authorrebeccaclark
Freshly graduated from law school at twenty-four, Jaleyn Lammingham has his whole life ahead of him, yet he returns home with a devastating secret. Diagnosed with an aggressive cancer just as he was supposed to start his career, Jaleyn refuses treatment, viewing his illness not as a tragedy, but as a long-awaited punishment for a traumatic, accidental loss in his past-an event that fractured his family's spirit years ago. He returns to his suburban hometown to visit his unsuspecting parents, who are navigating their mid-forties, and his innocent, bright-eyed fifteen-year-old brother, Evan.
To them, Jaleyn is the successful, ambitious, prodigal son returning for a visit. Internally, Jaleyn is enduring a silent, painful countdown, attempting to make peace with his family while meticulously hiding his physical decline and emotional despair. As he spends time with his family, the guilt that has haunted him intensifies. He watches his little brother Evan looking up to him, and sees his parents attempting to move forward, forcing him to grapple with whether to reveal the truth and destroy their happiness, or to carry the burden of his "punishment" to the grave alone.
If anyone who sees this story being plagiarized by someone else, please send me a quick message as soon as possible. I do not tolerate plagiarism at all, and I will sue whoever is responsible of stealing my work.
©️2026 Rebecca Clark. All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior permission of the author, except for the brief description of the book in a book review.