?Chapter 585:


    When they settled into the car, Rachel could no longer hold back. “It hurts. Can you loosen up a little?”


    Only then did Brian rx his grip slightly. Still, his fingers stayedced with hers the entire way.


    Once upon a time, Rachel had dreamed of moments like this, but now that it was real, it felt both painful and ironic.


    When they reached the hospital, Carol’s family was already gathered. Aron and Debby stood by the entrance, their expressions dark with concern, while Doris, standing off to the side, dabbed at her teary eyes in silence.


    The moment Doris saw Brian, she ran to him and grabbed onto his arm, her voice breaking. “Brian, Grandma… she…”


    Her voice cracked before she could finish, and she broke into sobs. Rachel and Brian felt their hearts tighten with dread.


    “What happened to her? Where’s Grandpa?” Brian asked urgently.


    Doris hupped through her tears, unable to form a coherent response. Brian turned to his father, his voice tense. “Dad, tell me what’s going on.”


    Aron stepped forward, cing a firm hand on Brian’s shoulder. “Son, you need to brace yourself. Your grandma… she doesn’t have much time left.”


    “How is that possible?” Rachel’s voice shook, unable to ept it. “What illness? How did it get this bad so suddenly?”


    Aron exhaled deeply before speaking. “Pancreatic cancer.”


    R?????? ??h?? ???????? ??t g??l??ov?ls.?????


    One of the most merciless cancers. Some people didn’t evenst a month after being diagnosed. Now that this relentless disease had imed Carol, none of them could bring themselves to ept it.


    A sinking weight dragged Brian’s heart down, his voice barely above a whisper. “She had routine check-ups every single year. How could something like this have gone unnoticed? What changed?”


    His fingers curled into fists, his body taut with frustration, unable to ept the cruel reality. “I’ll have Ronald look into this immediately,” he said, already reaching for his phone.


    Before Brian could dial, Aron gently grasped his arm. “There’s no need. Her tests were normal. She… she knew all along. She hid it from us, even from your grandpa.”


    The air grew heavy with silence, sorrow reflected in everyone’s eyes.


    Without a word, Brian turned and headed for the stairwell, disappearing for several minutes. Growing concerned, Rachel hurried after him.


    In the dimly lit stairwell, she paused a few steps away. The man who always carried himself with power and authority now sat slumped on the stairs, his face etched with pain. Beyond his grief, Rachel could see the weight of guilt crushing him. He had arranged Carol’s check-ups, ensured every test was thorough, every result verified—yet he had never imagined Carol would conceal the truth. If only he had known sooner, things might have been different.


    Rachel stepped forward and stood quietly beside him. She knew he didn’t need words—just someone to share the moment. Without speaking, she rested a hand gently on his shoulder. In response, Brian pulled her into his arms, leaning against her. He looked defeated and adrift.


    .


    .


    .