We Want Mommy Not You Daddy (Cedar) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Walking through the bright corridors of the company, my leather

shoes made crisp sounds against the marble floor. Employees smiled

and nodded respectfully as I passed.

As I rounded the corner toward Dad’s office, I noticed several people

in white lab coats entering his office before the door closed firmly

behind them. This was unusual–Dad regularly had doctors visit to

“maintain his health,” but today’s physicians appeared older and more

distinguished, like senior specialists with grave expressions.

Curiosity drove me to slip quietly into the adjacent break room. This

room shared a thin wall with Dad’s office, and if I listened carefully, I

could hear the conversation inside.

“Mr. Sterling, our tests indicate that your episode of hemoptysis last

Saturday was likely stress–related. There’s no sign of rapid disease

progression…” an unfamiliar voice said.

My heart tightened–Dad coughed up blood? When did this happen?

Why weren’t we told?

“Stress–related?” Dad’s voice sounded unnaturally calm. “How much

time do I have left, then?”

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Chapter 197

“Given the current management of your condition, as long as you

avoid triggers that could worsen it, based on your organ function

indicators, you should have about a year.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. A year? Dad only had a year to

live? How was this possible?

“I understand.” Dad’s voice showed no emotion, as if discussing an

ordinary business matter rather than his own life.

“Additionally, Mr. Sterling, while managing psychological stress through personal adjustment is ideal, medication can help alleviate

the symptoms…”

The doctor continued with other treatments and instructions, but I could barely process the words. It took several minutes before I began

to regain my focus.

“That will be all. You may go now.” Dad’s voice concluded the

meeting.

Feeling dizzy, I quickly backed away to avoid being discovered. I

heard the office door open and the doctors file out, their expressions

solemn.

Making sure no one noticed me, I hurried back to my small office and

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Chapter 197

stood before the floor–to–ceiling window, my mind in turmoil.

How could Dad only have one year left? Would he really not live past

thirty–two? No wonder he’d been pushing us so hard since his

birthday, making us learn so much… he was preparing us for when

he’d be gone, wanting us to be self–sufficient…

A tear escaped down my cheek before I could stop it. Despite always

acting mature and composed, I was still just a child. Facing the

possibility of losing my father, I felt a fear and pain I’d never known

before.

I wiped away the tear, forcing myself to calm down. As the eldest, I

had to maintain control and learn to handle situations. Especially

now, knowing this terrible secret, I couldn’t fall apart.

For the next few hours, I couldn’t concentrate on work. My mind kept

replaying the doctor’s words and Dad’s strange behavior these past

weeks. Everything made sense now–his strictness, anxiety, and

impatience all stemmed from knowing his time was limited.

But what should I do? I was trapped in a profound dilemma. Should I

tell Oliver and Aria? What about Mommy, whom we’d only recently

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