Reborn, Reawakened, Rekindled novel Chapter 525

"If you truly understood Hiram's condition, you wouldn't have allowed it to escalate to this point," Neil replied, his voice cold as ice.

Karina's face changed color, seemingly at a loss for words.

Hiram's condition must be serious. The phone call Russel received in the car was likely regarding Hiram's health.

This was clear from both Neil's reaction and Karina's words.

Faith also sensed something was amiss. She asked, "Isn't Hiram's issue just a minor stomach bug? Why are you all talking like it's something serious? What's going on? Don't keep me in the dark!"

"Just a minor issue, one that I can cure," Karina replied.

"I don't believe you. Neil, tell me the truth. What's really wrong with Hiram?" Faith didn't want to hear from Karina; she questioned Neil directly.

Neil glanced at Hiram cradled in Karina's arms, his brow subtly creased.

However, his response was no different from Karina's. "No major issues, I just don't want her to handle the treatment."

Neil's words were naturally more convincing than Karina's. Faith let out a sigh of relief and said irritably, "If it's a minor issue, then we don't need Dr. Karina's help. You're a miracle worker, Neil. You should focus on the more complicated cases. We'll take care of Hiram."

The underlying message was clear—they wanted Karina to step aside and let the Whitmore family take over.

Karina was unusually firm on this matter and wouldn't back down. "I can't let that happen. Even if I have to relinquish Hiram's care to you, I must be responsible for his health. Once he's better, we can discuss custody. Otherwise, I won't let go. No matter how affluent and influential the Whitmore family may be, it won't change the fact that I am Hiram's mother. If you forcibly take him away, he'll resent you!"

Her words struck a nerve with both Faith and Neil.

Hiram was growing up, and he would remember these experiences. What if he grew to resent his father and grandmother?

Unless Karina willingly gave him up.

"Neil, think about this. Either let me treat Hiram first, and we can discuss the rest after he recovers, or let Hiram choose now. Does he want to be with me or with you?" Karina's sudden shift in attitude took me by surprise. Previously, she seemed reluctant to let Hiram choose her over Neil.

After her words, she didn't linger. She turned and left, and Hiram tried to follow.

Neil stopped him. Hiram looked as though he might cry, but after one look at Neil's stern face, he held back his tears.

The atmosphere suddenly turned tense, even more so than before. It felt suffocating. I didn't say a word until Neil led Hiram away, then I followed them out.

Neil took Hiram back to his own hospital room. Karina was already there, flipping through Hiram's medical chart.

"You guys chat, I'm heading out," I said. I came to visit Faith, to have a heart-to-heart with her. As for the drama between Neil, Karina, and Hiram, I didn't want to get involved.

"Ms. Finch," Karina called out to me. She walked over and handed me a medical report. "This is Hiram's test result. Would you like to see it?"

I was taken aback. Why would Karina suddenly show me Hiram's test result?

But I took it anyway. I was curious about Hiram's condition. But when I read the report, I was stunned. I couldn't believe what I read.

Not only was Hiram ill, but his condition was serious. He had acute myeloid leukemia.