Chapter 2

2

She could ignore her father, but I couldn't. Shortly after she left, I drove to the hospital.

In the past, my in-laws always welcomed me with smiles. Today, their faces were grim.

Arthur frowned. "Zane, I know my daughter isn't perfect, but you shouldn't make up lies like that. Do you know how much that hurts me?"

Martha, my mother-in-law, was also upset. "You're an adult. How could you be so reckless? I actually regret letting Cora marry you."

"Dad, Mom, I'm really not trying to…"

Seeing me persist, Arthur's hands began to shake with rage. "Look at me! My face is full of color. Do I look like I'm dying? Are you the Grim Reaper now? You're out of line!"

"Take it easy, sir. Your condition doesn't handle stress well," the doctor said as he walked in.

Arthur grabbed his arm. "Doc, tell him. Give me a full check-up. See if I'm going to drop dead today."

The doctor looked confused and smiled. "Sir, a stroke is just a blockage. Once it's cleared and you keep a positive mood, it's not fatal."

Martha pointed at the doctor and glared at me.

"The doctor says he's fine! Why are you still being so stubborn and saying such unlucky things?"

The doctor's words stunned me.

If I hadn't seen Arthur die of a sudden heart attack in my last life, I would have doubted myself too.

I looked at the doctor desperately. "I want him to have a more detailed heart scan."

The doctor narrowed his eyes. "Are you the doctor or am I?"

Martha barked at me.

"Zane, what is wrong with you?"

"I know you're upset about Harrison. But you can't come here and harass us. Just leave."

"I must have been blind. You're nothing but an ungrateful wolf," Arthur spat, his face turning bright red.

Since they wouldn't listen, I walked out of the room, feeling defeated.

But I couldn't give up on him. I ran to the Chief of Medicine's office.

Before I could speak, he criticized me sharply.

"Your father-in-law is stable. Stop making scenes. If every family acted like you, the hospital would be in chaos."

My phone rang. It was Cora. I answered quickly. "Cora, please, tell your parents to get a full check-up. There's still time!"

"Zane Reed, you're a piece of work!" she screamed.