Chapter 174
Seeing the startled look on her face, Keith actually took the time to explain. “You looked so weak I thought you could use a shoulder to lean on. Don’t read too much into it p>
Even so, his careful gesture had still startled her. He was pushing too fast.
She pressed her lips into a faint smile. “I wasn’t overthinking it. Thanks for the offer, Keith, but I’m fine now p>
She really hadn’t thought anything of it–she simply resisted physical contact these days, probably because she was still in a guarded state.
Keith handed her the oatmeal he’d brought earlier. “You didn’t have breakfast this morning. You must be hungry by now. Have some to warm your stomach p>
She accepted it, thanked him, and ate slowly, forcing it down despite the lingering discomfort.
The test results came out half an hour later. When she handed the report to Peter, he frowned immediately.
As the saying went–if a doctor could still smile, it wasn’t too bad. But a frown meant trouble, and a sigh meant
worse.
Seeing that deep crease in his brow, Autumn’s heart climbed into her throat.
Had the cancer cells already started spreading?
If so, would it mean chemotherapy and surgery?
The thought alone made her palms clammy and her pulse race.
Keith suddenly took her hand, feeling the dampness in her palm.
He looked down at her. “Nervous p>
This time, she didn’t pull away.
She nodded. How could she not be nervous, with Peter frowning at the report like that?
Sensing no resistance, Keith gave her hand a light squeeze, his gaze turning even darker, steadier.
“Don’t be afraid. Peter’s one of the best in this field. He’ll take care of you p>
She nodded. His reassurance was like a steadying weight in her chest, easing the tight coil of fear inside her.
The tension in her body began to loosen.
When Peter finished reading the report, his expression stayed grave as he looked at her.
“What have you been exposed to these past few weeks? How could it have spread so quickly in just a month p>
The young woman in front of him was barely in her early twenties, yet her stomach cancer had already progressed dangerously close to the late stage.
1/2
Hearing this, Autumn lowered her head, a tight prickle running over her scalp.
She had suspected her condition hadn’t improved, but she hadn’t expected it to have spread.
In a quiet voice, she explained, “I’m sorry, Dr. Mills. I’ve been around some people and situations lately that upset me. I promise I’ll keep my distance from them from now on p>
This past month had been nothing but stumbles and strain, with plenty she couldn’t make sense of–enough to worsen her illness.
Never again. If she wanted to live longer, she had to cut those people out of her life.
Peter didn’t respond to her explanation.
Instead, his gaze shifted to Keith. “Is this how you take care of your girlfriend? She’s this sick, and you still let her get upset? That’s unacceptable.
“Her condition is serious–leaning toward the late stage. If it keeps going like this, she’ll be facing chemotherapy and surgery p>
Adjusting his reading glasses, he continued, “My advice is to change her medication for now, take a more conservative approach, and come back for regular check–ups. And keep her mood steady.
“Even the best medicine is only an aid. The most important thing is a healthy mindset. Do you understand me p>
Keith met his accusing stare without flinching, his voice tinged with apology. “Thank you for the reminder, Dr. I won’t let her get upset again and make things worse p>