Page 42 of Remy

“Liv, please trust me.” Dad holds my gaze, compassionate and sympathetic. “This is a lot to take on. But you’ll understand in time. All I need you to know is that your future is my main priority. I don’t want you to have to worry about money if I leave you.”

I shove from my chair. “You’re not going anywhere.”

He stiffens at my outburst.

“You’re not,” I repeat, softer, clinging to my last slither of self-control. “I don’t care about money, or debt, or whatever else has made you keep this from me. All I want is for you to concentrate on getting the best care so you can recover.”

“I am,” he vows. “And my arrangement with Remy’s family has allowed for that. I’m not sure how I would’ve approached this without their financial backing.”

A cold sweat seeps over me. “Please tell me you weren’t going to deny treatment due to finances.”

I’ve already lost a mother. I will not lose him, too.

“No.” He beckons me forward with a curl of his fingers. “I admit I did think about it a time or two. But I promise I’m not in a hurry to be reunited with your mom. I’ll do everything in my power to stay with you as long as possible.”

The promise hits like a physical blow.

We have to be strong.

“I—” The ache in my throat renders me speechless.

So many questions remain unanswered. What type of cancer is he battling? What’s his prognosis? How do we dissolve the arrangement with Remy and his family?

A tap, tap, tap at the door claims my attention, followed by a squeak of hinges.

“Morning, all,” a jovial male voice announces.

My father breaks our pained stare, giving the intruder his full attention. “Morning, Doc.”

I take a few seconds to breathe. To battle against the weakness dragging me under before I turn to see a grey-haired man offering his hand to Remy.

“I’m Doctor Julian Parker. Nice to meet you.”

“Remy. Family friend.”

My eyes flare at the lie.

“And you must be Olivia.” The doctor approaches me with a kind smile. “Your father talks non-stop about you.”

“I wish I could say the same.” I clear the fear from my throat and release Dad’s hold to take the doctor’s outstretched palm, pretending there’s no threatening murderer in the room. “Unfortunately, your patient hasn’t mentioned you at all. Or cancer. Or chemo. This morning is the first I’ve heard of it.”

The doctor softly clasps my hand, the touch exuding comfort. “I can assure you it wasn’t something he wanted to hide, but us humans make a lot of hard choices for the ones we love.” He gives my fingers a quick squeeze, then releases his hold. “If it makes you feel any better, I promise he’s been getting the best treatment available.” He turns his attention to my father. “How’s the head this morning?

“Good. I’m ready to go home.”

The doctor chuckles. “Not so fast. Seeing as though you’re already here, I thought we might run my next round of tests slightly earlier than planned.”

“Now?” My father frowns. “Is that really necessary?”

“I’m afraid so.” Doctor Parker looks to me, then Remy. “I’ll have him discharged later this afternoon.”

Dad sighs. “I could think of a million other things I’d prefer?—”

“Dad,” I beg, hating his negativity in light of the life-threatening situation. “Please.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not giving him a choice.” Parker smiles. “He likes to pretend he doesn’t enjoy being fawned over by all the pretty nurses, but I see right through him.”

Dad barks a laugh. “Yeah, okay. Can you give me a minute to say goodbye to my daughter?”

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