Chapter 227
“Elaine!” Ryan hisses.
“What?” she says, looking unfazed. “I’m cutting to the chase. No one wants a dramatic buildup, especially not you.”
The doctor clears his throat, adjusting his glasses. “Well, let’s start with the biopsy results, shall we?”
Ryan feels his pulse quicken as the doctor pulls up a file on his computer. The room feels hot. His eye dart like he’s about to offer her stock tips instead of potentially life–altering news.
The doctor’s face is neutral as he scans the screen. Ryan wonders if they can hear his heart pound.
“Alright,” the doctor says, looking up. “The lump we removed was benign.”
Ryan blinks. “What?”
“Benign,” the doctor repeats. “Non–cancerous. No further treatment is required, though we’ll want no changes over time.”
to Elaine, who’s looking at the doctor
+15
For a moment, Ryan doesn’t breathe. The words hang in the air, refusing to sink in. Then the relief hits Falling into his hands. “Oh, thank God.”
to
with Jou with regular check–ups to ensure
his chair, his head
him. He
Elaine claps her hands together, the sound sharp and startling. “Well, isn’t that wonderful?” she says. “I guess
coffins after all.”
Ryan lifts his head to glare at her. “Do you ever stop?”
back in,
don’t hav
to start shopping for
“Not when I’m having this much fun.”
The doctor clears his throat. “I understand this has been a stressful time for you, Mr. O’Brien. If you have them now.”
any further
concerns,
s, we can discuss
Ryan shakes his head, still dazed. “No, I… I just… thank you.”
The doctor nods. “Of course. Take care of yourself.”
“Actually,” Elaine says, “I have a concern.”
Ryan’s head snaps toward her. He doesn’t know why, but he’s suddenly nervous.
Elaine leans forward, her elbows resting on the desk. “I’d like to know what it would take to get a positive diagnosis.”
The room freezes.
“I beg your pardon?” the doctor says.
My LEAR
“You see, my son here is going through a rough time with his wife. It’s gotten to the point of a divorce. The trial is next week. And, well, I really wished he had cancer. You know, something to keep her from leaving him. Nothing too serious, of course. Just enough to pull on those heartstrings.”
Ryan’s jaw drops, but no sound comes out. He feels like he’s been hit by a bus, his brain struggling to catch up with what just came out of her mouth.
Elaine doesn’t even glance at him. She’s too busy giving the doctor her most sympathetic, woe–is–me expression. “If that’s the only thing I can do for him before I die, I’d empty my bank account for it.” She leans in closer, lowering her voice. “You see, I have just three months left on this earth.”
The doctor stares at her, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. He finally finds his voice, though it’s strained at best. “I… I don’t think I understand-”
“Oh, come now,” Elaine cuts him off. “Surely there’s a way to tweak those results. A little creative paperwork, maybe? I won’t tell anyone, I promise.” She flashes him a wink that makes Ryan want to crawl under the desk and die.
“Elaine!” Ryan says.
She turns to him. “What? I’m trying to help.”
The doctor clears his throat again, but this time it’s less polite, more like he’s trying to choke down the urge to yell. “Mrs. O’Brien, I’m afraid I must remind you that falsifying medical records is not only unethical but also illegal. And frankly, this suggestion is-”
“Oh, spare me the lecture. You don’t understand. I’m a mother at the end of her rope. My son is falling apart before my very eyes, and if there’s even the slightest chance I can save his marriage, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
N/3
+15
12:19 PM
Chapter 227
Ryan slumps in his chair, his face anyone else.
“Mrs. O’Brien,” the doctor
“Oh, don’t Mrs. O’Brien me,” she
snaps.
in his
this is happening. “Elaine, stop,” he says, though it’s more to himself than
“You don’t knowURNS/71
what
your fancy degrees, judging me while my heart is breaking
Ryan lifts his head just in time to see the d
“Mrs. O’Brien,” he says, his voice measured you both left.”
to
AFIFTHE our child lose everything! You sit there in your fancy otice was
but
face
firm.
“You’re throwing us out? After I’ve poured my heart
“Yes,” the doctor replies. “I am.”
a
out
lo
Ryan doesn’t wait for Elaine’s rebuttal. He’s already out
of
his
chair,
Sional patience
to
thinly veiled annoyance.
facility. I have other patients to attend to. If you’re done, I’d appreciate it if
“This isn’t over!” Elaine hisses as they exit. “Mark my words, Dr. Fancy Suit, you’ll regret
N
by
the
arm and
dragging her toward the door.
Ryan keeps his head down as they pass the receptionist. This, he thinks, might be the worst day of his life. And yet, as they step into the parking lot, he can’t help but marvel at Elaine’s sheer audacity. For all her flaws–and there are many–she could’ve had a stellar career on Broadway.
“What the hell was that about?” he asks, as soon as they’re near his
“What was what about?”
car.
“Oh, cut the bullshit,” he snaps, spinning to face her. The afternoon sun beats down on them, glinting off the glossy surface of his car. He folds his arms. “I called you here for emotional support, and that’s what I thought you’d be giving. But what you just pulled in there? That wasn’t support. That was insanity.”
“Insanity? I call it commitment.”
“By trying to bribe a doctor?”
She waves him off. “Oh, grow up, Ryan. You’ve lived in your cushy little bubble your entire life, and you don’t know how the world works.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means,” she says, stepping closer, “when you want something, you fight for it. If the easy way isn’t working out–and it rarely does, by the way— you go for the jugular. You think all those couples celebrating fifty years of marriage got there because they always did the right thing? No. Sometimes, you have to go to extremes for the people you love.”
Ryan blinks at her, his jaw tightening. “And you think this was about love?”
“Of course it was. I know you love Julie. You’re so stupidly in love with her that it physically disgusts circus act if I didn’t think you had a shot?”
“There’s no saving my marriage, Elaine.” The words come out flat, resigned. “Julie doesn’t want me.”
Elaine shrugs, leaning against the car. “Maybe not. But she could still be your friend.”
“Friend? After everything?”
- me. Do you think I’d waste my time on this
“Don’t underestimate the power of impending death,” she says. “It weakens even the strongest of hearts. Sure, you were a piece–of–shit husband. But you’ve been good to me. And we made a deal before my arraignment, didn’t we? Let me settle my end of it.”
Ryan exhales, his head falling forward until it rests against the car’s roof. The metal is hot against his skin, grounding him. “God, I miss her,” he mutters, almost to himself.
Elaine places a hand on his shoulder. “I know. We don’t need that quack doctor anyway. I’ll send her a message, get things rolling. All you have to do is play nice.”
He lifts his head, eyes narrowing. “Play nice?”
“Drop the charges. Support the divorce. Act like you’re okay with her new relationship. Be the picture of maturity and selflessness. Women adore that shit.”
“You think that’ll work?”
“It’ll at least get her talking to you,” Elaine says. “And from there, who knows? You’re charming when you’re not being a sulking brat. You’ll be fine.”
Ryan smiles. “You know, you’d have made a great mother in another life.”
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