Chapter 547
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546
Jonathan remained silent for a tense moment after Hayden’s words . Finally , he said , “ I don’t want to hear you talk about this . Like I’ve always said , Sanford will always be a Thomas , never a Lynn . Not in this lifetime .
“ If Sanford ever takes the Lynn , then I , Jonathan , will renounce it myself . ”
Hayden scolded , “ You brat . I’ve already agreed to your terms . Do you think I’d go back on my word now ? Fine , let Sanford keep his mother’s surname . We’ll just keep calling him that . ”
Jonathan asked indifferently , “ When are you returning to Nareigh ? ”
Hayden replied , “ Werner already booked my flight ticket . Don’t bother with it . ”
Jonathan gave a slight nod and left the villa . As he was leaving , he reminded Hayden to lock the door before he departed .
Hayden glared at Jonathan and asked , “ You little rascal , when are you heading back ? ”
Jonathan replied coldly , “ That’s none of your concern . ” He no longer showed Hayden the same respect as before .
Liora regained consciousness to find Sanford keeping vigil at her bedside . She was momentarily dazed . Her throat parched , she managed to croak out ,
“ Sanford . ”
Sanford stared at Liora with bloodshot eyes . He asked , “ Mom , did you know all along that you … ? ” His throat was painfully dry , the words catching in his
throat .
After a long , agonizing pause , he finally managed to choke out , “ You have lung cancer . ”
“ Sanford , ” Liora choked out , her voice thick with emotion .
Seeing Liora’s serene composure , Sanford broke down instantly . He said , “ Mom , how could you keep something this big from me ? Why do you always keep everything from me ? ”
Liora shook her head wordlessly , tears streaming down her face like pearls from a broken string .
Sanford demanded , “ Say something , Mom . Why do you keep everything from me ? Am I not even your son ? Am I not family to you ? What the hell do I even mean to you ? ”
“ I’m so sorry . It’s all my fault , Sanford , ” Liora choked out , tears streaming down her face .
Sanford’s voice choked with emotion . He sat on the edge of Liora’s bed , burying his face in her hands , his shoulders shaking even more violently at that
moment .
He said , “ Mom , it’s all my fault . I never should’ve gone looking for Dad , never should’ve gone back to Nareigh . I shouldn’t have disobeyed you and provoked Jonathan and the others .
“ I shouldn’t have made your condition worse because of me . Mom , this is all on me . ” With that , he slapped himself hard across th deserve to die . ”
He cried out , “ !
“ Sanford , stop that ,” Liora pleaded , her heart aching as she clasped his hand . She said , “ I’ve known for a long time that my time is limited . My illness isn’t your fault . It was wrong of me to hide it from you .
“ Please , don’t blame yourself . I just couldn’t bear to see you suffering like this ; that’s why I kept it from you . ”
Sanford clung to Liora desperately , his arms trembling . He said , “ Mom , please , I’m begging you , don’t leave me . You’re the only family I have left in this world . If you’re gone , I’ll be completely orphaned .
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546
“ What’s the point of living alone in this world ? ”
Liora gently patted his shoulder and said , “ My dear boy , just find yourself a wife , have a child , and build a little family of your own . ”
But Sanford wasn’t one to treat such a serious commitment as child’s play . He did consider marrying Teresa just to get back at Jonathan at first , but his promise was real .
He thought , ‘ If I had married a woman , I would’ve kept my word , treated my wife well , and been a proper husband . Whoever my wife might be , I’d always hoped Mom could see my happiness . But now … ‘
“ Sanford , actually , ” Liora’s voice wavered , on the verge of blurting out a truth she could no longer contain .
AD