―Oh Jesus, Lily!‖ He could physically feel the blood drain from his face.
―I‘m running some blood tests, but she says it‘s been there for about two months.‖ The Doctor continued.
―I didn‘t know—I‘ve been away—―he said brokenly. She was the only family he had and he felt completely negligent over 119
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not seeing the signs sooner. He‘d also been away a lot in the last year, and Max had always made sure she was looked after, but now he felt guilty over it. It never bothered him before, because Max was right, she was mature for her age and cold look after herself. Now everything had changed and his sister was going to need him.
Doctor Chang saw his guilt, and it was common among family to feel responsible, but unless you were a doctor, the signs weren‘t easy to see. ―The last thing you need to do is blame yourself Mr. Shayne. She‘s young and breast cancer is not common in her age group. The lump is barely detectable, but it‘s significant enough to raise a flag. I won‘t lie to you. If you combine that with her symptoms, I‘m afraid there‘s a high percentage that it‘s malignant, but we need to do a biopsy if the blood tests are conclusive to see how aggressive it is.‖
―does she know?‖
―No, I needed to speak to you first.‖
‗Don‘t tell her yet.‖ He said pulling his mobile out of his pocket, ―I need to call her fiancé. He‘s going to want to be here when we break the news to her. She‘s not going to take this well.‖
Max was in the middle of dictation when the phone rang.
―Hold that Nance, I need to get this, it‘s Luke.‖ He said looking at the caller id. Luke said he‘d call when he got some information of Lily.
―Certainly Mr. King.‖ She said patiently noticing that he glanced at his watch again. He‘d been doing that constantly since he called her into the office as if anticipating this call. Then there was the slight urgency in his tone when he spoke to her.
―Luke? How‘s Lily?‖ He said before his friend could even get a word out.
―Max, do you have a pen?‖
―I do.‖ He said hearing the tone of his voice. He sounded 120
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire oddly subdued, ―What‘s wrong?‖
―I‘m going to give you the address of the clinic that we‘re at. I need you here. I think Lily is seriously ill.‖ He said giving him the address unable to stop his voice from cracking.
Max scribbled it on a piece of paper while doing his best to squash the dread that washed through him. Luke sounded worried, and it took a lot to worry his number one man.
However, Lily being sick would do it for both of them. ―I‘ll be there in twenty minutes.‖ He hung up, ―Nancy cancel my appointments for this afternoon and get Oscar to bring the car around.‖
She stood up, ―Is everything okay? Is Lily all right?‖
Nancy remembered how upset she was when she left there the last day, followed by Max‘s bellowing voice as he fired one of the office girls publically which was completely unlike him.
Whatever went on between the two women had been witnessed by Max and had obviously hurt Lily deeply. Shortly after Brittney, red faced and weeping, packed up her desk but Nancy didn‘t feel sorry for her at all. She knew the young woman had been drooling after Max and obviously had gone too far in belittling Lily.
Apparently as she found out from the other office girls that this had been going on for some time under Nancy‘s nose and she didn‘t see it. She would have fired Brittney herself if she‘d known. She knew how much Max coveted Lily and rightly so. The girl was a complete doll. Nancy couldn‘t help feeling protective of her also. Then when rumour reached them about her and Max‘s engagement she wanted to jump for joy. She was perfect for him. At least that‘s what Nancy thought. She had time to ask Luke about it the next day when he was waiting patiently for Max to finish a meeting.
Luke sat on the corner of Nancy‘s desk with one foot on the floor while flipping through a magazine.
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―So, when‘s the date?‖
Luke glanced down at Nancy who had her spectacles shoved to the end of her nose and was eyeing him intently over them. ―Date?‖
She pursed her lips impatiently, ―The wedding Luke, don‘t play dumb. Everyone here has seen the rock on Lily‘s finger, and Max is floating on air.‖
He laughed, leaned over and kissed her on the cheek like he would his own mother, ―Nothing gets by you does it?‖
She acted indifferent to his bold affection for her, and if he didn‘t know her any better he would have thought so except for the warmth that filled her eyes, ―It wasn‘t exactly subtle.‖ She nodded toward the office doors, ―When she wasn‘t looking, he never took his eyes off of her, ever.‖ Smiling she continued, ―it was like being at the zoo and watching a caged lion pace back and forth inside his cell while eyeing up some tasty morsel out of his reach.‖
Luke grinned, ―Nice analogy.‖
She shrugged, ―Who can blame him, your sister is gorgeous. She practically knocked the socks off of every male who caught sight of her. That‘s why he kept her so close for the past few weeks, not to give any one of them the chance of asking her out.‖ She sighed, ―It‘s such a relief really because he‘d been giving her all of my errands, now I‘ll get my job back.‖
Luke stared at the older woman with admiration, ―You are a rare gem Nancy.‖
Finally smiling, she nodded in agreement, ―Don‘t I know it. However, one of my boys is getting married, that only leaves you.‖
―Whoa.‖ Luke practically jumped off her desk, ―Not interested. Not for awhile at least. I like women too much.‖
―Uh-huh, that will last until the one show up that‘ll spin your world around. Beware Luke, not everyone is immune.‖
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―Thanks for spoiling my day mom.‖ He added in an endearment and tossed the magazine on her desk.
She actually laughed, ―Anytime.‖ Watching him turn and head back to Max‘s office.
At that time Nancy thought it was a time for celebration, but when the couple returned from Greece something had changed, and Nancy didn‘t ask. Although Max still looked at Lily like she was still the last woman on earth, Lily looked sad.
Something had happened between them to call off the engagement.
Now Max looked genuinely worried as he gathered his things to leave the office. In turn it made her concerned because his expression never faltered—ever, so this had to be serious.
Max didn‘t seem to hear her question a moment ago. ―Mr.
King?‖
He stopped and looked at her trying to recall what she said. Then he spoke obviously distracted, ―I don‘t know yet. Just call me when Oscar is here.‖ He said picking up his briefcase and tossing things in it absently.
Nancy quickly left the office and did as he asked.
The ride to the clinic must‘ve been the longest in his life.
His angst built the closer he came. If Luke called him, it had to be serious. He didn‘t wait for Oscar to open the door of the car for him as he practically bolted out of it and headed through the front doors of the clinic with a long determined stride.
Max was led into an examination room by a nurse and saw Luke sitting in a chair next to the bed. Lily was sitting on the side of it with a hospital gown on and her legs bare from the knee down. She looked so vulnerable to him it was all he could do not to gather her into his arms and ask for her forgiveness for the past month. It was hard enough for him to keep the pained expression off his face.
Lily was stunned at the sight of Max walking in the room.
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What was he doing here? She darted her eyes back and forth between the two as he Max strode in. That caused more anxiety to creep in knowing that it was Luke‘s doing, so something more was going on than she realized.
―Max—Luke did you call h
im?‖ she accused her brother while gesturing her hand toward the Max, who couldn‘t look more devastating in a dove grey suit striped tie and white shirt.
It seemed like she hadn‘t seen him forever even though it was just last week, but the memory was not pleasant. She wanted to weep at the sight of him and apologize for yelling at him then, but somehow she couldn‘t find the words. She missed him terribly and seeing him made a flood of emotions resurface. She clenched her jaw and pressed her lips together to prevent them from reaching her expression.
―I did.‖ Luke admitted.
―What for, it‘s just the flu!‖ She argued, ―You two are so overprotective!‖ Her eyes searched her brother‘s expression looking for any indication that Max told him what had happened between them in Greece, but he didn‘t give anything away even if he knew. At times his demeanour could rival Max‘s on how he presented himself. Hopefully Max kept his promise. The only reason she thinks he did, is Luke wouldn‘t be able to hide his animosity towards Max knowing how protective he was of her, but there was nothing and Luke looked at him as he always did with the affection of a friend.
―Yes we are Lily, because you are very special to us. Now, I asked the Doctor that I‘m to be the one to tell you what she suspects it is. I wanted Max here because he‘s part of your life.‖
Luke explained calmly.
She still couldn‘t bring herself to look at the other man,
―not anymore.‖
―Stop it Lily.‖ Said Max finally, ―I am as much as you don‘t want me in it right now. As soon as you‘re done being 124
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire angry with me, you‘ll understand that.‖
―I‘ll never stop being angry at you.‖ She answered knowing it was a lie. She wasn‘t angry she was hurt, heartbroken and devastated.
―Lily,‖ Luke said finally, ―I need you to listen to what the doctor told me—―
Her mouth fell open, ―It‘s the flu.‖ She said more quietly now unconvinced. Finding her courage, her eyes guided to Max.
There was concern in his expression and it was genuine, ―Isn‘t it?‖
Luke stood up next to Max, ―Actually honey, it may be worse than that. The doctor thinks you may have breast cancer.‖
He watched her lip tremble after a brief pause for his words to sink in.
―Breast—― She choked unable to finish.
Luke went to reach for her but before he could, and contrary to her testimony only moments ago, she went to Max‘s outstretched arms who embraced her tightly without hesitation lowering his head on top of hers while speaking softly to her. It was then that Luke realized that he handled this whole thing with Lily and Max wrong. Had he allowed Max to marry her when he wanted, she wouldn‘t have gone through the stress of heartbreak besides the shock of what he‘d just told her. Her actions were completely opposite of what she‘d just voiced. In the end she needed Max to comfort her not her own brother.
As his eyes guided over the couple it was definitely more than just a reassuring hug. It was intimate and Luke almost felt as if he was intruding on the two. They loved each other. It was as obvious as a slap in the face. Why hadn‘t he seen it before?
Was he that overprotective of his baby sister to realize that she was old enough to make mature decisions and that she was old enough to genuinely love someone? He already knew the answer to that.
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He was.
Max held onto her like she would disappear any moment and spoke to her endearingly, ―Look baby, don‘t panic yet until we get the results, then we‘ll go from there—― She released a muffled sob, ―—I‘ll hire the best oncologists the country has,‖ he continued soothing her in a soft deep voice while inside he felt like weeping himself. He could feel her fingers scrunch the cloth of his shirt as she wept clinging to him. Max kissed the top of her head before he lifted his eyes to Luke, ―Go and find her doctor and see if the results are back yet. Then get Nancy on the phone and tell her to find out who the best Oncologist is in Chicago. I want appointments yesterday. Then we‘ll go from there.‖
―I‘ll get right on it.‖ He said walking out of the room as he pulled out his phone. It should have been him comforting Lily, but she wanted Max and for some reason that was okay with him.
Also, Max was able to take charge when he could hardly think right and although he hated to admit to feeling helpless, he was thankful for him. He nearly fell to pieces after seeing the look on Lily‘s face when he broke the news to her. What good was he to his sister in that condition?
Back in the room Lily was completely inconsolable. She had soaked the front of his shirt and showed no sign of letting up.
He didn‘t blame her, the news was devastating.
―Honey, look at me.‖ Max finally said placing his hands on either side of her head and tilting her red tearstained face up to his, ―I won‘t let anything happen to you. I swear to God we‘ll beat this.‖
―We?‖ she managed to choke out.
―We.‖ He brushed his mouth across her forehead. ―You don‘t think I‘ll let my girl go through this alone do you?‖
She hiccupped, ―no.‖ she said uncertainly. He gave her an adoring smile at her tone that literally pulled at her heart.
―First don‘t get so upset until we hear the results. Then 126
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire we‘ll panic.‖ He smiled. ―Okay?‖
―Okay.‖ She said weakly.
―Hey, I won‘t abandon you and neither will Luke. You have family that love you button.‖ She nodded and he pulled her into his arms again just as Luke came back in and mouthed the words ‗how is she?‘, Max just shook his head and mouthed back
‗not good‘.
―Lily the doctor is coming back in to speak to all of us.‖
Just then his phone rang, and he pulled it out, ―It‘s Nance.‖ And he turned away just as Doctor Chang entered.
She looked at Luke who was on the phone then held out her hand and introduced herself.
Max took her hand but kept his other wrapped tightly around Lily, ―I‘m Max King, Lily‘s fiancé.‖
That brought Lily‘s head up abruptly and she looked back and forth at Luke and Max, neither one of them looked at her.
―What did Nancy say?‖ Max asked Luke.
―Doctor Jenson.‖ He answered.
Doctor Chang looked back and forth at the both of them recognizing the name, ―Wow, you two move quickly.‖
‗I‘d like a referral to him.‖ Max said.
―I was actually going to suggest it Mr. King.‖ She said opening the folder she had and pulled out the lab results. ―I had them double checked as Mr. Shayne asked, but they‘re not good.
I‘ll phone Doctor Jenson and set up surgery for a biopsy.‖
―No—―
―Max?‖ Luke started but he held up his hand.
―No biopsy. Take the lump. I‘m not wasting time finding out if it‘s benign or malignant. Take the whole damn thing, she‘s not going through two surgeries. Is that clear? You tell Jenson that if he gets rid of it, I‘ll fund his next research project and the amount of money he receives is based on her prognosis.‖
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Her eyes widened, that was a dream for any researcher.
She had meant to protest his request, but no smart physician would turn down such an offer, ―Mr. king this may be nothing—―
―I‘ll go somewhere else that complies with my wishes Doctor Chang. I‘m serious. When you contact Doctor Jenson, set up an appointment as soon as possible, and I‘ll discuss this with him. I know what it‘s like waiting around for surgery or between surgeries for results. If it‘s benign then it may be a pointless surgery but Lily won‘t have anything to worry about.‖
―All right Mr. King, I‘ll speak to Doctor Jenson.‖ She resigned knowing that it was better not to argue with him. She‘d dealt with plenty of determined families like this, but Max King had money and a reputati
on and she really didn‘t want to cross it. She recognized his name immediately when he introduced himself and from the way he was holding her young patient, she knew that he meant every word he said.
―come on Honey,‖ he said reaching for her clothing, ―You need to get dressed, you‘re going home.‖ He glanced up at the Doctor, ―I expect a call by this evening on those appointments Doctor Chang.‖
―I‘ll do my best.‖ She said as Max pulled the curtain to give Lily some privacy.
After the Doctor left Luke pulled Max aside, ―Thanks.‖
Max nodded, ―I should be thanking you for that phone call. I may look in control, but I‘m a fucking mess on the inside.‖
He whispered casting a glance over his shoulder at the curtain.
―My mother—―
―yes, I remember Max. Breast cancer. Look, I‘ll take her home, make her something to eat—―
―I‘m coming.‖ He interrupted, ―Luke, you know I love her more than my own life. I can‘t leave her even for a minute. I‘ll clear my schedule for the next few weeks.‖
Luke saw the anguish in his friend‘s face, and finally 128
The Billionaire‘s Secret Desire nodded, ―Okay. I‘m not going to be greedy and demand that she spend every second with me, but we‘re not going to smother her either even though we‘re both dying to do it. So we‘ll take turns.
That way there‘s always someone with her, and someone taking care of business.‖
―I may not be able to hear what you two are saying, but I know it‘s about me, so stop it.‖ Came a voice from behind the curtain.
Max grinned. That sounded more like Lily. It even brought and expression of relief to Luke‘s face. ―Sure honey,‖
Luke said.
Once at home Luke sent Lily to her room to get ready for bed while he went to the kitchen to make her some decaffeinated tea and a snack. Max followed him.
―You‘ll have to manage in my absence,‖ he told Luke.
―I‘m going to be spending a lot of time here.‖
―No problem.‖ He said without turning around as he filled the kettle, ―We can balance things out together.‖
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