Chapter 110: CHAPTER 110

Ethan Hartley

I turn to my mother and my mother-in-law.

"I'm ready."

My mother-in-law opens a huge smile.

"Excellent."

And then hell begins.

The first suit is too white.

The second is too simple.

The third doesn't flatter.

The fourth "washes out" my skin.

The fifth… just no.

"It doesn't match," my mother says, without mercy.

"It's not good," my mother-in-law reinforces.

I change clothes so many times that I lose count. My body begins to beg for a truce, the fatigue weighing heavy on my shoulders. At a certain point, I sit on the couch, exhausted, while the two of them talk to the employee, gesturing, pointing, discussing details as if they were planning a life-or-death mission.

"I never thought trying on suits was so tiring," I comment to myself, running my hand over my face.

My mother-in-law appears suddenly, holding yet another one.

"Stand up, Ethan. Try this one."

I stand up slowly, feeling a genuine urge to cry.

Not out of sadness.

Out of pure exhaustion.

"If this one doesn't work out, I give up," I warn, walking into the fitting room.

I put on the suit carefully… and stop.

The fabric is white, but in an elegant and sophisticated shade. The vest adjusts to my body without squeezing, the dark buttons creating a perfect contrast. The cut is impeccable, structured in just the right measure. The light-colored tie, the pocket square—everything seems to speak to one another.

I take a deep breath.

It doesn't squeeze.

It doesn't bother me.

It doesn't feel heavy.

When I step out of the fitting room, the silence is immediate.

My mother's eyes widen.

My mother-in-law brings her hand to her chest.

"It's this one," they say almost at the same time.

The two of them begin to clap their hands, excited.

"It's this one!" my mother-in-law reinforces. "This is the wedding suit!"

I look once more into the mirror, smiling, finally feeling handsome inside that suit.

"Now all that's missing is the shoe to match everything," my mother-in-law announces, already turning toward the shelf.

She chooses a pair and kneels down in front of me, which makes my eyes widen.

"Mother-in-law, let me do it."

She snorts without even looking at me.

"Just because I'm sixty doesn't mean I turned into a senile old woman. I can kneel down without feeling any pain at all, dear."

I let out a laugh and slip on the shoe. She stands up and analyzes me from head to toe, attentive to every detail.

"Perfect." Then she looks at my mother. "Isn't it, Clara?"

My mother is already crying.

"M-My baby is getting married…" she says, bringing her hand to her chest. "My boy is finally getting married. You look too beautiful, my love."

I smile, feeling my eyes burn. I never imagined I would experience something like this. For a long time, I couldn't even manage to dream of a future. At some point, the idea of loving, dating, and getting married simply ceased to exist, because I thought I wouldn't make it this far.

"Enough with the crying," my mother-in-law interrupts, making us laugh. "This family only knows how to cry."

She goes back to observing me with attention.

"The suit is perfect. It doesn't need any adjustment. You can take it off. I'll speak with the manager so we can take it today and leave it at your mother's house. You know… grooms can't see each other before they reach the altar."

I let out a low sigh, already feeling the ache of not sleeping beside my love tonight. Angela rolls her eyes and casts a playful look at my mother.

"These two are pure sugar."

My mother laughs.

I walk into the fitting room and take off the suit with extreme care, folding everything attentively before putting my clothes back on. I hand the set to the employee who appears, while my mother-in-law follows her to resolve the details.

My mother approaches and holds my face with delicacy.

"I am so happy for you, my love." Her voice comes out thick with emotion. "I am so sorry for holding onto you too tightly. Today I can see how wrong I was to suffocate you with my worry. The gleam I see in your eyes… it's too beautiful."

I smile and hug her.

"You don't need to apologize, Mom. I understand. No mother wants to see her son sick. It scares you; it hurts." I hold her hands. "Thank you for holding back for me. For letting me live."

I take a deep breath before continuing.

"Now I'm getting married. I have a handsome husband. I want you to live without carrying responsibilities. Go out with Dad, enjoy yourselves, and go on trips. I am always going to be nearby."

The tears flow freely. She kisses my forehead.

"I am so proud of the strong and incredible man you have become."

I return the kiss with affection.

Angela approaches shortly after.

"Everything is set. Now, to close the day… it's time for the chemotherapy."

I let out a tired sigh. My body begs for rest, sleep, and silence. Still, I nod in agreement.

We leave the shop, with Angela carrying my suit as if it were something sacred. Her driver opens the rear door of the car. My mother and I get in. He closes it, walks around, and opens the front door for Angela, who thanks him with a smile before getting in.

"Hold the suit here," she says, passing it to us.

I place the set carefully on my lap, along with my mother, so as not to wrinkle anything.

"To the hospital, Mikael."

The engine is started, and the car begins to move.

I lean my head against the seat, taking a deep breath.

The last chemotherapy.

We arrive at the hospital. I leave the suit carefully in the car, and we head inside. As soon as I pass the reception desk, I recognize Verônica behind the counter. My heart accelerates, and I approach even before thinking twice, pulling one of the invitations from my bag.

"Good afternoon, Verônica."

She lifts her gaze and opens an immediate smile.

"Good afternoon, Ethan, dear." She tilts her head slightly. "Did you come for your last chemo?"

I nod.

"Yes. And I wanted to give you this."

She takes the invitation, and her eyes widen.

"You are getting married?"

I smile, confirming.

"Oh, my God…" She brings her hand to her chest. "Congratulations, Ethan. You deserve it so much. And of course I am going to your wedding. Even if I have to pretend I am sick, I'll go."

I let out a sincere laugh.

"Thank you. I'm going to love seeing you there."

She returns the smile.

"Doctor Rodrigo is already in the office, waiting for you."

I thank her with a nod and look at my mother and my mother-in-law. We walk together to the office. I knock twice on the door.

"Come in."

We walk in. Doctor Rodrigo is concentrated on some papers but lifts his gaze as soon as he sees us.

"Good afternoon, Ethan."

"Good afternoon, Doctor."

He turns to them.

"Good afternoon, ladies."

"Good afternoon, doctor," they answer together.

I move closer and sit down. The two of them stand right behind me.

The doctor adjusts his glasses and speaks with a calm, steady tone.

"Today we close the active treatment. This will be your last chemotherapy. From now on, we enter the follow-up phase. The care continues, the tests too, but the treatment ends here."

I feel my chest warm up.