Chapter 3 Nothing to Do with Each Other

I already had my agreement printed when both families arrived at the notary's office the next day.

Likewise, Corbin had hired a lawyer.

Rafael even found an acquaintance to record the meeting. According to him, he was worried that someone might make up stories online and accuse them of refusing to save me after I died.

The agreement was eight pages long, but it came down to three things.

Firstly, I was voluntarily giving up treatment. I would be responsible for all future medical expenses and debts myself. And after my death, no one could pursue either family for anything in my name.

When I remained silent, Sylvia sighed. "Lachlan, we don't want things to be this way either. But a transplant isn't guaranteed to work. Who can afford to pour hundreds of thousands into it, only to lose both the money and the person in the end."

Elise immediately chimed in, "It's harsh, but she's not wrong. We can't bankrupt both families for one person."

I looked up. "The doctor already confirmed that the full course of treatment for leukemia will only cost $400,000."

Rafael frowned. "Why are you still talking about money? Dominic's insurance is already in effect. If we cancel it, we'll only get back a tenth of the premiums. That's his retirement savings. Stop eyeing it."

The money could secure Dominic's retirement thirty-seven years from now. Yet, $400,000 wasn't worth spending to save me now.

The lawyer turned to the final page. "Mr. Montclair, once you sign this, neither family will be responsible for your medical expenses anymore. Are you sure?"

Corbin tapped the table. "You agreed yesterday. Don't change your mind now."

Dominic sat between all four parents, wearing the $188,000 watch on his wrist. When he noticed me looking, he tugged his sleeve over it. "Lachlan, why don't I give you my allowance? It isn't much, but it can cover part of your hospital stay."

Sylvia immediately took hold of his arm. "Keep your money and focus on taking care of yourself. We'll handle his situation."

Dominic's eyes reddened. "But Lachlan is family too."

Rafael patted him on the shoulder. "You're just too kind."

I was the one who was dying. Yet, everyone in the room was comforting him.

I picked up the pen and added three more clauses to the agreement.

First, from the date of signing, the two families and I would have no further contact with one another.

Second, neither side would have any further obligations to support, care for, or provide financial assistance to the other.

And third, from that point forward, regardless of which side fell ill, went into debt, or needed a bone marrow transplant, an organ transplant, or any other medical assistance, neither party could demand help from the other on the grounds of family ties.

Corbin laughed when he finished reading. "Who are you trying to scare with this? The four of us are in perfect health. Do you really think we'll ever need anything from you?"

Lillian leaned against the door, scrolling through her phone. "Bone marrow, organs… You're acting like you're so special."

Sylvia, however, looked displeased. "You and Dominic are brothers. If something really happens to him someday, could you honestly stand by and let him die?"

I looked at Dominic. "What if I were the only one who could save him?"

Dominic froze.

Elise spoke first. "Of course you'd have to save him. When someone's life is on the line, if you still hold a grudge over something that happened in the past, you'd be no better than a beast."

So refusing to save someone who was dying made me a beast. Yet, when I was the one dying, they told me not to drag both families down with me.

"Fine. I'll remember that." I signed my name.

All four parents signed one after another.

Dominic also signed as a witness.

…

When the recording was over, Elise handed me a bank card. "There's $30,000 on it. Make it last."

Corbin added, "Don't spend it all on treatment. When you die, you'd still need money for the funeral."

I pushed the card back. "Give it to Dominic. He's still thirty-seven years away from sixty. He needs the money more than I do."

I handed the notarized agreement to Maxwell, picked up the wooden box, and left.

Just then, Sylvia called after me. "Take pictures of your ID, bank cards, and hospital paperwork and send them to us. Dominic's life insurance beneficiary designation needs to be updated."

She avoided my eyes. "You don't have many days left anyway. Better to take care of some things while you're still alive. It'll save us the trouble after you're gone."