The Marriage She Turned into War novel Chapter 7

My heart raced with anxiety as I picked up the call.

"Hello, is this Mr. Gebb?" It was Dr. Liam Benson from the hospital.

A wave of dread washed over me, and I hesitated before replying, "Yes, this is Samuel. Dr. Benson, is something wrong with my sister?"

Although I was prepared for the news, chills ran down my back when I heard Liam's update on my sister.

"Mr. Gebb, Kayla's cancer cells have started to spread. The chances of success with surgery aren't high. Would you prefer we proceed with surgery, or would you like to consider a non-surgical approach?" he asked gravely.

His words plunged me into the deepest pits of despair. I felt every glimmer of hope drain from me.

Kayla was everything to me. I wanted her to live a healthy life no matter what.

I took a shaky breath and asked, "What is a non-surgical approach, and what are the odds with surgery?"

Liam answered patiently, explaining, "A non-surgical treatment would involve medication to slow the progression, but with the rate of her cancer's spread, I'm afraid…"

He didn't finish the sentence, but I already knew. Both Kayla and I had fragile, unique health profiles.

My condition had only been diagnosed this year after lying dormant, but Kayla's was different. She'd been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer at age three, the first known case of its kind worldwide. No doctor had dared to attempt surgery on her.

All these years, she had been surviving on medication alone.

Just recently, she had been walking. She held my hand and asked me for a doll set for her 12th birthday.

I thought she was finally getting better. How could it have spread so fast that surgery now offered only the slimmest chance?

Given the severity of her condition, it seemed that either option led down the same bleak path. But if there was even a slight chance with the surgery, I had to try. If it worked, she would be safe. I silently prayed, vowing to do whatever it took to help her pull through.

As I told the doctor I wanted to go ahead with surgery, Liam delivered even heavier news.

"Mr. Gebb, our hospital doesn't have the expertise required to perform such a complex surgery."

My heart sank, and I clutched the phone tightly. "What should I do?"

Liam replied gravely, "There might be a sliver of hope if we bring in a top specialist from outside. But the surgery would cost a lot. We estimate it will cost around a hundred thousand dollars."

I exhaled in relief. If there was any chance to cure my sister, I'd find a way to cover the surgery costs, no matter what. After finalizing the details with Liam, I ended the call, planning to ask Abigail for a loan. Since our marriage, she'd been in control of all our finances.

But as the thought crossed my mind, Sophia asked solemnly, "Do you need money?"