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“I want you to try this new experimental drug regimen.” Dr. Harding said and then when he went to list the side effects. I winced.

Nausea. Vomiting. Headaches. Chills.

I nodded, “The chances?”

He offered me a tired smile, “About a forty-percent rate at prolonging the inevitable.”

I nodded.

That was the one thing that I appreciated about him. He was straightforward and didn’t sugarcoat anything.

“And if it doesn’t work?” I asked.

He locked his dark brown eyes with mine and nodded, “You won’t make it without a kidney. I’m surprised you haven’t been hospitalized yet.”

I took in his words.

The finality of them.

It’s been a long time since I prayed.

But I did while sitting in that cushioned grey sofa in Dr. Harding’s office.

I had just placed my hand on the door handle to walk out of his office when he called out, “Lila?”

I turned my head to look at him, “I get it. I do. Being strong and independent. But you need to tell someone. Anyone. Okay?”

I didn’t respond.

***

I had just walked out of the doctor’s office.

It took everything I had in me to make it to my car.

The moment I locked the doors, I lowered my head until my forehead met my steering wheel, and I tried.

I tried to beat the tears back.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t been successful.

***

It was time.

Time to start distancing myself fromthem.

This was going to hurt.

‘The only time a man can be brave is when he is afraid.’

– George R.R. Martin.

Chapter 16

Bronson

I checked the time.