Darrell's mind was already made up. I was only going through the motions.

He kept up his act of selfless concern, still on his knees, crying harder now. "Regina, I understand how you feel. I know how long you've wanted this child."

"But this disease could take me at any moment. I don't want our baby growing up without a father. A child without a dad... that's no life for a kid."

I scoffed internally. I had to hand it to him. His delivery was flawless. Oscar-worthy, really.

I pulled him to his feet, keeping up my own look of stubborn refusal to give in.

"There has to be a chance. As long as we don't give up, your condition can be treated."

Darrell wiped his tears and doubled down on the devoted-husband routine. "I've already looked into it. Pancreatic cancer is the most aggressive of all cancers. By the time it's detected, it's almost always late-stage."

"If we pour everything we have into treatment and it doesn't change the outcome, then what's the point of wasting that money..."

"How can you say that?" I cut him off. "As long as you're here, we're still a family. If I lost you, what would I even be living for?"

He was "putting himself in my shoes," so naturally I had to match him beat for beat with my own passionate devotion.

Darrell pulled me into his arms and held me tight.

If anyone had walked in on us at that moment, they would have envied what a deeply loving couple we were.

But in reality, we were both scheming behind each other's backs, each running our own calculations.

"Regina, I'm not trying to be cruel. I just can't stand the thought of you struggling alone with a baby. This is all my fault." His performance was so convincing it was almost a shame he'd gone into business instead of acting.

Then again, I was every bit his equal.

"Darrell, let me take you back to the hospital tomorrow for a thorough reexamination."

"No need." He shook his head. "Tomorrow, let's go to the hospital and schedule the procedure. The earlier it's done, the less strain it puts on your body."

We each held our ground, but in the end, I was the one who "gave in."

"Darrell, I'll stay by your side through treatment. Once you're better, we can have another baby."

The words nearly made me gag. Darrell must have underestimated the depth of my devotion, because when I said it, he froze for a split second.