Not long ago, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the hospital where Mom was working.

But sadly, even as the hospital director, she had no idea about my condition. She even said I was just putting on an act.

My attending physician said I was in a precarious situation. But if we could bring in Dr. Julian Xanders, the renowned brain tumor specialist, there might still be a chance for me to survive.

And he just so happened to be Mom’s close friend from university.

There were times I tried to approach her with my medical records to get her help, but she didn’t even bother to take a proper look.

She merely threw the files to the floor and snapped, “I’m busy. Can you stop playing these silly games on me?”

As time went on, my condition worsened. The tumor began to affect my optic nerve, and I eventually turned blind. All I could do was endure the pain in bed.

Unable to bear it anymore, my attending physician sought Mom out.

“Dr. Zieck, Zachary really doesn’t have much time left. Please help him!”

Without even looking up, Mom replied coldly, “What did he promise you to make you play along with his little game? He just wants to trick me into caring about him, isn’t he?

“To think he actually claimed that he has a brain tumor! But honestly, it’d be great if he really did have one. At least I’d finally get some peace and quiet.

“If you continue fooling around with him, don’t blame me for firing you. Now get out!”

My physician wanted to say something more, but looking at how unfazed Mom was, she could only shake her head helplessly before leaving.

Dr. Xanders was out of reach, and my condition couldn’t wait any longer. Left with no choice, my attending physician arranged for the best neurosurgeon in the hospital to perform the surgery.

Before the operation, I asked my attending physician to call Mom through a video call. I had already lost my sight, but I still wanted to hear her voice. I just wanted to try one last time to make her believe me.

But still, what I got instead was her mocking me.

“Oh, are you trying out a new trick now? Pretending to be blind, huh? You really think I’m going to fall for that?

“Alright, enough. Stop trying to pull stunts like this all the time!”

Before I could say anything more, another patient called her away.

But to my surprise, Mom actually came to visit me at my ward that evening. She even brought homemade dinner, and I realized it was the first time she had come to see me since I got sick.

A pang of glee shot through me, but then she said, “By the way, I’ve switched your surgeon. Sean will be operating on you.”

I was flabbergasted. Never mind that we couldn’t get a top specialist, but by replacing my surgeon with Sean, who was still a trainee, she had basically sentenced me to death.

“Mom, I’m begging you… Please don’t let Sean operate on me,” I implored. “This might be my last chance to live. I’ll do anything! I’ll even kneel if that’s what it takes. Just please…”

But Mom slapped me hard across the face and roared, “How did I raise such a selfish brat? Your brother just started his internship. What’s the harm in helping him get some experience?”

“No, Mom! Please, I beg you…” I cried out. “I really want to live… I’ll do anything you say as long as you let me live…”

Yet, she completely ignored me and began packing up the meal she had brought.

“You’re unbelievable. To think you can’t even handle a minor illness without whining like a baby. But there’s nothing left to discuss. This is final.”

With that, she grabbed her things and sauntered out of my ward, leaving me behind in endless darkness and despair.