Without Words

18- Truth and Revelations

A/N:  Italicized portions are flashbacks.

"Headache gone?" Elle asked her dad as she checked the treatment card she had made for him.

"No more, baby girl."

"I'm not a baby anymore." Elle rolled her eyes playfully then sat beside him on his bed. "How did the MRI go?"

Dad raised his brow at the question, Elle smiled sheepishly. "I might have researched in the library. I already appointed myself as your own personal nurse. I have to be prepared."

He sighed wearily then opened his arms on the side, Elle happily scooted closer. "You don't need to do this, baby girl."

"Dad, I'm twelve. Stop calling me a baby." She complained. "And stop it. I have to do this. If I didn't come home early that day, I wouldn't have heard you and mom talk about this. And if I didn't, then who would have come with you in your hospital visits? Mom's obviously too busy for it."

His eyes turned sad and disappointment passed his features. "Your mom is busy with work, Elle. Don't take it against her."

.........................

A week ago, Elle had to leave the Fortress since she forgot the chocolate cupcakes she was saving at the fridge. When she was at the door, she heard her parents shouting. They were talking about expenses. That confused her, dad's parents were rich. At least, that's what she was told.

"We can't keep asking money from them." Emma shouted angrily, her shrill voice bounced on the walls. "We already have a family Charles and we can't even take two steps away before we beg them for help once again."

"We have no choice, Em." Charles replied gently, constantly playing the calm person in their conversations. "My job alone can't pay for the MRI, biopsy, meds, surgery, chemo and radiation. You know this."

"They look at me as if I'm a gold digger, that I only married you for money." She stood up and paced the living room, frustration dripping in her voice. "Do you know how that little that makes me?"

"You're only starting your residency. They understand that."

"No, they don't. From the beginning, they never liked me anyway." Emma snapped. "All they think about is their precious Forbes reputation and money."

"They may be difficult but they're my parents and they're willing to help us."

"We can ask money from the Monroe's. Take a loan from them." Emma suggested. Surely, they have enough.

"I don't want news of this getting out yet. Besides, my parents are already offering, why would we refuse this?"

"Because I don't want to." Emma stomped her foot stubbornly. "It would be ammunition they could use against me."

"I am the one in need of money, Em. I don't see how this could badly affect you." Charles reasoned out, trying to placate his wife. "I am their son. I am the one who has a tumor. The money would be for me."

Elle dropped her bag as she stared, jaw dropped, at both her parents. Emma gasped in shock and Charles just stiffened from his sit. Her daddy is sick.

It turns out it was three months ago when they found the tumor. They tried to control it with medications and radiation therapy for the first months but eventually, the symptoms were too much. The tumor had to be surgically removed. Elle didn't even notice, she just thought her daddy was busy with work and needed more rest. No one else, except his parents, knew of the cancer, afraid that the news would resonate on their children badly. They were still too young to consider losing a father.