Chapter 170

Chapter 170
Ridley's POV

Morning light filtered through the hospital blinds, casting long shadows across the sterile room. I opened my eyes, immediately aware of the antiseptic scent that seemed to cling to everything. Despite my circumstances, a small smile tugged at my lips. Cedar had finally agreed to take the kids home last night after hours of gentle persuasion. They needed proper rest, not the uncomfortable makeshift beds this room offered. She'd texted earlier that they'd be here after breakfast—a message that warmed me more than I cared to admit.

The nurse had just finished her routine check when the door swung open with unexpected force. Ethan Pierce strode in, his normally composed face darkened with anger and concern.

"Morning," I offered casually, attempting to project my usual unaffected demeanor despite being trapped in this hospital bed.

"'Morning'? That's all you've got to say?" Ethan approached, keeping his voice low but intense. "Cedar called me last afternoon since she couldn't visit our parents. She told me everything. Ridley, what the hell were you thinking?"

I adjusted my position slowly, buying time before responding. "I preferred to keep it private."

"Private?" The words escaped through his clenched teeth. "Am I just anyone to you? Christ, Sterling, how long have we known each other?"

"That's precisely why I didn't tell you." I gazed out the window rather than meeting his eyes. "The later you know, the later you have to deal with it. Why make everyone else carry my burden?"

Ethan slammed his palm against the bed rail with a sharp crack. "You self-righteous bastard! Who do you think you are? Some tragic hero who suffers alone?" He inhaled deeply, visibly restraining himself. "You have no idea how worried Cedar is. Her voice was shaking on the phone yesterday!"

The mention of Cedar sent a sharp pang through my chest. "I never intended for her to find out."

"Well, she knows now!" Ethan leaned down, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Listen to me, Ridley. You need to fight this. Not for your damn empire, not for the Sterling name, but for Cedar and those three kids. My sister finally found you—as insufferable as you are—and I won't let you give up so easily."

He was right. They were the only reason any of this mattered anymore. Now that I'd finally found genuine happiness, the universe seemed determined to limit my time to cherish it.

"I'm not giving up," I said quietly. "But the doctors said—"

"Screw what the doctors said!" Ethan cut me off, then lowered his voice. "That's the other reason I'm here. I told my parents last night, and they immediately started calling their medical connections."

This caught me by surprise. I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

"There's a medical conference happening in Europe specifically focused on blood disorders like yours." Hope tinged Ethan's voice. "My father knows the professor organizing it—Dr. Hoffmann. He's the leading expert in this field. Keeps a low profile, most of his research hasn't been made public yet."

My heart rate quickened slightly. "Ethan, don't tell me you've already—"

"My father called him last night." Determination flashed in Ethan's eyes. "He's interested in your case and willing to see you after the conference concludes. He's been developing experimental treatments that are showing promising results in Europe."

The news was like a ray of light penetrating the darkness that had enveloped me. Still, I quickly tempered my hope. I'd seen too many people fall deeper into despair after clinging to false promises.

"Thank you," I said simply, then added, "but I need you to promise me something."

Ethan nodded, waiting.

"Don't tell Cedar about this yet." I held his gaze firmly. "At least not until we know for certain that Dr. Hoffmann can offer effective treatment. I won't give her false hope only to watch her face crumble with disappointment later."

Ethan frowned. "She has a right to know."

"Eventually, yes. But not now." My voice hardened with resolve. "She's already dealing with so much. I won't put her through an emotional roller coaster. When there's concrete good news, I'll tell her myself."

Ethan studied me silently before finally sighing. "Fine, but I'm only keeping quiet temporarily. If there's real progress, you have to tell her. She's not some fragile flower who needs your protection, Ridley."

"I know how strong she is," I said softly, remembering how Cedar had sat beside my bed last night, holding my hand and promising to stay with me through whatever came next. "That's exactly why I can't bear to make her endure the pain of shattered hope repeatedly."

Ethan seemed ready to argue further, but ultimately just nodded. He checked his watch. "I need to go to a board meeting. I'll stay in touch and let you know immediately if we hear anything from Dr. Hoffmann."

He reached the door, then turned back. "Don't let my sister down, Sterling. You owe her a complete future."

As Ethan's footsteps faded down the corridor, I sank into contemplation. A complete future. Something I'd never thought I could have again. But now, for Cedar, for Aiden, Aria, and Oliver, I needed to grasp every thread of hope, no matter how thin.

I heard children's laughter approaching in the hallway and took a deep breath, composing my features.