In My Life

Chapter 11:

This couldn't be real, she thought, desperately wishing she would wake up from this nightmare. Just as her life started to look brighter, the devastating news had arrived to bring her down. It was as if the universe had taken away all sense of hope, leaving her to find a way to make sense of the terrible turn of events.

Olivia found it hard to believe she was in this situation, quietly seated beside her father's hospital bed. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound breaking the silence, a constant reminder of the reality of the gravity of this moment. This was a reality she hadn't prepared for, one she never wished to confront.

Ed looked battered and worn, his arms marked with bruises and a white bandage wrapped around his head. His face bore several injuries, and he lay there, unresponsive, with IVs inserted into his arms. Olivia sat beside him, gazing at his face, longing for him to wake up so they could talk. Reflecting on the past few months, she realized he hadn't been himself. He was often either staying home or traveling out of town, lacking the energy he once had. His irritability had also grown, making him difficult to be around, and now, seeing him like this, everything seemed to fall in place.

John walked into the room, carrying a paper cup filled with water. He handed it to Olivia and gently kissed the top of her head. "How are ya holding up?" he asked softly, his concern evident.

She took a small sip of the water, her grip tightening around the cup as the doctor's words replayed in her mind since they arrived.

'Looking at his records, it appears he began thyroid cancer treatment about three months ago, but he stopped attending his sessions about a month back. I'm sorry to say that the cancer has spread significantly, and it would take a miracle for him to make it through tomorrow.'

"He was aware of this for more than three months and didn't even think to tell me?!" She tightened her hold on the cup, her eyes fixed on the water. "And then he just quit going? Just like that, he gave up?"

John scooted his chair closer to hers, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Liv. I don't know what to say, but I'm sure he intended to tell ya," he said, pausing to see if she would meet his gaze. Her eyes were distant, lost in thought. "I think he just believed he would get better on his own, ya know?"

"But still, it's not..." Her words were cut off by the sudden movement of Ed's fingers. Immediately, she reached out and grabbed his hand, "Dad, wake up, please. It's me."

Ed's eyes slowly fluttered open, struggling to focus on the figure before him. His body felt drained, lacking the energy he wished he had. After a few more blinks, the blurry shape sharpened into the familiar face of his daughter. He managed a faint smile, "There's my Livvy."

She wrapped her arms around him, doing her best to hold back her tears. "Dad, I'm so happy you're finally awake," she whispered.

Ed sighed as she pulled from their embrace. "I'm so happy to see you, dear," he whispered as he noticed the worried expressions on both Olivia and John's faces. "I suppose you know. I should have told you."

"But why didn't you? You waited until you were physically ill?" she pressed, her urgency driven by the fear that time might be running out. She needed answers to the questions that weighed heavily on her mind.

Ed exhaled deeply, "I was trying to protect you, Olivia. I was hoping I would get better, but when things started to decline, I realized I had more important things to focus on."

Olivia clung to his every word, "What could be more important than your health?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"You," he replied, drawing a deep breath as breathing became more challenging. "I found you an agent," he continued, pausing to gather his strength. "He's an old mate of mine and also the best agent in London. He'll help you with your modeling career, and he sees what I've always seen in ya," he said, grasping Olivia's hand firmly. "I've done my part, now it's your turn, sweetheart."