Probably asking if he'd told me yet.

Darrell drew a long breath, as if steeling himself for something.

I seized the moment. "Didn't you say you had something to tell me too?"

His lips curved into a stiff half-smile, and his words came out halting. "Right. I... also have news."

He fumbled in his pocket for what felt like forever before finally producing a crumpled diagnosis report.

I put on my most expectant face and waited for him to speak.

"Regina, I went to the hospital today too. But my news... isn't good."

I played along, letting the smile drain from my face inch by inch, eyes widening as I stared at him.

Darrell turned the diagnosis report to face me. "I've been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer."

I looked at the forged document. I knew it was fake, but this was a performance. The props might be fake, but the emotions had to be real.

"Darrell, it has to be a misdiagnosis. You've always been so healthy."

I shook my head in disbelief, and my eyes stung with heat. Tears actually welled up, threatening to spill.

Darrell saw my grief and took it for the real thing. He gripped my shoulders, his expression the picture of tender devotion. "Regina, I wish it were a misdiagnosis too. But I went to a specialist. I know I seem fine on the outside, but the truth is I've been feeling off for a long time."

When the scene called for deeper emotion, I threw my arms around him and sobbed against his chest. "Cancer isn't a death sentence anymore. The baby and I will be right by your side through all of it."

The words had barely left my mouth when Darrell suddenly pushed me back. His knees buckled, and he dropped to the floor in front of me.

It wasn't until he was kneeling there that I noticed actual tears rolling down his cheeks.

He clutched my hands in his. "Regina, please. End the pregnancy. I can't bear the thought of you raising a child alone."

Hearing those words, a nerve twitched at the corner of my eye. This piece of garbage. For the sake of his own interests, he could be this heartless. I hadn't imagined he could sink this low.

I was watching his cruelty play out right in front of me. But I was still in character. I had to see this performance through.

"Darrell, we tried so long for this baby. Isn't there any other way?"

"Medicine has come so far. Cancer isn't what it used to be..."

The words tasted like ash in my own mouth, but I had to say them. It was part of the script.