CHAPTER 413: WAS I KEPT IN THE DARK?

"Could you... could you please check under which doctor my father is receiving treatment?" Lucius asked as he fought to keep his composure.

Layla gently reached for his hand, standing close by.

The receptionist glanced at the screen again and nodded. "It’s Dr. Robert Mortini," she replied. "Room 803, on the 8th floor."

"Thank you," Lucius said with a polite nod. He turned to Layla, and the two made their way toward the elevators in silence.

As the elevator doors opened on the 8th floor, they stepped into a hallway filled with patients of all ages.

They walked slowly past the waiting area, scanning each face until they reached Room 803. But Alekis and Fiona were nowhere to be seen outside.

"Do you think Father’s inside?" Layla whispered.

"I think so," Lucius replied, his voice tense.

They approached the door just as a nurse stepped forward to stop them. "Excuse me, a patient is already with the doctor."

Lucius leaned slightly forward. "Is it Alekis De Salvo?"

The nurse blinked, surprised. "Y-Yes... how do you know?"

"I’m his son," Lucius said evenly.

Layla added gently, "Please, may we go in?"

The nurse hesitated only a moment before nodding and opening the door for them.

The conversation inside came to an abrupt halt.

Lucius’s eyes widened the moment he stepped inside. "Dad!" he gasped, his voice filled with disbelief and hurt as his gaze landed on Alekis seated across from the doctor.

Fiona immediately rose from her seat, startled, as she saw Lucius and Layla enter.

Lucius’s voice trembled with disbelief and anger as he stepped forward. "What happened to you, Dad? Why are you here? I just found out you’ve been receiving treatment for over three months!" His questions spilled out in rapid succession. "Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why was I kept in the dark?"

The intensity in his voice made heads turn from outside. The nurse quickly closed the door behind them, trying to contain the growing tension within the room.

"Lucius, calm down," Layla whispered, reaching for his arm in a soothing gesture. He clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling as he tried to contain the storm inside him.

"I apologize, Doctor," Alekis said, breaking the silence. "Please forgive my son for the sudden interruption."

Dr. Robert Mortini gave a small nod. "It’s alright. These moments are never easy."

With a weary sigh, Alekis stood from his chair and turned to his son and daughter-in-law. "Come. Let’s talk outside."

They followed him out of the room and down the hallway, eventually stepping into a quiet corner of the hospital, a large open space near a window, away from prying eyes and ears.

"Lucius, we wanted to tell you—" Fiona began.

"Fiona," Alekis interrupted gently, raising his hand. "Let me speak."

Lucius turned to his father, his voice thick with emotion. "Dad, you’re sick... What’s going on? Please tell me you’re going to be alright."

Alekis exhaled slowly, a shadow passing over his face. "It’s stomach cancer. Stage 2."

Lucius stood frozen, the words hitting him like a wave. Alekis continued quietly, "I should have told you earlier, but... I didn’t want to burden you. After everything, you finally found happiness. I didn’t want to take that away."

"Dad..." Lucius stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his father, holding him tightly. His voice broke. "How could you even think that? I’m so sorry... I should’ve checked in more. I should’ve known. This is not your burden to carry alone. We’ll fight this... together. I’ll make sure you get the best treatment. Nothing’s going to happen to you. I promise."

Alekis closed his eyes as he held his son, his own eyes glistening. He placed a hand gently on Lucius’s back.

Layla stood nearby, silently wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. Fiona reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, whispering, "I’m sorry."

Lucius slowly pulled away from the embrace, sniffling as he looked between them. "Does Roderick know?"

Fiona shook her head. "Not yet... we haven’t told him."

"You shouldn’t have kept this from us," Lucius muttered, his jaw tightening. "We’re your family. You don’t have to suffer in silence."

He turned back to his father, his voice softer now. "Have you already started chemotherapy? How have you endured all of this... alone?"

"Not yet," Alekis responded softly. "The doctor was monitoring it. At first, it was Stage 1, and we managed with medications. But now... surgery has been recommended."

Lucius nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of his father’s words. "Alright. I understand," he said with quiet determination. "I’ll speak to the doctor and we’ll get the surgery scheduled as soon as possible."

Alekis felt a heavy burden was finally put off his shoulder as he hummed.

Lucius gently placed his hand on his father’s shoulder, guiding him back toward the doctor’s room.

"Layla, you should—" he began, glancing back.

"I’m coming. I’m fine," Layla replied firmly, offering him a reassuring smile as she walked beside him.

Together, the four of them entered Dr. Robert Mortini’s cabin, where the doctor was already reviewing some reports on his tablet. He looked up and gave them a calm, professional nod.

Once everyone was seated, Dr. Robert turned the screen toward Lucius, showing detailed scans and medical diagrams.

"Mr. De Salvo will be absolutely fine," he began in a composed tone. "The good news is, the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes. It’s localized, primarily affecting the lower portion of the stomach."

Lucius leaned forward, his eyes locked on the screen as he absorbed every word with intense focus.

"We’ll schedule the surgery for next week," Dr. Robert continued, highlighting a specific area on the scan. "Our goal is to remove the tumor from this section. With the proper post-surgery care and possible follow-up treatment, the prognosis is very positive."

Lucius finally exhaled the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He turned to look at his father, whose expression had softened with quiet relief. "Dad, did you hear? You are going to be completely fine," he stated with a smile while caressing the back of his father’s hand.