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The joy of Christmas felt as if it had fulfilled Miss Audrey Hepburn's final wish.

But once the new year of 1993 began, her health suddenly plummeted.

Undergoing chemotherapy in a Swiss hospital, Miss Hepburn collapsed from the severe side effects and was immediately admitted into a ward.

At her bedside, Henry and Robert watched as she lay unconscious. All her vital signs hovered at dangerously low levels. Though her condition wasn't worsening further, the severity was plain to see.

The doctor had just finished explaining the possible emergency measures—harsh, invasive procedures.

Robert asked worriedly, "Doctor, are these treatments really necessary?"

The doctor replied, "To be honest, it's a gamble whether Miss Hepburn can endure this and naturally recover. But given her age and existing health, the odds of that are very slim.

"So using machines to sustain her life is the safest route. However, in my experience, once a patient is hooked up to those machines, it's rare for them to ever regain their former health."

Doctors who've seen enough patients can tell whether recovery is still possible.

But whether medical necessity aligns with the family's wishes—those don't always match. Doctors can't just unilaterally decide life and death. Miracles, after all, sometimes do happen.

"Henry." Helpless, Robert turned to his comrade who had shared the duty of caring for Miss Hepburn.

Henry shook his head. "I've already notified her two sons. They're on their way. Legally, neither of us has the authority to make any decisions."

Turning back to the doctor, he added, "So please, do your utmost to maintain her life for now. The decision about machines must wait for her children."

"I understand." The doctor immediately gave a series of orders, and the nurses began moving swiftly.

Would transferring her to America even help now? Henry wondered privately.

Both Sean and Luca, though living apart, arrived at almost the same time. At the hospital, it was Henry who briefed them first—something everyone had long grown used to since he'd become Miss Hepburn's assistant. He always gave the initial summary, and if anything was unclear, people would follow up directly.

Sean declared, "No matter what it takes, we should preserve our mother's life."

But Luca countered, "I think we should give her a dignified passing, rather than leaving her body full of tubes, kept alive without consciousness."

The brothers could not convince one another. Henry and Robert stayed quiet, ready to step in only if fists started flying.

"What about you, Robert?" Luca asked.

Caught off guard, Robert froze. He had no wish to enter this family conflict. But with both brothers staring him down, he couldn't remain silent.

Luca pressed, "You've spent more time with Mother in the past decade than we have. If she were awake, what do you think she would want?"

Cornered, Robert answered, "Luca, I believe your mother would agree with you—that she'd want to depart with dignity, not be turned into some kind of medical cyborg, dragged along half-alive."

"You call that an opinion?" Sean snapped. "If she's alive, there's still a chance. But if we give up now, then even if recovery might've been possible, with life gone, all chances are gone too!

"And who are you to say this, Robert? You have no right. Henry, what about you?"

Oh great. So you're forcing me to take your side, huh?

Robert's view was dismissed as unqualified. But if Henry spoke, suddenly it would count?

Henry had no intention of siding with a hot-headed son. He said calmly, "Actually, why not ask Miss Hepburn herself?"

At once, everyone stared at him with open disdain. Sean especially scowled. "She's unconscious. Nobody knows what she thinks. Otherwise we wouldn't be asking you."

Henry said evenly, "This world has mutants. Some have telepathic abilities. Even if Miss Hepburn can't speak, her mind isn't dead. Her consciousness should still be there."

Sean frowned. "If you had that option, why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Because whatever result comes from a mutant's ability has no legal weight. It cannot be used as a doctor's basis. Only you two have the authority to decide on her behalf. And whether you're willing to trust a mutant's ability—that's another matter."

Now Luca frowned. "So you're a mutant? You have this ability?"

Henry shook his head. "No, I'm not. And I don't have telepathy. But I can find someone who does. The question is—do you want me to?"

(Truth is, I'm an alien. And no, I don't have telepathy.)

The brothers exchanged a glance. Finally Sean nodded. "Henry, please. How soon can your friend get here?"

"I'll reach out right away. I don't know how long it will take them, but I'll ask."

"Thank you."

Henry stepped out of the ward and found a public phone that could dial internationally.

Who else could he call but the X-Men? Not necessarily Professor X—preferably not the bald man himself. Plenty of telepaths among them. Anyone would do.

It had been half a year since the Dark Phoenix incident, and he hadn't contacted them since. In fact, they had reached out to him first, never the other way around.

Would they even help now? Henry wasn't sure, but he dialed anyway.

With his heart uneasy, he waited. The call was answered by a sweet female voice:

"This is Jean Grey's School for Gifted Youngsters. Who's calling?"

Hm? The school changed names? Did something happen to the X-Men?

He wondered, but it didn't matter. Henry said, "This is Henry Brown. Please find me an X-Man, anyone will do. Oh—and preferably Hank McCoy. Is he there?"

That rugged-looking, soft-hearted Beast—easy to talk to.

(Not bully… just persuade. I'm a kind soul. I'd never bully anyone.)

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