CEO's Tears Over Pregnancy Test Discovery

Nina's brows furrowed deeper. Pharaoh's behavior today was just too strange.

She thought back to when she and Nash had planned a trip and wanted to leave Gemma with Pharaoh for a few days, but he had declined, saying he was busy.

At the time, she hadn't thought much of it. After all, grandparents had their own lives. But now, coupled with today's odd call, she couldn't help but worry. Keeping her suspicions to herself, she replied, "Gemma's asleep now, so maybe we'll come by this weekend when Orion's out of school. We can all visit together." "Alright, just come whenever you're free," Pharaoh replied, setting down the phone with a heavy sigh.

Just then, the door to his hospital room opened, and his attending physician walked in. "I'm here to set up your IV. Have you given any more thought to what we discussed?" Pharaoh shook his head.

Logically, he knew he should undergo treatment. Life expectancy for patients with late-stage liver cancer is around six months to a year, but with aggressive treatment, it could be extended.

Yet, chemotherapy would bring a host of other issues including hair loss, exhaustion, and an appearance that would reveal his struggle. He didn't want Nina to see him like that.

"I'd still encourage you to consider treatment," the doctor urged. "Even if a cure isn't possible at this stage, you could extend your life by several years with the right approach. I can tell you want to live, so why not try?"

If Pharaoh lacked the means to pay

for treatment the doctor could understand his hesitation. But money wasn't an issue. There were funds in his account that would cover all his expenses. The doctor could see Pharaoh's will to live, so

hewondered why Pharaoh was still

hesitating.

"I don't want my daughter to see me in such a pitiful state," Pharaoh admitted, clearly reluctant to delve further into the subject. "Doctor, I know you're looking out for me, but I still need more time to think this over."

When he was first diagnosed, he

refused to believe it, undergoing test

after test in hopes of a different outcome? During that time, he could barely manage to care for himself, so he hadn't wanted Nina or the kids to come around. But as time passed, he had slowly come to terms with it.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death were the natural course of life, something no one could escape. Neither power nor wealth could alter that reality.

Rather than waste his remaining

time brooding over it, he wanted to make the most of it. He couldn't be there as the kids grew up, but he could spend as much time with them now as possible, so they would always have fond memories of him.

Seeing Pharaoh's resolve, the doctor dropped the subject. He set up the IV and left the room quietly.

.....

Back at Nina's home, she had made up her mind. If Pharaoh didn't want to share, she would investigate on her own.

"Mom, tomorrow the school is holding an emergency drill, and we get to go home afterward. Can you come pick me up?" Orion had knocked on the door and, standing on tiptoe, opened it just enough to poke his head through.

Nina turned, scooping him up. "Of course I can. Since I have the afternoon free, how about we take your sister and go see Grandpa at the hospital? Would you like that?"

"Yes!" Orion nodded enthusiastically. Since Pharaoh had moved to Birkham with them, he had showered both kids with love and care. Orion, despite his young age, could easily sense his grandpa's warmth and kindness.