“What?” I rasp.
His dark eyes are so mournful as he gazes at me. “It’s terminal, Cass. We found it too late.”
He wraps his arms around me while I weep on his chest. It’s comforting, but nothing can prevent the gaping hole developing in my heart.
This isn’t fair.
“How? How did we not pick it up when we saw the doctor for the fertility tests?”
He rubs my back. “Maybe because it wasn’t what we were looking for? To be fair, the first lot of bloods they did weren’t flash but they weren’t terrible. They were thorough though and looked past that. I’ve had scans—the lot.”
I pull away. “And that’s it?”
Mark shakes his head. “No. I mean, I’ll go and see my doctor and ask what else I can do, but the diagnosis was enough that I could get out of the rest of my contract and come home. They’re certain about what it is.”
“I guess we have to find out about treatments here. How we beat this?”
He frowns. “I think we have to prepare for the worst.”
Tears roll down my cheeks. “How are you so calm?”
“Maybe because I’ve got a month’s head start on this. I don’t want to leave you, Cassie. Please tell me you know that.”
I nod. “Of course I do.”
“Mum? What’s going on?”
My heart sinks at Sophie’s voice.
Her gaze darts between Mark and me. Telling her isgoing to break my heart—as if it’s not already broken enough.
“Come here, love.” Mark opens his arm to her, and she walks toward the couch, shooting glances at me.
We’re about to break her heart.
She sits the other side of him, and he gives me a squeeze.
I look at him before shifting my gaze back to her. “Mark had to come home early because he’s sick.”
She frowns. “What do you mean sick?”
Mark gives her shoulder a squeeze. “Your mum’s trying to say that I’ve been diagnosed with cancer.”
“No.” Her hands fly to her mouth, and her eyes swim with tears.
I’ve just hurt my child in a way I never, ever wanted her hurt. But there’s no way to avoid it. She has to know.
“Come here.” Mark opens his arms and Sophie falls into them. He hugs her tight, closing his eyes.
How long has he had symptoms he brushed off?
It makes me angry, but I can’t be angry at him. He wasn’t to know. It’s not like he was in agonising pain and ignoring it.
I look up as he reaches for me, and the three of us are a weepy bundle on the couch.
How the hell do we tell Lauren?
After what feels like an eternity huddled together, Mark kisses me on the top of my head.
