speaking, Alexander’s mind drifted, his focus slipping away. The words became a distant murmur as he felt his world tilt off its axis.
He stumbled out of Dr. Lambert’s clinic, feeling as though the air had been sucked out of his lungs. His legs felt weak, unsteady, and it was only Tyron’s quick reflexes that kept him from collapsing. Tyron guided him to a nearby bench, but even sitting, Alexander’s body trembled.
“Boss Tyron muttered softly, his own voice thick with disbelief. It felt like a nightmare they couldn’t wake up from—the Chairman, Alexander’s father, diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor. The prognosis was devastating: four months without treatment. Even with treatment, he had only 12 to 15 months left, and the survival rate beyond five years was a bleak two percent.
Alexander sat there, staring at the ground, unable to process everything. His father—the man who had shaped his life, his strength, his sense of duty—was dying. And there was nothing he could do to stop it.
“He’s not… he can’t be Alexander’s voice broke, barely more than a whisper.
His hands shook violently, clutching the edge of the bench as though he were trying to hold himself together, but inside, he was falling apart. ’His father,’ the man who seemed larger than life, who had always been there, guiding him, protecting him and his brother, was fading.
’Why hadn’t he said anything? Why had he kept this from me and William p>
Tyron looked away, tears welling up in his own eyes. The news had hit him hard too, but it was nothing compared to the devastation Alexander was feeling. This was his father. The man who meant everything to him.
Alexander’s breath came in ragged gasps, the weight of grief crashing over him in waves. “I don’t know what to do, Tyron,” he whispered, his voice cracking. He buried his face in his hands, shaking his head as if trying to shake off the reality. “I… I can’t lose him. Not like this p>
For the first time in his life, Alexander, who always had the answers, who always knew what to do, was lost. He couldn’t protect his father from this. He couldn’t fix this. And that realization was tearing him apart.
Tyron swallowed hard, his heart aching as he watched Alexander crumble under the weight of the news. “Boss, we’ll figure something out he started to say, but his voice trailed off. He knew there were no easy solutions. No miracle cures.
“I don’t have time, Tyron,” Alexander muttered through clenched teeth, his eyes red and swollen. “He doesn’t have time. What am I supposed to do? Just sit here and watch him die p>
Tyron wanted to comfort him, but there were no words that could ease the pain his Boss was feeling.
They sat in silence and Alexander continued sobbing quietly. After a few moments, he took a deep breath and composed himself.
“Father had his reasons for keeping this from me and William,” he said, his voice trembling. “He didn’t want to see me and William crumbling like this. So we need to act as if we know nothing p>
Alexander took a deep breath, trying to steady his shaking hands. “Tell Doctor Lambert that he must not inform my father that I know about his condition. I want to be the one to tell Dad myself,” he instructed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Tyron nodded. “Understood. I’ll make sure Doctor Lambert knows not to inform Mr. Chairman that you’re aware of his illness and that you’ll handle it yourself p>
Tyron went back inside the clinic to speak with Doctor Lambert, while Alexander remained in the waiting area, feeling too weak to move.
“He’s been fighting it… alone,” Alexander gasped, the words escaping his lips as if they were too painful to utter.