Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1274: I am sad

[FLASHBACK]

A year ago...

"Am I..." Grace kept her eyes down, her mouth slightly open as she struggled to form the words. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to the person across the desk. "...

dying?" freewebnovel.com

The doctor seated across from her sighed. "Let's not jump to the worst-case scenario-"

"So, the worst-case scenario is me dying?" she interrupted. "I'm dying?"

"It's a good thing we caught the tumor early, Grace," the doctor responded solemnly, clasping his hands together. "There are a few treatment options."

"You mean chemotherapy?"

"Not necessarily," he replied gently, understanding how overwhelming this news must be for her. "We can try immunotherapy first. Unlike chemotherapy..."

The doctor patiently explained everything-her diagnosis, the available treatments, and the nature of the cancer they had detected. Grace had been experiencing pain for months, but had ignored it. Only when she was rushed to the emergency room did she finally learn what was wrong.

Still...

"How long?" she asked once the doctor had finished his explanation. "What's my survival rate?"

"This type of cancer typically has a 61.1 percent five-year survival rate," he said. "Grace, I know this is frightening, but medical advancements have made a huge difference. Researchers are even seeing promising results from a new drug that could cure certain cancers. There are several treatment options that may shrink or even eliminate the tumor without surgery."

Grace didn't respond-not because she didn't want to, but because she had expected bad news, just not this bad.

Cancer?

She was only thirty.

How did this happen? Was it her lifestyle? She couldn't deny that she had been neglecting her health since becoming a scholar student. She had pushed herself relentlessly, studying day and night to maintain her grades, skipping meals, sacrificing sleep. She had wanted to graduate early, find a job, and finally tell her mother to retire from work.

But even after graduating, the struggle continued. Having a license didn't mean instant success; she had spent years handling minor tasks at a law firm, working long hours. If Penny hadn't reached out to her, she knew she would still be stuck dealing with small cases.

hard work, life had thrown

laughed a hollow, humorless sound. She laughed until the laughter faded into silence. Then she whispered,

mentioned, there are several treatment options," the doctor said, his voice steady and reassuring. "I'll prescribe the

then," she said,

up to leave, but before she could, the doctor also rose

turned back. "Next time, bring your

never quite reached

waiting for an

knew what the doctor meant. This kind of news was overwhelming-she needed a strong support

had already

years to fully understand why her mother had endured years of abuse, why she had stayed with a monster who

taken off. She could provide for her

if she learned her daughter might die before

didn't need

Grace sat in the driver's seat for hours. Her phone rang repeatedly, but she ignored it. She

she looked up at the rearview

faintly. Not even tears? "It's... going

formed on her lips, though helplessness gleamed in her

at herself, convincing herself

survived a life of terror under the hands

wouldn't let

Ring... Ring...

Grace glanced

up,

saw

she answered. "What's

wrong, a

as she leaned back.

just say I miss

"You do?"

Penny cheered, unaware of the

"Anyway... are you

"Hmm?"

Penny