Chapter4; TheWeight Of A Father
1367 Words
“It looks like cancer. A rare type of bone cancer.”
Everen stood frozen. His daughter had cancer. His little girl, the one who used to laugh at everything, the one who had looked at him like he was a hero when he left for his first deployment... she was sick.
Nerissa was crying. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs, her hands pressed against her face. The doctor was still speaking, her voice gentle and clinical, explaining the next steps, the tests they needed to run, the treatment options.
Everen heard none of it. All he could hear was the echo of Niva's voice.
I want Leontis.
“You should sit down, Mr. Mercer,” the doctor said. “You look like you're about to collapse.”
Everen shook his head. “What are her chances?”
The doctor hesitated. “It's still early. We caught it relatively quickly. With the right treatment, her prognosis is good. But we need to act fast.”
“How fast?”
“The sooner we start, the better. There's a facility in Switzerland that specializes in this type of cancer. They have experimental treatments that have shown promising results. But it's expensive. Very expensive.”
“Like how much?”
The doctor looked at him, her eyes full of sympathy. “Approximately three point two million dollars. And that's just for the initial treatment.”
Three-point-two million.
Everen had that money. Fourteen million in a trust fund. Eight hundred thousands of dollars in annual hazard pay. He had everything he needed to save his daughter.
But he couldn't access it. Not without exposing his identity or without putting his family in danger.
He was trapped.
“We'll do everything we can to help,” the doctor was saying. “The hospital will work with you on payment plans. But I wanted you to have all the information.”
Everen nodded. He didn't know what else to do.
Later that night, Everen sat in the waiting room, staring at the floor.
Nerissa was with Niva and Leontis had shown up a few hours ago, sweeping in like a hero, taking charge, making decisions and positioning himself as the man who would save the day.
Everen had watched it all from the doorway.
He should have been the one in there. But Niva didn't want him. Because Leontis had been telling her stuff and poisoning her mind.
The door opened and Nerissa walked out. Her face was pale, her eyes were red and swollen.
“How is she?” Everen asked, standing up as fast as he could.
Nerissa stared at him. “She's scared and she's in pain. She doesn't understand what's happening.” She paused. “And she's asking for Leontis.”
Everen felt the words cut deep. “Nerissa—”
“I don't know why you're here," she said, her voice hollow.
But before she could say another word, Leontis appeared. “Everything okay out here? Niva is asking for you, Nerissa. She's worried.”
Nerissa looked at him, then at Everen.
“I'll be right there,” she said quietly. She turned and walked back into Niva's room.
Leontis stepped in front of Everen. “Don't make this harder than it already is.”
“Get out of my way.”
“Or what? Going to hit me?” Leontis smiled. “That would look great. The deadbeat dad beating up the man who actually stepped up. Trying to look big.”
Everen's hands clenched. But he didn't swing. Because Leontis was right. If he hit him, he would be the bad guy.
He only gritted his teeth and stormed away.
The next day, Leontis made his move.
They were gathered in the hospital room. Niva was asleep, her small face pale against the white pillow. The machines beeped softly, monitoring her vitals.
Everen stood by the window, watching the rain streak down the glass. He had been there all night, refusing to leave, even though Niva didn't want him there. Even though every time she woke up, she asked for Leontis.
Nerissa sat in a chair beside the bed, her hand resting on Niva's. She looked exhausted. She looked like she hadn't slept in days.
Leontis stood at the foot of the bed, his posture confident. His suit was perfectly pressed. His smile was perfectly warm. He looked like a man who had everything under control.
“I've been thinking about Niva's treatment,” Leontis said, breaking the silence. “The facility in Switzerland and the cost.”
Everen tensed as if he knew what was coming.
“I've decided to pay for it,” Leontis continued smoothly. “All of it. The full three point two million. Plus any additional costs.”
Nerissa looked up, her eyes wide. “Leontis, you can't—”
“I can,” he said, and his voice was gentle and soft. “I have the money. It's from a family inheritance. I've been saving it for something important, and I can't think of anything more important than Niva's life.”
Nerissa's eyes filled with tears. “I don't know what to say.”
“Say yes,” Leontis said. “Say you'll let me do this for her. For both of you.”
Everen's jaw tightened. He had the money. He had more than enough money. But he couldn't use it. He didn't have the strength to explain where it came from. He couldn't—
“There's no need,” he said quietly.
Everyone turned to look at him.
“I'll pay for it,” Everen said. “I have the money.”
Leontis's expression flickered with something…surprise? Irritation?...before smoothing into false concern. "Everen, I know you want to help. But this is a lot of money. More than someone in your position could possibly—”
“I have the money,” Everen repeated, and his voice was hard as steel this time. “I've been saving for Niva's future since she was born. I have enough. More than enough.”
The room fell silent.
Nerissa stared at him, her brow furrowed. "Then where is it? Where did you get that kind of money?"
Everen opened his mouth to answer. But the words wouldn't come.
“I can't tell you that.”
“You can't tell me?” She laughed, a hollow, broken sound. “You show up after eight years, you promise to pay for treatment, and you can't even tell me where the money comes from?”
“It's complicated—”
“It's always complicated with you!" Her voice cracked. "You're impossible. You've been gone for years, and you still can't give me a straight answer!”
Leontis stepped forward, his face full of false concern. “Nerissa, maybe we should give him some space. This must be overwhelming for him. Coming back after all this time, finding out his daughter is sick…”
“I don't need space,” Everen said, his voice flat. “I need my daughter to get treatment. And I have the money to pay for it.”
"Then prove it," Nerissa said. “Bring out the money and pay!”
Everen felt the walls closing in. He could feel the trap snapping shut around him.
“I can't do that right now,” he said quietly. “But I can get the money. I can transfer it to the hospital account. Just give me a few days—”
“A few days?” Nerissa laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Niva doesn't have a few days. She needs treatment now. Do you even care about your daughter? You're standing here, making promises you can't keep, just like you always do.”
“Nerissa—”
“No.” She held up her hand. “I've heard enough. Leontis, if you're serious about paying for the treatment—”
“I am,” Leontis said smoothly. “I'll make the transfer immediately. Whatever Niva needs, she'll have.”
Nerissa nodded slowly. Then she looked at Everen, and her eyes were cold.
“You should go,” she said. “I think you've done enough.”
- Writer
