Chapter 57: The Disease
1358words
I was just about to start my car after waiting a few moments in the driveway when Kristine ran out of the house, looking frantic.
"Robert!" she shouted.
I got out of the car to see what was wrong as Robert hurried over. 'What's going on?"
'Oh, thank goodness you're here!" she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me back inside. 'It's Scarlett—she's in pain again," she said, her voice trembling.
We rushed into Scarlett's room to find her unconscious on the floor, her mother beside her, weeping. 'Please, let's take her to the hospital."
I hurried over, scooped Scarlett up in my arms, and dashed out. I regretted everything I had said. Maybe I shouldn't have overreacted. I knew Scarlett was probably behind the company explosion—no one but her would have the nerve to bring down a legacy over a century old.
We arrived at the hospital within minutes. Kristine stayed back to care for her child while Scarlett was admitted. The doctor took blood samples and ran tests. Scarlett's mother sat beside her, and I stood nearby, feeling guilty.
'Why were you arguing with her, Nathan?" her mother asked, glancing back at me.
'I lost my temper. I'm sorry," I admitted.
'You're always sorry, Nathan, but you never control that temper of yours. Scarlett is sensitive; she doesn't need arguments right now. Look at what your overreaction has caused. She's in pain because of you."
'It won't happen again, Aunt. I promise."
'It better not. And if it does, you'll have me to deal with," she said, fixing me with a hard stare. I nodded.
I knew I needed help more than Scarlett. My anger had caused so much damage—I had even lost five unborn children because of it. Everleigh had hated that side of me but tolerated it. Scarlett, though, wouldn't take shit from me. She always had a comeback ready. Maybe that's why I loved her.
Later, the doctor called me to his office. 'What's wrong with her?" I asked, taking a seat across from him.
'According to the test results, she has stage A liver cancer," he said, setting down the file and looking at me seriously.
'What? How bad is it?"
'It's still in an early stage, so we recommend a liver transplant for effective treatment."
'Then let's do it as soon as possible," I said.
'We'll consult with an oncologist immediately," he replied, and I nodded, relieved.
When I returned to Scarlett's ward, she was awake.
'What is he doing here?" she snapped, sitting up.
'Scarlett, calm down. You need to keep your temper in check," her mother said as I moved closer.
'Just tell him to leave, and I'll be fine," she said, glaring at me.
'I need to tell you something," I said, sitting down as her mother stayed seated on the bed.
'I don't want to hear it, just like I don't want to see you. Leave!" she groaned.
'Can you listen, Scarlett? Right now, your health is more important than fighting with me."
'And what about my health needs so much attention?"
I took a deep breath. 'What I'm about to tell you is treatable, so don't freak out. The doctor says you have early-stage liver cancer and need a transplant as soon as possible."
'What?" her mother gasped, but Scarlett remained calm.
'Is that the shocking news?" she asked, tilting her head.
'You already knew?"
She ignored the question and started pulling out the IV from her hand, blood trickling from the spot. "I'm going home," she said and grabbed a cotton swab to wipe the blood away, tossing it in the trash.
'You need to stop, Scarlett," her mother said. 'Stop for once in your life."
'Why are you all concerned about my problem?" she asked with barely concealed anger.
'Because we care, Scarlett. You've been in pain for a while. If cancer is the cause, then you need to go through with the surgery," her mother insisted.
'My cancer, my problem. I don't need anyone telling me what to do. I'm not going under the knife for some cancer nonsense," she said, stepping down from the bed.
'Scarlett, please, don't do this to yourself. You have to stop," her mother pleaded, voice breaking.
'Let's go home, Mother, unless you would prefer to stay with this maniac," she said, glaring at me.
'Say something, Nathan!" her mother cried, turning to me.
'Are you seeing her, Aunt? Does she look submissive to you?" I asked, frustrated.
'You can't do shit, Nathan!" Scarlett sneered and headed toward the exit. 'Come if you're coming, Mother."
***
The next day, I was back at her door, pounding on it. 'Open the fucking door, Scarlett! What's gotten into you?" I yelled. I had been standing outside for over an hour, and she refused to answer. 'Scarlett!"
'Can you just leave me alone, Nathan?" she shouted from behind the door. 'Don't you have anything better to do?"
'You burned down my office, so I'm stuck here," I shot back.
'Oh, that. Pity the fire didn't take you down with it."
'Open the door, or I'll break it down."
'Give it a try, Nathan," she replied, her voice trailing off as she moved away from the door.
I finally enlisted her mother to help me unlock it, as she had last time.
'Don't fight with her, Nathan," she warned me.
'I won't, Aunt," I assured her with a small smile before stepping inside.
Scarlett, sitting on the couch and reading a novel, looked startled. 'Shit!" She cursed, glaring at me.
'Did I beat you to it?" I teased, settling beside her.
She didn't reply as I sat beside her. 'Interesting novel?" I asked, taking it from her.
'Nathan!" she groaned, glaring at me as I smirked.
'I love that sound," I said playfully. She bit her lip, clearly irritated. 'I don't want to argue. I just want to talk."
'We have nothing to talk about," she said, snatching the book back.
'When are you going back to work?" I asked. She ignored me. 'Maybe I should become your assistant."
She closed the book and gave me a hard stare. 'Can't you just leave me alone?" she asked, her voice softening.
'Not a chance. We're stuck together now," I said, sliding my arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. She gasped. 'I want to be here with you," I murmured, taking in the scent of her freshly shampooed hair. 'Lavender, right?"
'None of your business," she said, pushing me back, but I pulled her with me, so she ended up lying on top of me as I reclined on the couch.
'Should I make you my business now?" I chuckled.
'Let me go, Nathan," she muttered, trying to break free.
'Relax. I'm not going to hurt you," I whispered, gently resting her head on my chest. She stopped resisting and relaxed. 'You know, we could have a fresh start together," I said, running my fingers through her hair. "Did I tell you I built a beautiful bungalow for us?" I asked and she shook her head.
'I did. Just the way you would like it—a yard, a pool, a swing. We could live there, you know? You just need to have the surgery, and everything could be fine."
'I don't want to," she sobbed, her tears dampening my shirt. 'I feel like God is punishing me for everything I've done. Why should I even fight it?"
'You know the risks, don't you? Without surgery, the cancer will spread, and your time will be cut short," I said gently.
'You're so blunt," she sniffed. 'I don't have a reason to live, okay?"
'No reason? After all my daydreams about our life?" I teased, and she chuckled softly.
She lifted her head, meeting my gaze. 'Did you really think you could win me over?" she asked.
'Sometimes. You're stubborn and strong-willed. Maybe that's why I fell for you in the first place."
'Good to know. So stop trying to change my mind," she whispered, resting her head back on my chest.
'As you wish, just stay here." I replied, stroking her hair.
