Page 32 of Dr. Billionaire's Fake Marriage

I still find it hard to believe that Mother has a terminal illness, right under my nose. I am a doctor living in her house, and she say anything about it. It makes me feel sick to my stomach.

I am more mad at myself than at Troy for trying to exploit her health to his advantage.

I hope Troy will laugh this off and apologize for joking about such a delicate matter. But he doesn't laugh; he is serious.

"I have nothing to say to you." I stand up to leave, but he follows and begs me to let him drive me home.

I stand by the road and wave at the next taxi coming my way. I enter the cab before he can even hold the door.

I meet Mother in the living room, binge-watching her old show - the one she used to watch with my father. I clench my fists as I see her tired face.

I had been so busy detesting her love for my father that I couldn't see her dying beside me.

"Mom," I say and fall on my knees. "Is it true? Troy told me you are diagnosed with cancer."

Mother's face falls to the ground, knowing that I have caught the lie she wants to cover up. "I planned to tell you, "She starts, "but you have been busy with work, and I didn't want you to stress over me."

I shake my head. "I am so sorry," I say. "I will ensure that you get the right treatment."

Mother shakes her head. "We can't afford it," she says. "Your boss says it costs over sixty thousand to get me on the list of the hospital's research candidates, and we can't afford that right now."

“There was never a time we could have afforded it, but you shouldn’t have kept a big sickness from me.” I hold her hand and mutter, “I am a doctor, and I have failed at my job if Mother is sick under my nose.”

"I am sorry," Mother apologizes, but I don't think she should.

I should apologize for failing as a daughter and a doctor.

"You don't have to be mad at your boss. I was going to tell you, but you have been out of the house lately."

I am silent, waiting for her to tell me all about what is happening in her body. She stands up to go to her room and returns with a piece of paper.

"It is ovarian cancer," Mother says. "It is still in the early stage, and your boss thinks the earlier we do the operation, the faster I will recover."

Troy is right; we must get her operated on before it spreads. I have seen many people in surgery, but I never thought I would be in surgery with my own mother. I sigh. Yes, I have been out of the house trying to avoid her. It makes me feel even worse.

"I will get you the right treatment," I promise her. "I will get you on top of that list."

“How do you plan to do that?” Mother’s concerned face meets mine.

I plan to marry TroyRobinson, I thought to myself. “You shouldn't worry about it.” I kiss her on her forehead as I stand, taking the blanket at her side to cover her up.

"Mom," I call before leaving the living room, "don't keep anything from me again."

“I promise,” she utters and blinks her eyes.

I retire to my room, playing the meeting with Troy again in my mind. He desperately wants to escape his mother's matchmaking trap and thinks I can help him.

Six months,his proposal rings in my head,We just have to stay married for six months,and he will get Mother the surgery she needs to get the cancer out of her body.

I will do whatever it takes to ensure she gets the surgery she needs, even if it means getting married to Troy Robinson.

****

"Hey, babe."

Amelia smiles as I am about to take the stairs. "You look tired. Are you okay?" She came to the hospital a few minutes after me and was able to find me because the elevator was delayed.

I nod at her, but she can see through my eyes even when I look up to see if the elevator is responding. "I know you are lying," she says. "Is this about Troy?"

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