The Heiress (Book 2 of the Forbidden Series)

Alexander Sinton stood outside his mother’s hospital room. His arms crossed protectively over his chest as he looked in at his frail mother sleeping. “I’m afraid Mr. Sinton its cancer.” Alexander took a deep breath, he had feared the worse, and he had been right. “What can we do?” He asked softly hoping to control the despair in his voice. “Will surgery fix it?” “I’m afraid not.” The doctor said shaking his head. “It has gone beyond that point, perhaps if we had caught it sooner. We can treat it with chemotherapy, radiation, and an array of painkillers. It will be painful, and she will feel ill most of the time. She won’t be able to work, and I’m afraid it will only prolong her life not save it. She is terminal.” Alexander pressed the back of his hand to his mouth trying to fend off the tears. “How long does she have?” He managed to ask without falling apart. “It is hard to tell it could be weeks or months. With treatment maybe, a year or so. I’m sorry.” The doctor placed his hand sympathetically on Alexander’s back and walked away. Alexander stood in the hallway for a long time watching his mother sleep through the doorway. It had just been the two of them for so long. He had no other family. After she passed, he would be alone in this world. A woman approached Alexander breaking his melancholy trance. “Are you Mr. Sinton?” She asked. “Yes.” He answered. She held out a clipboard to him. “The doctor says she can go home when she wakes up there is nothing more we can do for her. Sign here.” She asked handing him a pen. “You are just going to send her home?” He asked. “You can call the number on this sheet to schedule treatment options.” She said taking the clipboard back and handing him a pamphlet and an envelope. “What is this?” He asked opening the envelope as she walked away from him. “It’s your bill.” She said and disappeared around the corner. Alexander removed the paper and opened it up. His heart almost stopped when he saw the total. He looked up to call after the woman, but she was gone. He couldn’t afford this. Alexander looked at his mother lying in that hospital bed. Without treatment, she would die quickly and painfully. With treatment, they would lose everything and still not be able to afford what she needed. He heard his mother cough and choke as she rolled onto her side. Alexander crumpled the bill in his hand; he would get the money. Whatever it took, he would get it.