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?"

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.

And now, after all that hard work, life had thrown this at her.

Grace laughed—a hollow, humorless sound. She laughed until the laughter faded into silence. Then she whispered, "How... do I survive?"

"As I mentioned, there are several treatment options," the doctor said, his voice steady and reassuring. "I’ll prescribe the necessary medication, and we’ll monitor the tumor closely..."

"I’ll take the pills, then," she said, nodding. "Thank you, doctor."

She stood up to leave, but before she could, the doctor also rose from his seat.

"Grace," he called, watching as she turned back. "Next time, bring your mother or someone to accompany you."

Grace forced a smile, but it never quite reached her eyes. "For what?"

Without waiting for an answer, she walked out.

She knew what the doctor meant. This kind of news was overwhelming—she needed a strong support system. But she couldn’t bear to tell her mother.

Her mother had already suffered enough.

It had taken Grace years to fully understand why her mother had endured years of abuse, why she had stayed with a monster who had hurt them both. It had taken even longer to forgive. They had fought to rebuild their lives, and now... things were finally good.

Her career had taken off. She could provide for her mother.

What would her mother feel if she learned her daughter might die before her?

She didn’t need that burden.

Back in her car, Grace sat in the driver’s seat for hours. Her phone rang repeatedly, but she ignored it. She just stared at the steering wheel, motionless.

After a while, she looked up at the rearview mirror and touched her cheek. It was dry.

"Hah..." she huffed faintly. Not even tears? "It’s... going to be alright."

A subtle smile formed on her lips, though helplessness gleamed in her eyes. She nodded at herself, convincing herself to believe it.

She had survived a life of terror under the hands of a monster.

She wouldn’t let this defeat her.

Ring... Ring...

Slowly, Grace glanced at her phone on the passenger seat. She picked it up, furrowing her brows when she saw Penny’s name on the screen.

"Penny?" she answered. "What’s wrong?"

"Grace, is asking me what’s wrong, a requirement every time I call?"

A soft chuckle escaped Grace as she leaned back. "I’m asking as your lawyer."

"Haha. Can’t I just say I miss you?"

"You do?"

"Of course!" Penny cheered, unaware of the subtle smile that appeared on Grace’s face. "Anyway... are you okay?"

"Hmm?"

"You sound... sad," Penny noted. "Are you alright?"

Grace pressed her lips together, biting the inside of her cheek.

"I am sad," she admitted.

"Huh? Why? What happened?"

"I watched a drama where the female protagonist died of cancer," she said. "She was given a second chance to go back in time, but instead of saving herself, she saved the villain so he wouldn’t become one. She spent her second life helping and saving others, but in the end... she still couldn’t save herself."

Silence.

Penny’s breath hitched slightly. "I didn’t know you watched dramas."

"Haha." Grace let out a small laugh. "It made me a little sad, but... thank you for noticing."

’Even though I can’t tell you the truth—because I know you’d worry—thank you for knowing I needed someone to talk to.’

"Well, that’s depressing. This is why I don’t like sad endings," Penny huffed. "Grace, don’t watch sad stuff, okay?"

"Mhm."

"Anyway, why are you calling?" Grace asked. "Surely, it’s not just because you miss me."

"Hey, I do miss you!" Penny pouted before her tone brightened. "But also—I’m coming home!"

"Huh?"

"Thanks to you and Yugi, I can move my headquarters to Anteca ahead of schedule!" Penny announced excitedly. "I’ll be flying in next month or two. So... see you soon?"

Grace was silent for a moment before nodding with a smile. "That’s good to hear, Penny. I’ll see you then."

Penny lingered on the call, chatting with Grace about random things before finally saying goodbye.

As soon as the call ended, Grace dropped her phone onto the passenger seat and stared at it.

"This is bad," she whispered. "She’s going to find out... if I don’t get myself together."