When Noreen finally found Dr. Larson Quigley, he was just examining Rosalind’s


    scans.


    As soon as he learned she was the patient’s daughter, he began exining the results without dy.


    “Do you see this shadow here?” Larson pointed to a dark spot on the scan. “That’s the tumor. Its location is quite problematic–the surgery would be extremely challenging andes with significant risks.”


    A sinking feeling gripped Noreen, dread settling heavy in her chest.


    “We still don’t know whether the tumor is benign or malignant. We’ll need to wait for the biopsy results tomorrow before we can say for certain. This is where things stand right now, so you need to prepare yourself for any oue.”


    Larson kept his exnation clear and to the point.


    “Dr. Quigley, if-” Noreen’s voice faltered, “I mean, if it turns out to be malignant, what then?”


    Even the strongest, calmest person can feel powerless in the face of life and death. Larson’s brow furrowed. “Let’s set aside whether it’s benign or malignant for a moment. Even if it’s benign, removing a tumor in this location is extremely difficult. And with your mother’s underlying health issues… Given our current resources, I’m afraid-”


    He adjusted his sses, an apologetic look on his face.


    Noreen felt as if a boulder was crushing her chest–she could hardly breathe.


    Desperation edged her voice. “What about other hospitals?”


    Larson replied, “Don’t panic just yet. In the past, I would have rmended transferring to one of the country’s leading cancer centers. But there’s another opportunity now, though it might be a bitplicated.”


    “I don’t care howplicated!” Noreen blurted out. She would do anything to save her mother.


    “Tomorrow, an international team of specialists will be visiting our hospital. Among them are some of the world’s top experts in this field. If your mother’s case is selected as one of their research topics, surgery should be much more promising.”


    12.02


    Larson’s words sparked a flicker of hope in Noreen. “How can we make sure she’s chosen as a case study?”


    “That’s really a matter of luck,” Larson admitted. “You have to understand, these kinds of top–tier resources are highly sought after. Competition is fierce.”


    Noreen knew he was telling the truth.


    She was grateful for Larson’s honesty. If she wanted to secure this chance for her mother, she’d have to be thoroughly prepared.


    As Noreen left, a colleague from Larson’s department walked in.


    ncing at the scans on the lightbox, the colleague remarked, “What are the odds? Two patients in a row with tumors in almost the exact same spot.”


    Larson nodded. “First time I’ve seen it myself. But Yvonne Laurent’s situation is much better than Rosalind’s–her tumor is benign, and she doesn’t have any underlying conditions. Her surgery has a much higher chance of sess.”


    His colleaguepared the two scans, then joked, “If it were me, I’d pick the easier case any day. Higher chance of a good oue, after all. These visiting specialists want impressive results to pad their credentials, you know?”


    The words weren’t kind, but they reflected reality. Larson couldn’t argue.


    The colleague put Rosalind’s scan back on the desk, giving Larson a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “You’ll have to make your own call.”


    Meanwhile, in the patient ward-


    Forrest was gently coaxing Yvonne to drink some herbal tonic.


    Illness had left Yvonne pale and without much appetite, but Forrest patiently encouraged her until she finished a whole bowl.


    When Yvonne said she wanted some fresh air, Forrest wheeled her out into the


    hallway.


    A little distance behind them, Bianca and Seth followed.


    “My dad and mom–do you think they love each other?” Bianca broke the silence, trying <i>to </i>make conversation.


    <i>??? </i>