“Surgery?” Phillips went still, a strange chill crawling across his scalp. He dropped his voice to barely a whisper. “But I thought the procedure was extremely dangerous?”

“You’re right…” The doctor’s tone grew heavy. “But things have taken a turn. If Mr. Scott experiences another collapse without intervention, I’m afraid…”

The doctor’s words faded away.

An uneasy silence followed, heavy and long.

Then came the devastating blow. “His life is in danger.”

Phillips stiffened, his eyes going wide. “That’s ridiculous!”

“Mr. Brown…” The doctor spoke again, his voice filled with hesitation. “We wish we were exaggerating. None of us expected things to spiral this fast.” Another breath, heavy with regret. “Please talk to Mr. Scott. He needs to decide soon. We’re ready whenever he is.”

And just like that, the line went dead.

Still gripping the phone, Phillips didn’t move. He couldn’t bring himself to look over at Eric.

“What happened?” Eric asked.

He appeared to be asleep—his eyes shut, his posture still—but appearances were deceiving. In truth, he was fully conscious.

Bits and pieces of Phillips’ hushed conversation had been more than enough for him to figure things out.

So, it was true. His condition had worsened.

“Mr. Scott…” Phillips turned toward him, words catching in his throat.

“Mm?” Eric’s eyes fluttered open, and a faint, mocking smile curved his lips. “That look on your face… So the verdict’s in? Surgery or death?”

Phillips said nothing. He simply nodded, brows knitted in silence.

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“Got it.” Eric’s voice didn’t waver. It was too quiet, too calm.

There really was no denying it anymore. Maybe this was the consequence he had been avoiding. Perhaps fate had finally decided it was time to collect its debt.

“Mr. Scott…” Watching Eric sit in silence, Phillips felt a heavy ache settle in his chest. “Let’s see the doctor as soon as we get back, alright? We’re out of time to keep stalling.”

“Sure,” Eric replied with a tone so light it bordered on indifference. “You take care of the details.”

No more words followed. He shut his eyes once more, shutting everything out. Still, Phillips could tell—Eric had likely lost all hope.

Between Hadley slipping away and his health falling apart… it was too much for one person to carry.

From his youth in the Scott household to years spent scraping by alone, and then later joining the Flynn family out of obligation rather than choice, Eric had always lived for others.

He never wanted to go back to the Scott family. But for Hadley and Joy, he did. And despite all that, he had ended up with nothing—completely and painfully alone.

It appeared as though misfortune intentionally targeted only Eric with suffering.

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