Sofia Lanka's stomach dropped, a wave of cold dread sweeping through her. “What is it?” Sofia asked.

“Promise me you won't get too upset. You're pregnant, and I don't want you to stress,” Lyon said softly, his voice laced with worry.

“I promise. Whatever she has done, I will not be influenced by it,” Sofia Lanka declared in a monotone voice.

Lyon paused before saying, “Alexander just called. Your mom’s health test results are back from last month. She has brain cancer. The doctors say that she has six months left.”

Sofia Lanka let her eyes drift downward, her face serene, but deceiving. "I figured you'd tell me she was...