Rise of the Worthless Son in law

14

Damon nodded with his expression resolute. “I’ll handle it,” he assured her, already pulling out his phone to make the necessary arrangements.

Klaus closed his eyes he was clearly, exhausted from the brief conversation.

Vivian gently squeezed his hand as she sniffles softly beside him, “Daddy, you’ll see,” she whispered. “We’ll fight this together.”

As Damon stepped out of the room, Vivian leaned in closer to him, with, her forehead resting against her father’s hand. She could feel the warmth of his skin, “I’m here Daddy, and I’ll be here every step of the way.”

Klaus’s lips curved into a faint smile despite his weakness. “You’ve always been my light, Vivian,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “No matter what happens, I want you to know how proud I am of you.”

Vivian nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Save your strength, Daddy,” she said softly. “We have a lot to look forward to.”

As the hours ticked by, Damon returned with updates, bringing a glimmer of hope to the room. Dr. Nathan had reviewed Klaus’s case and agreed to schedule the surgery the next day.

“Next day?”

"Yes," Damon confirmed, "Dr. Nathan said it's the best shot we have,

Vivian's heart sank, but she kept her composure. "But it’s a chance, right?" she asked, trying to hold onto the thread of hope.

Mr. Williams walked in with a file in his hand, he looked at Vivan then moved jis gaze at Klaus, “I didn’t mean to easedrop on you, but did you say that there is another doctor who wants to treat Mr. Whitmore?”

Vivan nodded as her heart pounded.

“Miss vivan,” he called as he cmears his throat, “I need you to understand something, This procedure, it’s extremely risky. It’s not something that works for everyone. It’s one of those treatments that, honestly, succeeds once in a blue moon.” He paused, looking directly at Klaus, “ Mr. Whitmore's condition is delicate. Even with surgery, there’s no guarantee."

Vivan looked at him in apprehension, “But why didn't you inform us about this Doc? Why didn’t you inform us that there was a bit of hope?”

Dr. Williams exhaled heavily, and with a sober tone, he continued, “Because it’s not a typical form of hope, Miss Vivian,” he admitted. “We’re not talking about a promising procedure. We’re talking about a high-stakes gamble—one that could just as easily cost your father his life as give him a few extra months. It’s not an option I would recommend lightly.”

Vivian’s jaw tightened as frustration and desperation warred within her. “But it’s still an option,” she insisted, her voice trembling. “We should have been given the chance to decide, even if it’s a gamble!”

Damon, who had been standing silently, finally spoke up. “We’re aware of the risks, but Vivian is right. He deserves a shot at life, no matter how slim the odds.”

Dr. Matthews’s gaze flickered to Damon, then back to Vivian, his expression tight with caution. “I can’t, in good conscience, guarantee that the surgery will save him. And there’s another thing we need to consider: your father’s heart, his mental state. He’s been through a lot, physically and emotionally. The stress of this surgery could be more than his body can handle.”

Vivian’s voice shook with emotion as she stood up. “Please, we can’t just give up on him. We have to try.”

Klaus’s weak voice cut through the tension. “Vivian…” He opened his eyes slowly with exhaustion,

“Dr. Williams is just doing his job. Don’t be too hard on him. You’ve done more than enough. You’ve stood by me, fought for me… but at the end of the day, this decision isn’t yours or Damon’s or even Dr. Nathan’s.” His gaze softened as he looked at her. “It’s mine.”

Vivian’s breath hitched as tears welled up in her eyes. “Daddy, please… I can’t lose you.”

Klaus smiled faintly, his hand reaching to brush a tear from her cheek. “You’re stronger than you think, Vivian. And whatever happens, I’ll always be with you.”

Damon, who had been silent since returning to the room, stepped forward. “Klaus,” he said firmly, “you don’t have to make this decision alone. We’ll support whatever you choose.”

Klaus nodded, his expression one of quiet resolve. “Then I choose to take the risk. If there’s even a small chance of more time… of more memories… I’ll take it.”

Dr. Williams hesitated before nodding solemnly. “Very well. I will preare your transfer papers to the other hospital.”

Klaus looked up at Vivian with his gaze steady. "I’ve lived a full life, sweetheart," he said softly. "But I’m not ready to go yet. If there's a chance, however slim, I’ll take it."

Vivian’s tears spilled over as she pressed her cheek against his hand. "We’ll make it through this, together," she promised, her voice thick with emotion.

Damon, sensing the weight of the moment, cleared his throat. "We’ll be with you every step of the way, Klaus. You’re not alone in this." He turned to Vivian. "We’ll need to prepare for tomorrow, but... let’s also be prepared for all possibilities. That’s the reality of the situation."

Vivian nodded, though her heart was heavy. She held her father’s hand tightly, unwilling to let go. "No matter what happens, I won’t leave your side, Dad. We’ll face this as a family."

The room fell into a heavy silence after Klaus’s decision.

Vivian sat beside her father, her fingers laced with his, drawing strength from the warmth of his touch. Damon stood near the window, his phone in hand as he quietly coordinated the logistics of the transfer.

“Vivian,” Klaus said after a moment, :I need you to promise me something.”

She looked up to meet her father’s gaze. “Anything, Daddy.”

“No matter the outcome, you have your whole life ahead of you. Live it fully, for both of us, if it comes to that.”

Vivian shook her head vehemently. “Don’t talk like that,” she pleaded, her voice cracking. “You’re going to get through this. We’ll have more time, more memories… you’ll see.”

Klaus’s smile was faint but filled with pride. “You’ve always been my fighter.”

Before Vivian could respond, Damon’s voice broke the silence. “Everything’s set. The ambulance will arrive in two hours to take him to Dr. Nathan’s hospital.”

Dr. Williams stepped forward with, his expression conflicted. “I’ll oversee the transfer personally,” he said. “I still have my reservations, but I’ll do everything in my power to ensure Mr. Whitmore is stable for surgery.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Vivian said quietly, her tone earnest.

As soon as Doctor Williams closes the door with a click, he looked at the door, wondering whether Klaus Whitmore was going to make it from the surgery or not.