Her Return, His Regret by Natie

Chapter 159~ Support system Ryan was waiting for the Doctor in his ward when he heard someone knock on the glass. He turned to look and what he saw made his eyes widen in shock. "What's going on??" He mouthed since he couldn't be heard from outside.

From outside, Adan Nicholson lowered the whiteboard he was holding and waved at him.

Ryan was still trying to understand what was happening when Jason opened the door to the ward and walked in. His freshly shaved head gleamed under the lights. Behind him, Charles, Miles and Adan stepped into the ward, all sporting matching shiny scalps.

It couldn't be helped. Ryan glanced at the four men and broke into a laugh.

"Are you guys crazy? You look so funny... why did you shave off your hair?" He asked.

Adan chuckled. He put the whiteboard away and answered, "As your support system, we decided to cut off all our hair until yours grows back." "But I still have my hair," Ryan remarked.

Charles sighed and said, "It will fall off at spoint. And instead of waiting for it, why not cut it all off until your whole treatment is done?" "Adan, I knew you were crazy but Jason, Dad and Grandpa too?" Ryan uttered. He looked at Adan and asked, "How did you even convince everyone to do this?" The four men laughed before Charles raised his chest and stated, "Actually, this was my idea. I couldn't let you go through this alone. So I asked these young ones to cut their hair to support you. We are in this together." "What I didn't expect is for them to have funny heads. Have you seen your Dad's head? It looks like a potato," Charles added and they all burst into laughter.

"Father, con. Don't forget I got my looks from you. So my head looks like yours," Miles remarked and Charles playfully glared at him.

"You must be blind. What part oflooks like you? Onlyand Ryan will look nice in shaved heads," Charles said.

"What are you saying, Grandpa? I'm the most good-looking man right now," Adan remarked, patting his head. "I'm rocking my bald look too," Jason said and took out a shaving machine which he had hidden behind him. He looked at Ryan and asked, "Are you ready to rock yours too?" Ryan's eyes suddenly watered with tears. He replied, "I didn't expect this... thank you so much, guys. This means a lot to me." "Don't mention it, bro," Jason responded.

A little while later, Ryan sat in front of a mirror in the bathroom inside the ward. Adan was standing behind him, holding a buzzing shaving machine in his hand with an exaggerated air of confidence.

"Are you sure you know how to do this?" Ryan asked worriedly.

"Of course! Who do you think worked on everyone's hair?" Adan replied. "Just relax. You'll look just like us. Handsand smouldering." Adan began to shave off Ryan's hair and Ryan felt a wave of emotion course through him. Seeing his father, grandfather, brother and best friend shave their heads to support him made him feel very touched. Now that he was shaving his head, he didn't feel bad about losing his hair. When Adan was done, he stepped back and asked, "What do you think?" Ryan looked into the mirror, his reflection staring back at him. He could see a different version of himself but he didn't mind. The bald look made him stand out but he loved it. It was a symbol of his road to recovery.

If not for Jason, Ryan wouldn't have even had a chance to cut off his hair, so he was very grateful for the opportunity to get treated.

"It's not bad," Ryan admitted. "Grandpa was right. I look handsome." "Yeah, welcto the bald club, man," Adan replied.

When the two of them walked out of the bathroom, the other three men smiled.

"That's my boy!" Charles exclaimed. "The Kingsleys can rock any look!" Later that day, Jason stayed by Ryan's side in place of Lora as promised. The rest of the family had left to give Ryan sspace, also his condition didn't allow for him to be around a crowd for a long tto avoid infections and complications. Jason sat on a one-seat couch in the ward, watching as a nurse inserted an IV into Ryan's arm. Soon, the chemotherapy session began and Jason engaged Ryan in conversation to keep him occupied. "Are you nervous?" Jason asked.

"A little," Ryan admitted, looking at his arm before adding, "But I'll get through this. I won't let your sacrifice go to waste." "You can do this..." Jason encouraged.

Ryan glanced at Jason, a smile crossing his lips. He remarked, "Thank you, Jason. For everything." He paused and added, "When I found out we were brothers, to be honest, I was confused and disappointed. I hated you. How did you becmy brother in the blink of an eye? However, seeing you here, shaving your head forand sticking around while I go through chemo, I could never ask for another brother. I am blessed to be your big brother and I hope we keep getting along like this." "I've always wanted to be close to my family..." Jason revealed. "Thank you for givinga chance." The two brothers continued to chat and crack jokes as the session progressed, their bond becoming stronger than ever.

Ryan sighed internally, his heart feeling full. He was moved to tears by his family's gesture. For the first tin a long time, he felt like he could overcwhatever obstacle that might chis way in the future.

Night soon fell and Ryan settled in his hospital bed with his tablet in hand. His phone rang and a smile crossed his lips. As promised, Lora had called him on a video call.

He quickly accepted the call and Lora's face appeared on the screen. Beside her were Ella and Ethan who looked eager to speak to their father.

Ella gasped and asked, "Daddy, did you cut your hair? You look different!"

Ryan smiled softly, feeling a little tired but he had to talk to his family first before sleeping. He replied, "Yes, Fried a new look. What do you think?" Ella tilted her head, studying Ryan through the screen. She answered, "You still look like my daddy but without hair. It's a bit strange." Lora let out a chuckle before looking

at Ella and saying, "Sweetheart, Daddy just has a new look. And it's m okay to look different. There's nothing wrong with being different. It makes us unique and special Daddy looks pretty cool... you should see your Uncle Jason and Uncle Adan, they cut their hair too. Grandpa and Big Grandpa cut their hair too!" "Really?" Ella's eyes grew big. "Is that a trend? I want to cut my hair too!" Ryan chuckled and said, "No, your hair is just perfect the way it is." At the stime, Ethan glanced at his father and asked, "Are you ok, Daddy? You look tired." Ryan smiled and replied, "I'm fine, son... I just need a little rest." "Ok, let's let Daddy rest now... you will talk to him tomorrow," Lora said.

"When is Daddy coming back, Mommy? I miss him," Ella asked and Ryan's heart felt warm on the other side of the phone.

He responded, "I miss you more, Ella. Ethan, Daddy misses you... I'll get better and I'll be able to chsoon."

When the call ended, Ryan's heart felt at ease. Getting chemo was tough but speaking to his family gave him the strength to push forward and never back down. Knowing there were people waiting for him motivated him to hold on to life.