The CEO Gets What He Wants

Chapter 553 A Jumbled Mess

Afraid that Avery would notice her condition, Alina hastily reached out and pinched her nose to stop the blood from continue dripping down. At the same time, she quickly rinsed the blood off the spatula with tap water.
Afraid that Avery would notice her condition, Alina hastily reached out and pinched her nose to stop the blood from continue dripping down. At the same time, she quickly rinsed the blood off the spatula with tap water.

Her movements were exceedingly swift and practiced. It was as though she was already accustomed to doing them.

Inwardly, she rejoiced over her luck. Fortunately, not only did the blood miss getting into the food, but I'm also having my back to Avery, so she didn't notice what happened!

In the next instant, she could not help casting her mind back to her doctor's advice.

“Your immune system is growing increasingly weaker now, and you need to be admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy as soon as possible, Ms. Rumpley. If you continue delaying things, the damage to your body will only be amplified. At that time, your life will be in danger.”

“I don't want to undergo chemotherapy, doctor. Is there any conservative treatment instead? I don't mind taking medicine. No matter the medicine, it's fine as long as it can keep me alive.” That was the question Alina put forth with much difficulty back then.

She knew that the side effects of chemotherapy were not limited to dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and throwing up. On top of that, she would lose her beautiful black hair and even turn horrifyingly gaunt and shriveled.

All her life, she had been pursuing beauty and perfection. Hence, she would rather die than see herself become so unsightly.

“Ms. Rumpley, at present, the country's most effective ways of treating cancer are surgery and chemotherapy. Surgery is the most basic method, but it's only suitable for the treatment of early-stage tumors. As for your advanced-stage cancer, it won't be of much help. If you persist in undergoing chemotherapy after surgery, you'll still have a chance of survival. Honestly speaking, other conservative treatment methods aren't suitable for your current condition,” the doctor explained in detail without keeping anything from her.

Unwilling to admit defeat, Alina asked, “Is my condition hereditary, doctor? My brother died of cancer last year, and I've also been diagnosed with the same disease. Is this passed down through the family?”

“The incidence rate is indeed higher among families with a cancer patient than the average person, but the so-called inherited tumor is actually the inborn susceptibility to develop tumors, coupled with negative environmental factors. That's the reason behind cancer. Generally speaking, the more common hereditary ones include breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and the like. If a person's immediate family member suffers from any of the aforementioned cancers, then the individual's chances of contracting cancer are several times higher than that of the average person,” the doctor answered solemnly.

When Alina heard that, her nose stung sharply.

Leonardo and I are immediate family members, and we were both unluckily diagnosed with cancer. Is that genetic or a mere coincidence? If it's really a genetic issue, what about Ery? She's Leonardo's biological daughter. Then, are her chances of contracting cancer also higher than the average person's?

Her gaze fell on Avery, who was helping her cook in the kitchen while a few months along in her pregnancy. Sorrow washed over her like a tidal wave, inundating her in desolation.

With her eyes on her niece, she proposed, “Ery, I'll accompany you to the hospital when you're free for a full-body checkup, okay?”

Mistakenly assuming that her aunt was worried about the baby she was carrying, Avery muttered, “I visit the hospital for prenatal checkups regularly, Aunt Alina. The doctor said the baby and I are both healthy, so you don't need to worry.”

At that, Alina let out a long exhale. Enduring her physical discomfort, she started clarifying the reason for requesting that Avery have a checkup. “When I last went to the hospital for a checkup, Ery, the doctor told me that if one's immediate family member suffers from cancer, the individual is several times more likely to inherit the disease compared to the average person. Your father died of cancer, and I've also been diagnosed with a similar malady. You're his only biological daughter, so I'm afraid that... that...”

Verily, she could not bring herself to finish her utterance.

Unfortunately, Avery countered blithely, “I don't think so, Aunt Alina. In my opinion, it's only a coincidence that you and Dad contracted cancer. Besides, I know my health best. Ever since young, I've only ever had a fever or cold at most.”

This time, however, Alina was decidedly firm. Despite her usual gentleness, she was very much adamant then. “No, you must follow me to the hospital for a checkup. Regardless of the test results, I'll only be able to rest easy after ascertaining that you're in perfect health. Leonardo has already passed away, and I have no idea how much longer I have now that I'm suffering from cancer. If anything happens to me, you'll be the only one left to take care of your grandfather.”

It was the first time Avery had seen her usually invincible aunt revealing such a fragile side to her. That had her abruptly realizing the gravity of the matter.

Tossing the half-washed plate into the sink, she hugged Alina without even bothering to wipe her hands.

I've always known that Aunt Alina is sick. She told me about it when she first sought me out. But she'd always been optimistic about it, taking medicine to keep her condition from worsening. What's with this out of the blue?

Tears almost escaped her eyes. “Aunt Alina, Dad has passed away, and Grandpa has already experienced the pain of losing a child once. He aged overnight... Can you really bear to put him through such agony again, Aunt Alina? He's already up in years, and you two are my only family left in the Rumpley family. Both of you are my backers, the only people I can depend upon. I'm going to sit for the Certified Professional Constructor exam tomorrow, so I don't have time to go for a checkup. I promise to listen to you and follow you to the hospital for a checkup during the weekend break. But you must also promise to stay strong and continue living for our sake. Okay?”

Tears almost escaped her eyes. “Aunt Alina, Dad has passed away, and Grandpa has already experienced the pain of losing a child once. He aged overnight... Can you really bear to put him through such agony again, Aunt Alina? He's already up in years, and you two are my only family left in the Rumpley family. Both of you are my backers, the only people I can depend upon. I'm going to sit for the Certified Professional Constructor exam tomorrow, so I don't have time to go for a checkup. I promise to listen to you and follow you to the hospital for a checkup during the weekend break. But you must also promise to stay strong and continue living for our sake. Okay?”

She had never known maternal love since childhood, lacking protection from a female character. Thus, her aunt's love for her suffused her with warmth.