Chapter 107: Risk.

Chapter 107: Risk.
While Steven worked in his office at his tech company, his mind drifted to the drama that had unfolded earlier concerning Shane's and Denise's relationship. He paused, contemplating how to convince Dua to consent to the relationship.
The creak of the door jolted him back to reality, and he looked up to see Victoria walking in. “What are we talking about today?” she asked, settling into the chair opposite him.
“Something…” Steven began, but Victoria cut him off.
“Before that, you asked me to take care of your wife and children during your absence, but you haven’t gone anywhere yet. Did you change your mind about traveling?” she questioned, a hint of concern in her voice.
“That… that favor is still valid,” Steven replied, his tone more serious than she anticipated.
“And I called you here today to ask for another favor,” he added, his voice taut.
“Steven, what’s going on with you? You’ve been asking for a lot of favors lately.” She raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face.
“Just promise you won’t freak out when I say what I’m about to say,” he requested, meeting her gaze.
“Why?” she asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Just promise me,” he urged, and she finally nodded. “Okay, fine.”
Steven took a deep breath, the weight of his revelation pressing against him. “Here goes,” he said, leaning forward and lowering his voice as if the walls might somehow eavesdrop. “Diane… isn’t Diane. She’s actually Dua.”
Victoria blinked at him for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. “Okay, you’re really bad at jokes. But I think you got me this time.”
“I’m serious,” Steven insisted, his voice steady but urgent. “My wife is actually Dua, not Diane.”
“She changed her name from Diane to Dua?” Victoria still struggled to grasp the gravity of the situation.
“She didn’t. It’s who she is. Diane and Dua are two different people.” Steven clarified, sensing her disbelief.
“And why do you think so?” she questioned, her brow furrowing.
“I verified it,” he replied, narrating his discovery in detail. 
“What?!” Victoria exclaimed when he finished. “You’ve known this for that long and you didn't even think to tell me? Am I even your friend?" She shot at him.
"Well now you know," Steven replied, but her scoff echoed with disbelief. The silence between them stretched, becoming a heavy blanket over the room as Victoria processed the revelation. “So there are identical people who aren’t blood-related?” She shook her head, her mind still in turmoil. 
“And if this person with you is Dua, then where’s Diane?” she pressed, her brow furrowed in concern.
"She’s returned," Steven replied, sensing the alarm rise in her expression. "And that’s why I need your help."
Victoria's eyes widened. 
"I don't trust Diane. As long as she's Bob's daughter, she'll be just as despicable as him. My wife and kids will never be safe while she's around," he declared, his voice tense. 
“I'm re-entrusting my wife and kids to you again, Vi. I’m also doing everything I can to ensure their safety, but I don’t know how long I’ll be around, which is why I’m asking you,” he added, urgency lacing his words.
Victoria studied him intently, her gaze piercing and unwavering as if delving into the very depths of his soul. “What else are you hiding from me?” she asked, her voice low, catching him off guard.
“What are you saying?” He tried to deflect, but the unease in her eyes compelled him to confront the truth.
“Steven!” she called, her tone no longer patient but demanding. 
“Okay, fine!” he finally surrendered, his shoulders slumping. “I have only a short time to live because I have a hole in my heart, and I refused to take surgery.” The words tumbled out casually, but the weight of them sank heavy in the air, filling the space between them like an unforgiving fog.
“What… what do you mean you have a hole in your heart? When were you going to tell me that?!” Victoria’s voice trembled with a jumble of shock and anger, her mind racing.
“I didn’t want to worry you. I thought I could manage,” Steven replied, though he could see the thin veneer of her concern stretching taut.
“The doctors say it’s treatable, but surgery… it’s a risk I’m not sure I want to take,” he explained. 
“A risk you're not sure you want to take?” Victoria exclaimed, her hands gesturing dramatically, a mix of concern and frustration etched on her face. “Steven, it’s your life we’re talking about! You have a wife and two kids on the way who need you right now! How can you even think about leaving them?”
“I’m doing my best!” he snapped back, the edge in his voice sharper than he intended. “This isn’t easy for me either. I’m trying to protect them from the fallout of everything, including my past mistakes. That’s why I need your help, especially if Diane is back in the picture.”
“But you’ve known this whole time!” Victoria's emotions bubbled over, and tears began to well in her eyes. “You’ve been keeping this secret from me, and I don’t understand why. You’re my best friend! And now you’re just throwing this at me like it’s nothing?”
“I didn’t want to burden you, Vi. I thought if I could find a way to resolve everything first, I could spare you the pain,” he explained, his tone softening as he noticed the hurt etched on her face.
"You didn’t want to burden me?" She scoffed, disbelief flooding her. "Let’s put your family aside for a moment. Did you ever even think of me? Do you see me as a true friend? Have you thought about how I’d feel… how I’d cope if anything happens to you?" Silent tears slipped down her cheeks.
“Do you love me this much… you’re even crying for me.” Steven was taken aback by the intensity of her emotion. He had never expected her to care so deeply.
"What are friends for if not to be there for each other?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, filled with vulnerability.
Taken aback, he whispered back, “I’m sorry, Vi.” He gently took her hands in his. “This bastard friend of yours is sorry for hurting you—he’s caused so much pain. He’s hurt his wife, his brother, and now, he’s hurt his best friend too…Still I don't know why they won't leave me, they still keep sticking to this bastard.” His emotions pouring over. "I'm sorry, Vi," he said once more.
"You're not a bastard, Steven. You're the bravest person I know,” she said softly, reaching up to cradle his face with her hand, her touch warm. "And I’ll continue to stand with you until my last breath,” she said, her voice steady despite the tears that still glistened in her eyes.
Steven felt a wave of comfort wash over him, but a hint of guilt tugged at his heart. 
“Just don’t keep deep secrets from me anymore,” she pleaded.
“I promise, no more secrets,” he assured her, and her smile widened.
“But you’re still going to take that surgery, right?” she pressed, her tone shifting to one of determination.
“Vi…” he began, wanting to object.
“Don’t ‘Vi’ me, you’re going to take the surgery.” she interrupted, her voice firm. 
He gave a reluctant nod and she flashed him a bright smile. Steven smiled in return, feeling grateful for having a friend like her with him.