Chapter 73

“Elaine!” Ryan hisses. “What?” she says, looking unfazed. “I’m cutting to the chase. No one wants a dramatic buildup, especially not you.” The doctor clears his throat, adjusting his glasses. “Well, let’s start with the biopsy results, shall we?” Ryan feels his pulse quicken as the doctor pulls up a file on his computer. The room feels hot. His eyes dart to Elaine, who’s looking at the doctor like he’s about to offer her stock tips instead of potentially life-altering news. The doctor’s face is neutral as he scans the screen. Ryan wonders if they can hear his heart pound. “Alright,” the doctor says, looking up. “The lump we removed was benign.” Ryan blinks. “What?” “Benign,” the doctor repeats. “Non-cancerous. No further treatment is required, though we’ll want to monitor you with regular check-ups to ensure no changes over time.” For a moment, Ryan doesn’t breathe. The words hang in the air, refusing to sink in. Then the relief hits him. He slumps back in his chair, his head falling i