I recognize that could be interpreted in a funny way, but there is a genuine truth to it. The dying man would get mad if mom spilled the beans, but he’d probably get over it.
Walter White wasn’t happy when the family did an intervention, but he eventually came around to agreeing to get the cancer treatments.
I’m that one person in the U.S. who never watched Breaking Bad so walter white analogies don’t work with me. But I understand what you meant on your previous comment - I think XS’s friend will eventually see that he is being selfish even though he thinks he is not. My Marine made a good comment - that perhaps this guy is not as emotionally secure as he is claiming and it is more his issue with facing death and once his children know he can’t avoid it.