The Only Family I Ever Had Chapter 06

The Only Family I Ever Had Chapter 06

Sebastian opened the conversation with shaking hands.

The first message from Claire was a question about life expectancy.

Claire: [What is the expected survival time for advanced lung cancer with brain metastases?]

His breath caught.

He scrolled faster.

Every line of the conversation made his stomach turn.

Advanced lung cancer.

Brain metastases.

The records showed that Claire had been diagnosed only recently, after months of symptoms she

had tried to hide.

Since then, her condition had progressed frighteningly fast.

She really had been sick.

He had seen her coughing blood.

He had seen the bottles of medication she tried to hide.

And he had convinced himself it was another attempt to get his attention.

How terrified must she have been when she learned the cancer had already spread?

And all he had done was push her away.

Call her childish.

Tell her to stop causing trouble.

Guilt hit so hard he had to brace a hand on the desk.

Sebastian found Dr. Lee’s number and called immediately.

“Hello. Is Claire Bennett your patient? I need information about her condition.”

There was a pause.

“Claire Bennett? May I ask who’s calling?”

“I’m Sebastian Whitmore. I raised her after her parents died, and I’m listed as her emergency

contact.”

quickly provided the identifying information the office requested.

There was another pause while the doctor checked Claire’s file.

“Mr. Whitmore, Ms. Bennett has you listed as an authorized contact for medical information. I can discuss the details covered by that authorization.”

Sebastian closed his eyes briefly.

“Please.”

Dr. Lee’s voice became more measured.

“Ms. Bennett’s case is complicated. By the time she was diagnosed, the lung cancer was already advanced, and imaging showed metastatic lesions in the brain.”

Sebastian’s grip tightened around the phone.

“She received initial systemic treatment, including chemotherapy. There was some early response, but the disease progressed quickly and showed signs that the standard treatment was losing

effectiveness.”

His stomach dropped.

Dr. Lee continued.

“Testing also identified a genetic mutation that may respond to a newer targeted therapy. A leading

medical center in Switzerland is running a clinical program using that treatment approach, so we

referred her there.”

Sebastian wanted it to be a lie.

Some cruel story Claire had invented to make him stop pushing her away.

But the records on his screen left no room for denial.

“Doctor…”

His voice came out rough.

“How much time does she have?”

Dr. Lee exhaled quietly.

“Without an effective response to treatment, it’s difficult to give an exact timeline. But with

advanced lung cancer and symptomatic brain metastases, her condition is serious. We could be

talking about months rather than years.”

For a second, Sebastian forgot how to breathe.

The pressure in his chest became unbearable.

“The brain metastases are also concerning because they can cause headaches, memory loss,

confusion, changes in concentration, and other neurological symptoms. From her recent notes,

some of those symptoms are already becoming more pronounced.”

Memory loss.

So that was why she forgot things.

Why she seemed confused.

Why she sometimes looked like she didn’t know where she was.

Sebastian swallowed hard.

Dr. Lee continued.

“Her care in Switzerland is now being managed primarily by Dr. Williams and his team. They will

have the most current imaging and treatment plan.”

“Thank you.”

Sebastian ended the call.

He immediately searched for Dr. Williams and found the contact information in Claire’s cloud records.

Ryan arrived moments later.

“Book me the earliest flight to Zurich.”

Sebastian had barely made it downstairs when his father appeared.

Richard Whitmore was furious.

“Sebastian Whitmore, have you lost your mind?”

His cane struck the floor.

“You raised that girl. You’re her uncle. Now you’re humiliating this entire family by chasing after her while your own wedding guests are waiting.”

Sebastian’s jaw tightened.

“Claire is seriously ill. I’m going to Switzerland.”

“Take one step out that door and don’t bother calling me your father again.”

“She has no one else.”

Sebastian met his eyes.

“I have to go.”

Richard slapped him across the face.

Sebastian’s head snapped to the side.

A metallic taste filled his mouth.

He touched his lip, then looked back at his father.

“Finished?”

His voice was low.

“Good.”

He turned toward the door.

“I’m leaving.”

He went straight to the airport.

After an overnight flight, he landed in Zurich.

From there, he rushed to the medical center where Claire was staying.

At last, in the garden, he saw her sitting alone on a bench.