Aden, Bertie, and Roy didn't leave the hospital. They retreated to the hallway, just outside the door, their voices low and angry.
"I can't believe you didn't tell us about the woman," Roy hissed, jabbing a finger into Aden's chest. "You made me look like a damn fool in there."
"I told you what you needed to hear to get her to sign," Aden snapped, pushing Roy's hand away. "Your job was to guilt-trip her, not interrogate me."
"Well, it didn't work," Bertie whined, fanning herself with a magazine. "She's stubborn. Just like her real mother must have been. We should have known better than to take in a stray."
" Don't forget what you promised me. You can only get what you want if she signs it. "
Aiden whispered warily, glancing at the doorway.
Inside the room, Kelly heard it intermittently . The words "biological mother" and "street child" stung her, but she forced back the pain. She was used to it.
The door to the room opened. Dr. Frye walked in, holding a clipboard. He saw Kiley's tear-stained face and paused.
"Mrs. Frost," he said gently. "I have the final results."
Kiley stood up, her heart pounding. "Just tell me."
Dr. Frye glanced at the door, then lowered his voice. "The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. We need to start aggressive chemotherapy immediately."
Kiley nodded, her body numb. She had expected it, but hearing the words made it real.
In the hallway, Aden saw the doctor. He pushed open the door, stepping inside. "What's going on? What's wrong with the boy?"
Dr. Frye looked at Aden, his expression grim. "Your son has leukemia, Mr. Frost."
The words hung in the air. Aden's face went pale. His mouth opened, then closed. He took a step back, bumping into the doorframe.
Bertie and Roy, who had followed Aden in, gasped. Roy clutched his chest. Bertie covered her mouth.
"Leukemia?" Aden whispered. "Cancer?"
"Yes," Dr. Frye said. "It's serious. The treatment will be long and difficult."
Kiley watched Aden's face. She saw the shock, the fear. And then, she saw something else. A flicker of calculation. A brief, ugly moment of relief.
A child diagnosed with cancer will be a heavy financial burden, and even if cured, they will not be able to shoulder the responsibilities of the family.
If this son is already ruined, then he can afford to lose even more money, and he won't have any healthy children with Frost , he can have as many as he wants.
He was relieved. He was relieved that his son had cancer, because it meant he could walk away without guilt. A sick child was a burden. A financial drain. And Aden Frost didn't do burdens.
"You sick bastard," Kiley breathed, her voice trembling with rage.
Aden looked at her, his mask slipping back into place. "This changes nothing, Kiley. I still want a divorce."
"Is it true?" Bertie asked, her voice trembling. "Is it expensive? The treatment?"
"Very," Dr. Frye said. "But with insurance-"
"Her insurance is about to run out," Aden interrupted, his voice cold. "I've already notified my company's HR department. As we are legally separating, your supplementary policy will be terminated at the end of the month."
Kiley felt the floor drop out from under her. "You did what?"
"I'm not paying for this," Aden said, pointing at Jules. "I have a company to run. A life to live. You wanted the kid, you pay for him."
"You're his father!" Kiley screamed, lunging at him. Dr. Frye caught her arm, holding her back.
“ I can be someone else’s father too ,” Aiden said, a cold smile playing on his lips. “That’s all. Kelly, you want to fight? Then come on. But you’ll lose. You have no money, no insurance, and you can’t win a lawsuit.”
He turned and walked out, Roy and Bertie scurrying after him like rats fleeing a sinking ship.
Kiley collapsed into the chair, her body shaking. The anger was gone. All that was left was a cold, hard despair.
Dr. Frye knelt beside her. "Mrs. Frost. We will not turn your son away. We have charity care programs. We will figure this out."
Kiley looked at Jules, who was watching her with wide, frightened eyes. She wiped her face, straightening her spine. She couldn't fall apart. Not now.
"Thank you, Doctor," she said, her voice hoarse. "Do whatever you need to do."
She pulled out her phone. She opened her messages and typed to Camila: I'll take the lawyer. I'll take him down.
She hit send. Then she walked over to Jules's bed and took his hand. "It's going to be okay, baby. I promise."
She had nothing left. No husband. No family. No money. But she had Jules. And she had a rage inside her that was burning brighter than the sun. Aden thought he had won. He thought he could just throw her away.
He was wrong.
