Chapter 268 - Tears

"Hey ... Friedrich, why are you coming here so suddenly?" Sam Atlas asked as he opened the door for his two guests. He smiled broadly and invited them in.

For a moment, he was stunned to see the beautiful girl who had come with Friedrich. He had never seen this man close to a woman before, let alone bring her here.

Did Friedrich now have a girlfriend? They look so good together, Sam thought happily.

He knew that Laura, his daughter, had tried many times to find a date for Friedrich but had always failed. They knew that the man was more interested in science than women.

"I need to talk about something really important with you .." Friedrich said matter-of-factly. He then sat on the sofa and straightforwardly told what happened.

Sam Atlas was silent for a few moments after hearing Friedrich's explanation. He really didn't expect things like this to happen. The young genius he considered as his own son... had a really grave illness. His face was filled with sorrow that he could no longer hide.

Today, Sam Atlas, who always looked full of energy and passion, suddenly seemed older than his nearly sixty years.

His boss's expression of grief touched Friedrich. He knew that Sam Atlas cared about him and considered him like his own son, but he didn't expect his boss to seem devastated.

"Have you ... sought a second opinion? Have you visited another doctor or another hospital?" asked Sam at last. Friedrich shook his head.

"I haven't had time yet. I was about to go to another hospital, but somehow I can't remember that I had that appointment. I think this is clear evidence that the first doctor's diagnosis is correct," said the young man in a choked voice. He still tried to appear calm, even though he had just received a death sentence from a doctor. "He said a maximum of two-three years, probably even less."

Sam Atlas took a long deep breath. He was really unwilling. This genius and the very talented young man was defeated by a malignant disease.

Why is this world so unfair, he thought sadly.

"You guys stay here while Friedrich has his next medical check-up, so you all will be more at peace with it," Sam said finally, making up his mind. "We will get a second opinion, a third opinion, and we will treat you well ..."

Friedrich lowered his head dejectedly. Earlier during the trip, he had read many references about this Lewy Body Dementia disease and he knew that Sam Atlas's efforts to cure him would be in vain. 

Right now, the best thing he could do was ... accept the reality and prepare to die.

"Don't argue with me ... we have to try to do something. Don't just give up," said Sam as he saw the reluctance on Friedrich's face. "Anyway, you, Charles, and this girl should move into my house, and we will face this together."

"Uhm ... I was just staying in their house because Friedrich helped me. I am not related to them," Hannah said quickly. She doesn't want to bother other people anymore.

Sam frowned at Hannah's words. "You're not Friedrich's girlfriend?"

Hannah's face immediately flushed red. She glanced sideways and found that the man in question also appeared to have a red face. Why did Friedrich look blushing? Hannah thought in surprise.

Did he...?

She did not dare to think too highly of herself and assumed that Friedrich liked her. Hannah cleared her throat and shook her head again.

"Friedrich is very nice to me. I'm not his girlfriend, but if he needs me to take care of him while he is sick, I'll stay and I will be so happy to take care of him ..." said the girl shyly. She glanced at Friedrich and hoped to see the man not shake his head and send her away.

If it was true that Friedrich only had less than three years left ... then, Hannah wanted to be there for him. They didn't have much time left.

Sam looked at Friedrich closely and said, "I think we should have her stay here to help care for you. Do you agree? I will seek the best care and top doctors. You take it easy. We will not give up without a fight."

Because Sam kept insisting, Friedrich finally gave in. At this point, he didn't know what else to do. If the doctor said, he only had a few years to live ... what could he do to fight fate?

He was only worried about his younger brother Charles, who would become alone after their parents left them, and later, Friedrich would also leave him. 

And ... Hannah. The girl would be alone too.

She had left her family and was trying to disappear. Even if she tried to be independent, it would be difficult for her to really live a good life as a foreigner in a country that was not her homeland.

Friedrich took her away, so he also had to help Hannah to the end and make sure the girl's life was cared for, even after he died.

"We have to tell Charles," Hannah said as she and Friedrich arrived back at the man's house. They were packing for temporary relocation at Sam Atlas's house as he had requested.

Charles would be home from school soon, and they had to tell the teen what happened.

"Can you just talk to my brother?" Friedrich asked in a weak voice. "I'm not sure my memory is accurate enough to explain all the details."

"Of course," said Hannah. She tried to always look calm and smile on the surface. She knew that if she looked sad and worried, Friedrich's mental state would be even worse.

She tried to calm down and look for reference materials to explain to Charles about his brother's condition. She was ready when the teenager finally came home from school and whistled through the front door.

"Hey .. you two are at home?" asked Charles, smiling broadly. "This isn't like you."

"Uhm .. we need to talk," said Hannah.

She tried to keep smiling, but her eyes couldn't lie. Charles was immediately struck with a bad feeling.

"Wh .... what's this?" asked the young man in a choked voice.