I turned to look at the doctor and let out a sigh. “Doctor, other than bone marrow transplant, is there any other method?”
The man shook his head. “Our technology isn’t that advanced now, so there’s no alternative. Besides, the success rate of a bone marrow transplant is only around eighty percent, not one hundred percent. The child’s leukemia is likely an inherited disease, which means either her father or mother carries the gene of leukemia.”
“No! That’s impossible!” Sasha’s mother shouted in a croaky voice. “Both my husband and I have no blood disease, and the same goes for my daughter. How can Renee get it?”
The doctor’s forehead puckered. “It could be her father who has the gene. Nevertheless, the incidence rate of this disease is low. Even if one carries the gene, the disease won’t manifest unless there’re external triggers.”
Immediately, the woman fell silent. I continued talking to the doctor to get a better understanding of the child’s condition.
Stepping out of the doctor’s office, Sasha’s mother suddenly knelt before me, sobbing while pleading, “Mrs. Fuller, I beg you. Please help my granddaughter. Now that Sasha has passed away, Renee is our only hope now. She’s only four and has never seen the outside world before. Life has been cruel to her. Since birth, Renne has had no father, and her mother was always busy working. Despite her age, we have not sent her to a kindergarten, because we couldn’t afford it. Why does she have to face such a hardship when she’s still an innocent little girl? Mrs. Fuller, please have mercy on her. I’m willing to do anything to repay you. Please!”
Her sudden action befuddled me. I reached out to hold her up, but she refused to stand up. The corridor was packed with passers-by. Having no other choice, I squatted on the floor and looked at the woman. “Mrs. Brooks, I truly sympathize with you. I’ll definitely help you if I can. So please, don’t do this.”
The woman’s face was already drenched in tears as she stared at me and said, “Please, Mrs. Fuller. We don’t have a job. After Sasha’s gone, our financial support was cut off. That’s why we had no choice but to stay put at Fuller Corporation day in and night out to ask for compensation. We need money to survive.”
I nodded at her. My heart was filled with compassion for the family. Bad luck often haunts the unfortunates. Now that their granddaughter was diagnosed with a critical disease, their lives would only get even harder.
After paying Renee’s operation and medical fees, Ashton called and asked what time I would be home.
After the chaotic day, I was worn out. The only thing I wanted to do was to see him and nestle myself in his warm embrace.
After hanging up, I drove away from the hospital and headed home straight away since Ashton was already home.
Back at the villa.
There was an unobtrusive black Maybach parked in the yard when I arrived home. I pulled over next to it and when I walked into the living room, I saw Ashton reading on the couch.
Hearing the sound of me coming in, he glanced up at me. The corner of his lips quirked up. “You’re home.”
I nodded in response. Sauntering over to the couch, I sat by his side and wrapped my arms around him. “Have you solved the issue in the office? Why aren’t you resting in the bedroom?”
He held me in his arms with a smile on his face. “You’ve helped me settle the issue so well. It’s only fair that I come home and spend some time with you.”
Tilting my body to lean against his shoulder, I sighed lightly. “Ashton, has the police done investigating Sasha’s case?”
He pursed his lips slightly. “What’s wrong?”
I thought about it for a while before I decided to tell him anyway. “Sasha’s daughter has been diagnosed with leukemia today. I know I have to deal with it rationally. After all, no one can escape sickness and death. However, I’ve met them when they’re in need of help. I’ll feel so bad if I choose to turn a blind eye to them.”
“Mmm.” The man gazed at me calmly. “So what are you planning to do?”
I shook my head, feeling lost while staring at him. “I don’t know what to do. That’s why I’m asking for your opinions. What do you think I should do?”
He gave it some thought before replying solemnly, “I think you should help them, but treating leukemia is like throwing money down a bottomless pit. There’s no guarantee that it could be cured.”
I nodded in agreement. I know that money didn’t grow on trees. Moreover, Fuller Corporation was dealing with a series of scandals, which caused the company to suffer heavy losses. Sasha’s death was a crushing blow to the company, whether it was a suicide or an accident. According to the law, once Fuller Corporation compensated them, the family would have nothing to do with the company anymore.
Breathing out a sigh, I stood up and looked at him. “Okay, let’s drop the subject. What do you want to eat? I’ll cook you a delicious meal tonight.”
He flashed me a smile. “Anything’s fine!”
He paused for a moment and asked, “Can you come with me to Moranta in mid-October?”
Moranta?
I was puzzled. “Why? Did something happened?”
He nodded. “Yeah. One of my Grandpa’s comrades-in-arms is at death’s door. We have to make a trip there on behalf of my Grandpa.”
