His Belated Love for the Abandoned Ex-Wife Chapter 253: Father's Last Words

Julian trailed behind Iris as they made their way to the oncology unit. In the hallway outside the patient rooms, they spotted the doctor speaking with her mother and Ethan, his expression serious as he discussed the prognosis.

Iris quickened her pace. Grace and Ethan stood listening, their faces drawn with tension and grief.

"The cancer has metastasized extensively," the doctor explained gently. "At this stage, surgery or chemotherapy won't be effective. Our focus now is on palliative care—keeping him comfortable and ensuring his remaining time is as peaceful as possible."

Ethan's hands trembled as he gripped the doctor's sleeve. "How long does he have, doctor?"

"It's hard to give an exact timeline. It could be weeks, maybe a few months. His condition is quite advanced."

Iris froze in place, her eyes welling up. Grace's legs seemed to give out, and she slumped against Ethan, stifling sobs behind her hand.

After offering a few quiet words of comfort, the doctor excused himself and walked away.

A heavy, dull ache settled in Iris' chest. "Mom... Ethan."

Ethan blinked back tears and looked over. "Hey, Iris. You made it."

Suddenly, Grace turned on Iris, her voice sharp and accusing. "How can you even show your face here? If it weren't for you, your father wouldn't be in this state!"

Iris clenched her fists but stayed silent.

Ethan stepped in, voice tense. "Mom, that's not fair. This has nothing to do with Iris."

"Nothing to do with her?" Grace snapped. "A few weeks ago, I set her up with a perfectly nice man from our church group. And what does she do? She tells him she's HIV-positive and scares him off! When your father heard about it, he was so upset he didn't sleep all night. The very next day, his symptoms took a turn for the worse. She rushed this."

Julian frowned, irritation clear in his tone. "Keith's cancer relapsed because of the disease, not because of something Iris said. Don't put that on her."

Grace shot him a glare. "This is family business. Stay out of it."

Ethan raised his voice. "Mom, stop it. Just stop."

But Grace kept going, her anger spilling over onto both Iris and Julian.

Without another word, Iris turned and led Julian into the hospital room.

Inside, Keith lay frail and weak in the bed, an oxygen tube under his nose and an IV running into his arm.

Iris pulled a chair close and took her father's hand.

Keith's eyes were clouded, but they found hers. Tears gathered at the corners as he whispered, "Iris... don't waste any more money on me. My time's running out."

Iris held his hand tighter. Her tears finally fell. "Don't say that, Dad. We still have options. There are clinical trials, new treatments... We're not giving up."

Keith gave a weak shake of his head. His voice was thin and raspy. "I know my own body, sweetheart... It's enough now. You take care of yourself. Look after your mom and your brother."

Iris cried quietly, shaking her head as if she could refuse his words. "No, Dad. Please. We can fight this."

Keith managed a slight nod before his eyes closed again, his breathing gradually steadying.

Iris remained at his bedside, watching his tired face, her heart full of a grief she could barely hold.

Julian gave them their space and stepped back into the hallway.

Grace was still crying softly near the wall. Ethan stood beside her, jaw tight.

Walking over, Julian said quietly, "If there's anything you need—anything at all—let me know."

Ethan met his eyes and nodded. "Thanks, Julian. Iris... she's been carrying all this alone. Just be there for her, okay?"

Julian smiled faintly. "She won't really let me in. But I'm trying."

Ethan sighed and placed a hand on Julian's shoulder. "She's stubborn. But she still cares about you. Don't walk away."

Julian just nodded.

Late into the night, the hospital hallway grew still.

Iris never left her father's side. She didn't dare sleep, afraid that if she closed her eyes, he might slip away.

Keith woke occasionally, murmuring a few broken words to her, but mostly he slept.

Outside the room, Julian watched through the glass panel, his heart aching at the sight of Iris' hunched shoulders. He knew how much she was hurting, yet felt powerless to ease it. All he could do was wait, hoping she'd call for him.

In the quiet hours before dawn, Keith's breathing suddenly grew rapid and strained.

Iris bolted upright, gripping his hand. "Dad? What's wrong?"

With great effort, Keith opened his eyes. His gaze was distant but fixed on her. "Iris... you've been a good daughter. I'm sorry... if your mother hadn't been so desperate to keep you all those years ago... you could've had... such a different life. A brighter one."

Tears streamed down Iris' face. "Dad, what are you talking about? Keep me from what?"

"Don't hate me... and don't hate your mother, either..." Keith's grip went slack, and his breathing grew faint, each breath further apart than the last.

Iris felt as if her heart were tearing in two. "Dad... Dad, no!"

But Keith's eyes slowly closed, and his breathing faded into silence.