―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
