You Can't Do This!

Lara's POV 

“Is it really incurable?” I asked, my heart in my throat as I squeezed the hem of my gown gently and the doctor nodded.

“In my whole experience as a doctor, Mrs. Stone, lung cancer has never been cured successfully. It has spread too far to be treated. Other hospitals may have developed a cure but not ours.” He responded and I let out a shaky sigh, my heart shattering into pieces.

I remembered brushing my hair days ago and was shocked at the amount of hair I lost. So it was cancer. 

“How long do I have, doctor?” I asked shakily, rubbing my pale hands over each other. “How long till this… cancer takes my life?”

“Give or take, Mrs Stone, you have less than six months to live.” He responded and my heart sank into my stomach.

“But… I'm with a child. It hasn't even been four weeks. How will I give birth to her if I won't even make it to nine months?” I questioned, my eyes watering with tears and he let out a defeated sigh.

He placed his hands together on the table as he stared at me with an expression that told me whatever he was about to say wouldn't be good.

“I'd advise you to get rid of the baby, Mrs Stone—”

“No.” I interrupted him, wiping my tears. “There's no way I'll kill my innocent child just because you think I don't have time.”

“If you die, the child dies too. What's the difference if you just get rid of it now? Use the rest of your life to do what you want to do. Live it to the fullest.” He advised, taking off his glasses, and I knew he was right. 

But… how could I just let go of a child I've been expecting for months? I had come to the hospital today for a test when I had been showing odd symptoms of pregnancy. But not only did I get a pregnancy result, but I also found out that I had an incurable disease inside me, and it was killing me slowly.

“And what if there's a chance that I can survive?” I asked shakily and he sighed, shaking his head.

“The only chance that you can survive this is 0.1 percent. That's too low—”

“I don't care. If there's a chance at all, even if it's a little one, I'll take it. I'm not getting rid of this child.” Not when I finally found a way to make Gerald notice me again.

Our marriage had been strained when I didn't get pregnant after three years of being together. This would be the bridge to fixing us once again. And I couldn't let it go.

“It's also risky, Mrs Stone—”

“I accept the risks. My child isn't leaving just because I am.” I said defiantly and he let out a sigh of defeat as he nodded in understanding.

“Alright. I'll give you some prescriptions to take. Do not stress yourself during this period no matter what.”

I left the hospital with my heart in my throat as I got into the car. The driver drove home silently and all I could do was think about how I would tell Gerald about my ailment. 

I didn't want to lie to him, but telling him the truth that I was dying in six months would only make him paranoid about losing the child. Why couldn't I be happy for once in my life?

I let out a sigh as the car came to a stop and I clutched my purse that had my test results in it. I had to find a way to tell him somehow. But good news comes first.

I made my way inside, my heart beating fast as I made my way to our room when suddenly Gerald burst out of the room, looking like he had gotten dressed in less than ten seconds.

He was hurriedly putting on his shirt and buckling his pants, and I wondered if something had happened that he was rushing so fast.

“Gerald? Is something wrong?” I asked and he finally noticed my presence, turning to me with raised brows.

“Where were you all day? I was worried you disappeared. And why do you look so pale?” He asked, and my heart fluttered in my chest at the thought of him getting worried about me.

“Actually… I went to the hospital.” I started as he finally dressed up and he glanced at me, his brows knitted in confusion.

“Are you sick? Why didn't you call the family doctor?” 

“Well—”

His phone rang so loudly that I flinched, interrupting my words, and he immediately took the call, placing his phone to his ear.

“I'll be there in ten minutes, I promise. Something… is holding me back.” He said and then ended the call.

I frowned, looking at him for some kind of explanation and he let out a sigh, shoving his phone into his pocket.

“I'll be out for a while.” He said plainly, and I swallowed, trying not to pry, but I couldn't help myself.

“Where to?” I asked before I could stop myself. “I mean… Is it because of the person who called? Is it some kind of important event? Or business issues?”

“Yeah.” He muttered, like he was trying to think of something. “Business issues. I'll be back before you know it.” 

I knew he was lying but I couldn't prove it. He looked like he couldn't wait to leave and I clutched my purse harder.

“I have something important to tell you, Gerald. It's very important.” I said, trying to see if he would at least want to know what was up with me or why I went to the hospital.

“Can it wait till I'm back?” He asked as he stared at his phone. “I don't have the time right now. When I'm back.” He added and started to rush away, making his way downstairs and out of the house.

All I could do was stare at his retreating figure until the car drove out of the house. When would he ever treat me as someone important to him?

I let out a sigh, making my way to the room as I prayed he would return early so we could come up with a situation. I didn't want to die so I wanted to be sure there was a way I could survive more than the six-month deadline that the doctor had given me.

Minutes turned to hours, and I spent most of my time researching Lungs cancer. It was deadly… and incurable. But after seeing a few success stories about patients who survived, I couldn't help but feel the flower of hope that blossomed in my heart at knowing that I could survive too.

I would survive. And so would my baby.

I glanced at the clock, seeing that it was already past eleven, close to midnight and Gerald still wasn't back. I was worried that something might have happened to him because the way he left earlier was of urgent need.

I tried calling him but I kept getting directed to voicemail every single time. I had no idea when I fell asleep on the couch, but when I woke up, he still wasn't back, and it was past two in the morning.

Strands of my hair were on the couch where my head laid seconds ago and I sighed in despair. 

After realizing that he wasn't coming home tonight, I made my way to our room while scrolling the internet for anything interesting.

Then I saw it. 

The headline was written so boldly that it made my eyes hurt for a minute.

“Famous Billionaire Was Last Seen With Who Appears To Be His First Love That Escaped Death By An Inch.”

My heart nearly stopped as I scrolled down and the first image I saw had the phone slipping out of my hands, straight to the