Chapter 439
“Surgery? Why would Father need a surgery p>
Alexander’s question made everyone freeze on the spot.
The room went quiet. Faces turned pale as they realized, Alexander didn’t remember everything yet. They’d forgotten that he hadn’t recovered all his memories.
Rain blinked, caught off guard. Sanya looked at Aunt Vernice, who was already frowning in worry. Even Father Rock seemed briefly startled. But then, he chuckled lightly and waved a hand.
“Surgery? Oh, that, nothing serious!” he said, smiling. “I just have something bothering me with my teeth. Dentist said it’s better to get it removed soon. That’s all p>
Alexander blinked. “Your teeth p>
“Yeah,” Father Rock nodded quickly. “A stubborn tooth. It’s been annoying me when I eat. No big deal p>
Rain stared at her father, her lips slightly parted in disbelief. Aunt Vernice gave him a sharp look, clearly unimpressed with the lie but said nothing.
Alexander, however, seemed to ease a little. “Oh. Okay… I just thought it sounded serious for a second there p>
“It’s not,” Father Rock said firmly. “Just routine stuff. Don’t worry about it, son p>
Father Rock released a heavy sigh before placing his arm around Aunt Vernice’s shoulders and said, “I’m getting old, my knees sometimes get weak. Your Aunt Vernice is worried that my toothache is getting too much. You see, I tend to lose my balance when I feel sudden pain p>
Sanya cleared her throat and quickly changed the topic. “Should we wait for Aunt Melanie and Uncle Ben in the lounge? They’ll probably be back soon p>
Rain nodded slowly but kept glancing at her father, sensing something was off. Still, she knew her father-in-law might need time before opening up, so she didn’t push it.
“I’ll rest a bit and come down before dinner,” she said gently.
“Oh right, you two must be tired from the trip. I’ll call you once dinner is ready,” Sanya added, giving her a warm smile.
Rain gave a small nod, then turned to Alexander. “Let’s go p>
Alexander nodded and walked beside her, supporting her carefully as they headed upstairs.
“We should use the elevator next time,” he said, half-joking.
Rain let out a soft chuckle. “I can still manage, but for safety, I’ll take your advice especially when you’re not around,” she added with a playful wink.
Alexander grinned, brushing his hand lightly over her back in a comforting gesture.
But as they continued toward her room, Rain’s heart grew heavier. Her smile faded the moment they were alone in the hallway.
Alexander still didn’t know the full truth about his father’s health. Rain had thought he remembered everything, especially since he mentioned that bits and pieces of his past were returning. But clearly, the part about his father’s condition hadn’t come back yet.
She bit her lower lip, torn between wanting to tell him and not wanting to overwhelm him. So much had happened already, and Alexander had been carrying so much, memories, responsibilities, and now their child.
’Would telling him now ease things or only make it worse p>
Rain stepped into the room, letting out a long sigh as soon as she sat on the edge of their bed. Her shoulders sagged, and she rubbed her temples gently. Alexander noticed the conflicted look on her face and joined her, sitting close beside her.
“Rain, tell me what’s really going on,” he said softly, placing a hand on her back. “I know there’s something you’re not saying. I can feel it p>
She stayed quiet for a few seconds, her fingers clenching lightly over her knees. She had been trying to stay strong for everyone… for their child, for Alexander, for the family, but the truth was weighing heavily on her. And yet, she didn’t want to keep Alexander on the dark especially when it came to his own father.
“I didn’t want to stress you,” she finally whispered, her voice shaky. “You’ve been through so much already p>
Alexander turned slightly, gently taking her hand in his. “And you don’t think I can handle more? Rain, I’d rather hear the truth than be left in the dark p>
Rain looked at him. His eyes were calm, sincere, just like they had always been when he was truly present, when he wasn’t hiding behind the fog of memory loss.
“It’s about your father,” she admitted slowly. “He’s sick… much more than he wants anyone to know. He’s supposed to have surgery, but he keeps delaying it p>
Alexander blinked, confused. “Surgery? So it’s really not just a minor dental thing as I suspected p>
Rain shook her head. “That was just an excuse. It’s a brain tumor, Alexander. He’s been having complications for a while. Everyone’s been trying to convince him to go through with the surgery, but… he keeps putting it off. He said he wants to wait until after the wedding p>
A heavy silence fell between them.
Alexander stared ahead for a moment, then slowly ran a hand through his hair. “That’s why everyone looked weird earlier. That’s why you looked worried p>
Rain nodded.
“I didn’t know if you remembered yet… about what he’s been through before. I guess you didn’t p>
“I didn’t,” Alexander muttered, frowning. “But now that you’ve said it… something clicks. It’s like… I knew something was wrong, I just couldn’t put it together p>
Rain leaned her head on his shoulder. “I didn’t want to hide it from you. I just didn’t want you to carry too much at once. We just got back, and p>
“Rain,” he interrupted gently, wrapping his arm around her. “You don’t have to protect me from everything. I’m your partner, remember? We go through things together, good or bad p>
She gave him a small smile, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. “I know… I just didn’t want to see you hurt again p>
Alexander kissed the top of her head. “I’m stronger than I look,” he whispered. “And I have you. That’s all I need to keep going p>
Rain chuckled softly, wiping her eyes. She smiled, then let out a deep breath.
“We’ll talk to him together after the wedding. Maybe it’ll give him a push,” Alexander added.
Rain took a deep breath and turned to him, her eyes filled with concern. “There’s more I need to tell you,” she began gently.