King of My Heart

Chapter 18 - The Love Rivalry

*Claire Kinsley's POV*

Ever since that night, Liam's medical research project had garnered a massive amount of fundings from investors. Perhaps that also translates to a pressure of having to use the fundings effectively to come up with results within the shortest time possible, which was probably why Liam was so focused in his medical research that I hardly got a chance to even see him for the next few months.

Even though I think about him at times, I still hold myself back from disturbing him by keeping myself occupied with work.

"Hey Scott, thank you, you really didn't have too," I said to Scott as he handed the breakfast that he has prepared over to me.

He makes feel guilty each time he does this, waiting for me at my workplace early in the morning, even though I had already made it clear to him where my heart is with. He insisted that everything is not concluded, not until I am married.

"Are you okay? You don't look good?" I said to Scott after noticing the pale expression on his face. Then without warning, he stumbled and fell unconscious onto the ground and that freaked me out. Thankfully, we were at the hospital and so he was able to get the proper treatment in time.

If not for this faint, I wouldn't have known that he was diagnosed with early-stage liver cancer.

"Where am I...?" Scott groaned as he rubbed his forehead and struggled to sit up upon regaining consciousness.

"Here, let me help you," I helped him to sit up before I continued, "You're in the hospital because you fainted just now, don't you remember?"

"Oh shucks... I'm sorry to have caused you trouble," He hissed with an expression self-reprimand worn over his face.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked Scott.

"About?" Scott asked me back.

"That you have got liver cancer... I'm sorry..." I replied with teary eyes as my heart sunk with heaviness, because I felt sad that a nice man like him has to go through this, that life is unfair.

"You shouldn't have made me breakfast, you should have rested instead," My voice trembled.

He comforted me with a forceful smile cracked across his dry lips and his voice breaks hoarse when he turned to me and said, "I'll be alright, don't worry."

That was when I realised how those pair of dreamy eyes had become weary instead.

Why didn't I notice that he had been so worn out with health problem previously? I should have seen it coming, yet I didn't. He is so nice to me, always giving, but I was such a letdown, I have done nothing for him. The least I could do for him now is to be with him through this and make sure he is back to pink health to the best of my ability.

"Scott, I'm sure you will get well soon," I reassured him with much determination as I grabbed onto his hands.

He licked his dry lips and said, "I'm not going to survive this."

"Why would you say that? Your condition is still at the early stage, as long as you receive treatment, there's definitely hope!" I frowned in bafflement at what he said.

He sighed before revealing a helpless smile of defeat, "Actually when I knew I was diagnosed with liver cancer, I had sought for numerous specialist for my treatment, but none was confident that they could cure me. The tumour in my liver is grown at a tricky position that can be deadly for it to be removed. I could possibly die in the surgical theatre if the surgeon isn't skilled enough. There's only a 1% per cent chance for survival if I still go for it. If the specialist can't even save me, there's really nothing more I should expect either. Claire, I just wanted to use the remaining time in my life to follow whatever my heart wants to do and one of it is to continue to love you in my ways. So don't worry about me anymore, ok?"