Chapter 20

The moment I saw the report, it felt as though my world went dark. Why did this have to happen at this moment? What the doctor had first suspected was now confirmed. It was the mid-stage of stomach cancer. Though I felt a pang of unwillingness, I could only force myself to accept the diagnosis. We rarely had a choice when it came to life and death. It had always been unstoppable. At the thought of Celine lying in bed, I steeled myself and tried to act calm. "Doctor, how much time do I have left?" The doctor glanced at the report. "I strongly recommend starting treatment as soon as possible. You'll also need to be mindful of your diet." Then, he studied the scans more closely. "It's hard to say, but early treatment increases the chances of recovery." I looked up at him and asked, "Can I ask… what's the estimated cost of the treatment?" The doctor eyed me. "If I'm not mistaken, is your mother hospitalized here as well?" I nodded. The doctor sighed and shook his head gently. "The