Chapter 865
“When we suspect this type of disease, the likelihood is usually around seventy to eighty percent. But medical advancements have come a long way, and the child can have a bone marrow transplant. Try not to lose hope.” She gave Dalores’ shoulder a comforting squeeze before leaving to arrange Emerson’s biopsy.
The few people in the waiting area had overheard everything, casting sympathetic glances toward Dalores.
Emerson, nestled in Eileen’s arms, whimpered softly, his tiny hands reaching for his mother’s clothes.
The sound of Emerson seemed to pull Dalores back from the brink. She wiped her eyes and took her son in her arms, her voice barely above a whisper. “It can’t be. This is Emerson’s first real illness. How could it possibly be leukemia? The doctor said before it was an infection when he had that fever.”
Tears spilled down Dalores’ cheeks. Eileen fetched some tissues from the nurse’s station before returning.
“The success rates for treating leukemia have improved dramatically. Even if it is the case, you don’t need to worry as much.”
Dalores’ voice cracked with anguish. “How can I not? No matter how high the odds, there’s always a chance of relapse, and my baby will suffer so much. Why is this happening to us? I know I made mistakes with Julio before, but why punish my innocent Emerson?”
She slid from the chair to the floor, cradling Emerson and sobbing uncontrollably. The people nearby murmured words of comfort, some even wiping away tears of their own. The scene transported Eileen back to when Ruby had been…
Your escape begins at gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs․com
At that time, it had been Ruby, embracing Bailee and herself, her voice raw with desperation as she pleaded with the nurse, “I have two children. I can’t die. Please, find a way to save me.”
Those words had been born from a primal will to survive.
The medical staff had offered hope, saying that even though there wasn’t a cure, Ruby could extend her life with treatment, which required a lot of money.
Ruby had immediately abandoned the idea of treatment and prepared to leave the hospital with Bailee and Eileen right then.
Back then, Eileen’s only thought had been finding money for Ruby’s treatment. Now, financial concerns were no longer an issue. Yet, faced with Dalores’ anguish, Eileen found herself at a loss for words of comfort.
The nurse returned, explaining that due to Emerson’s young age, they needed time to prepare for the bone marrow extraction. She scheduled an appointment for eight o’clock the next morning, noting that the results could take one to three days.
In the meantime, the doctor prescribed medication to help manage Emerson’s fever.
With Raymond remaining at the hospital for the paternity test results, Eileen drove Dalores home. “If you need financial help for the treatment, I—”
“He hasn’t even been diagnosed yet!” Dalores’ sudden outburst startled Emerson from his sleep. She quickly held him, pressing her forehead against his as she wept.
Eileen’s voice softened with understanding. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning for Emerson’s test.”
In Alverton, Dalores had no friends. She was just here as a pawn.