Moment

Chapter 32

Bruno’s POV

I stepped into my car and slammed the door shut in frustration, the loud sound echoing in the quiet compound. I leaned back against the seat, breathing heavily, trying to calm the storm building inside me.

They really want me to marry Ariana.

It was obvious from the start that this wasn’t about me. It was about her family’s status, their influence, and whatever benefit the alliance would bring. But still, I never expected them to push this far.

I had refused countless times.

Clearly and firmly.

Yet they kept bringing it up, over and over again, as if my opinion didn’t matter.

Now they had gone from suggesting it… to demanding it.

I clenched my jaw, feeling irritation rise again.

Suddenly, a wave of discomfort hit me.

My chest tightened, and my head began to spin slightly. I frowned, gripping the steering wheel as dizziness crept in.

“Not now…” I muttered under my breath.

I quickly reached for the small safe compartment in my car and opened it. My fingers moved fast as I took out my medication. Without wasting time, I placed a pill in my mouth and swallowed it with some water.

I shut my eyes immediately, resting my head against the seat.

I had taken my medication this morning.

So why was I feeling like this again?

I stayed still for a moment, waiting for the drug to take effect, focusing on steadying my breathing.

A soft beep from my phone broke the silence.

I opened my eyes slowly and reached into my pocket, pulling it out. My brows furrowed slightly as I read the message.

It was from Doctor Anthony.

Don’t forget to come for your check-up today.

My eyes widened slightly.

How did I forget?

I exhaled sharply, dropping the phone beside me. Without wasting another second, I started the engine and drove out of the compound, heading straight to the hospital.

The drive was quick. I pressed harder on the accelerator than usual, eager to get there as soon as possible.

Within minutes, I arrived.

I parked the car and stepped out, adjusting my face mask before heading inside. My steps were steady, but my mind was still unsettled.

I walked straight to the doctor’s office and knocked gently on the door.

“Come in,” his voice came from inside.

I pushed the door open and stepped in. Doctor Anthony stood up immediately upon seeing me.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Bruno,” he greeted warmly, extending his hand.

“Good afternoon, Doctor,” I replied, shaking his hand.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

I sat down across from him, maintaining a calm expression.

“How have you been since your last check-up?” he asked, picking up his pen.

“I’ve been okay,” I replied. “I’ve been consistent with my medications.”

He nodded slightly.

“That’s good to hear.”

I hesitated briefly before adding, “But before I came here today, I suddenly felt dizzy and uncomfortable. I had to take a pill again to stabilize myself.”

He paused, jotting something down on his notepad before looking up at me.

“Alright,” he said. “Let’s proceed with the check-up immediately so we can understand what’s going on.”

“Okay, Doctor.”

He stood up, and I followed him as we moved into the examination room.

The tests took time.

Different machines, different procedures.

At some point, I stopped keeping track of it.

By the time we were done, nearly an hour had passed.

We returned to his office, and I sat quietly, waiting for the results. My gaze remained fixed on the table as he reviewed the reports.

A few moments later, he finally looked up at me.

“Mr. Bruno,” he began calmly, “based on the tests we carried out, it’s clear that you’ve been managing your condition well.”

I listened closely, my expression unreadable.

“Your consistency with the medication has helped a lot. The cancer hasn’t fully spread,” he continued.

I let out a slow breath I didn’t realize I had been holding.

“That’s good news… I guess,” I said quietly.

He nodded.

“Yes, it is. With this progress, we are hopeful that you can live for a few more years, provided you continue your treatment properly.”

A few more years.

The words echoed in my head.

I gave a small nod.

“I understand. I’ll make sure I don’t miss my medications.”

“I’d strongly advise that,” he replied.

I leaned forward slightly.

“But what about the dizziness I experienced earlier today?” I asked.

He adjusted his glasses before responding.

“That could be due to the side effects of the medication,” he explained. “Or it might be triggered by stress.”

Stress.

I almost laughed at that.

“You need to avoid stress as much as possible,” he added.

I nodded slowly.

“I will.”

“I’ve made a few adjustments to your prescription,” he continued. “You can pick up the new medications from the pharmacy before you leave.”

“Alright, Doctor. Thank you.”

We both stood up and shook hands again before I left his office.

After collecting the medications from the pharmacy, I walked back to my car. The air outside felt heavier than before.

I got into the car and shut the door quietly this time.

Leaning back, I let out a long sigh.

A few more years.

That was all I had.

I reached for my phone, which I had left in the car earlier, and checked the screen. A message from Jeffery caught my attention.

It had been sent two hours ago.

Hope you didn’t forget your check-up is today.

A faint smile appeared on my lips.

He never forgets.

Jeffery was the only person who knew about my illness.

Not my parents.

Not my grandfather.

No one else.

I had chosen to keep it that way.

I didn’t want to see the pity in their eyes.

I didn’t want to burden them with something they couldn’t fix.

And most importantly… I didn’t want them to watch me slowly fade away.

Jeffery had kept my secret for five years without slipping once.

That alone meant more than words could express.

It hadn’t been easy, though.

Pretending every day.

Acting normal.

Smiling when nothing felt right.

But I had learned how to hide it well.

No one suspected a thing.

I dropped my phone beside me again and stared ahead for a moment.

Then I started the engine.

Without another thought, I drove out of the hospital, heading straight home.