The Memory Keeper: The Sin In Our Name

Khai's POV

I sat at my desk, staring blankly at the mountain of paperwork that had been untouched for hours. The words on the page blurred together, meaningless against the noise in my head.

Then my phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

Dr. Vasquez.

I hesitated for a second before answering. "Dr. Vasquez?"

His tone was different-lighter, hopeful. It caught me off guard.

"Khai, I have good news."

My stomach tightened. "What kind of news?"

"I reached out to a colleague overseas. Dr. Müller, one of the leading neurosurgeons in Germany, reviewed your case. He believes there's a possibility for surgery."

My heart slammed against my chest. "Surgery? I thought that wasn't an option. You told me it was too dangerous."

"For most surgeons, yes," he said carefully. "But Dr. Müller specializes in high-risk brain surgeries, especially with tumors like yours. He's pioneered advanced techniques that could make this operation possible."

Possible.

The word lingered, but it wasn't enough.

I leaned forward, gripping the edge of my desk. "What's the risk?"

Dr. Vasquez paused, then spoke with caution. "Given the tumor's location and size, the procedure is extremely delicate. There's a chance of complications-partial paralysis, memory loss, even..." He hesitated. "...death."

My throat tightened. I had expected that answer, but hearing it still hit me hard.

"And if I don't do the surgery?"

There was a heavy silence.

"Without intervention, Khai, your tumor will continue to grow. You might have a year, maybe less, before it becomes inoperable. Symptoms will worsen-headaches, nausea, cognitive decline. Eventually, it will be fatal."

I closed my eyes, swallowing hard.

One year. Maybe less.

I forced myself to ask the next question. "And if I go through with it? What's my survival rate?"

"Dr. Müller estimates a 60% chance of successful tumor removal. But that doesn't guarantee a cure. There's still a risk of recurrence, and recovery will be long and difficult."

Sixty percent.

It wasn't a perfect number, but it wasn't zero.

"Dr. Müller is willing to consult with you," Dr. Vasquez continued. "You'd need to travel to Munich for more evaluations, but this could be a turning point."

I leaned back in my chair, staring up at the ceiling as if the answer was written there.

Germany.

A world away from the mess I had created here.

I thought of Rain. Of how I'd already hurt her more than I could ever make up for. And my family, the company, the weight of responsibilities that I couldn't seem to carry anymore.

"Khai?" Dr. Vasquez's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.

I cleared my throat. "I... I need some time to think."

"Of course. But don't wait too long. Every day matters."

"I know."

We ended the call, and I stared at the phone in my hand, still frozen.