The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 124: Chapter 124

The doctor had seen plenty of families respond the same way. Having been a doctor for years, he knew well enough that life and death were inevitable. As much as it hurt, there was simply no changing fate.
Keith asked, "Isn't there any kind of conservative treatment?"
The doctor let out a sigh. "There is, technically, but it's not a cure. A new drug from overseas can slow the disease's progression, but it only prolongs life. It's incredibly expensive, though, so..."
To simply put it, it was just buying time with money. In most cases, doctors didn't recommend that route, and many families simply couldn't afford it.
"Fine. Use the drug," Keith said. "Write up the order, and I'll go pay."
The doctor looked stunned for a moment, but eventually wrote up the prescription. Just as he was about to offer some words of comfort, Keith took the slip and left without saying a word.
The doctor adjusted his glasses and shook his head, thinking, 'What a strange guy...'
And for some reason, he distinctly remembered the patient's relative being a young woman.
She had left quite an impression, not just because she was the one who usually came, but also because she was strikingly pretty. As for this man, it seemed to be his first time here.
A few days later, Serena came by as usual to pay Tiana's hospital fees, only to be told they had already been covered. She was instantly confused, and worried it might be a system error, she quickly went to find the attending doctor.
The doctor said, "It was a young man who came in last time to settle the bill. I remember thinking it was odd, since you were always the one who handled it." He still had a clear impression of Keith.
Hearing that, Serena felt even more puzzled. She wondered, 'Who paid Ms. Brown's medical fees?'
The doctor added, "That man also authorized the most advanced and expensive medication we have for the patient in 322. She has been receiving the treatment these past few days, and her vitals have stabilized."
Serena walked out of the doctor's office, still carrying those unanswered questions, and headed back to Tiana's hospital room. Once inside, she told her everything.
"Has anyone visited you lately?" Serena asked.
Tiana looked puzzled, too. She shook her head and replied with a helpless smile, "Other than you, the others just call every now and then, which is already more than I can ask for."
They still hadn't figured out who had paid the bills. But now that Tiana was receiving the best medication and her hospital expenses were covered for the next three months, Serena couldn't help but feel a wave of relief.
Serena said, "It was probably one of the kids who left the orphanage years ago and came back to help pay your bills." After thinking it through, that seemed like the most reasonable explanation.
She truly believed Tiana had done so much good in her life, and she truly deserved this kindness in return.
"Maybe," Tiana murmured. "If I ever find out who it was, I have to thank them in person." She couldn't guess who it might be, so she simply tucked the thought away in her heart.
The medicine wasn't cheap, and whoever had paid had covered three full months up front.
For most people, that kind of money would be years' worth of salary. Maybe the person who paid didn't mind the cost, but Tiana still couldn't accept it without feeling a weight in her chest.
"I'll keep an eye out too," Serena said gently.
She found it odd that someone would spend that much money and still not come by to see Tiana, even once.
Still, Serena couldn't figure it out. She chatted with Tiana a while longer and saw for herself that her condition had indeed improved, just as the doctor had said. Clearly, the medicine was worth its price.
After checking the time, Serena got to her feet. "I should get going. I've got work to finish up. I'll visit again next time, okay?"
Tiana nodded quickly. "I know you've got a lot going on. If you don't have time, you don't have to come so often. I'm perfectly happy here in the hospital, watching TV and looking after my plants."
She had spent her whole life taking care of children. Now that she was older, she didn't want to become someone who needed to be looked after. All she hoped for was that the children could grow up healthy and happy.
After heading downstairs, Serena was waiting outside for a ride when she suddenly spotted a familiar figure sitting by the window in a nearby fast-food restaurant.
She immediately frowned, thinking, 'Wait, is that Tara?'
Both times Serena had run into Tara, she had been left with a bad impression.
She hadn't expected to bump into Tara here, so she instinctively shifted her position, hoping she wouldn't notice her. The last thing she wanted was to get dragged into another mess.
But the moment Serena moved, she caught sight of a child sitting across from Tara. It was Alyssa.
Almost immediately, Serena's heart dropped to her stomach, but she went right over without thinking twice.
Tara was in the middle of handing a burger to Alyssa, trying to sound warm and cheerful. "Here, have this, Alyssa. It's really tasty. I know I've been a lousy mom and never took you out to eat before."
That was the scene Serena walked into when she entered the fast-food restaurant. Her face darkened as she quickly stepped forward, shielding Alyssa behind her. "Alyssa has health issues, Ms. Corwin. Don't just give her things to eat."
Alyssa hadn't intended to eat it anyway. She had been at preschool when Tara suddenly showed up and took her away.
Tara had claimed to be Alyssa's mother and even presented a paternity test. The teacher hadn't known what else to do and had reluctantly handed Alyssa over.
Hearing how firm Serena sounded, Tara rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, please. Every kid eats junk food growing up. Alyssa is only this delicate because she has been spoiled rotten.
"Besides, I'm her mother. You'd do well to stay out of it. What, do you think buttering her up is going to help you marry Keith? You should drop that fantasy before it embarrasses you."
When no one else was around, Tara didn't even bother pretending.
But Serena didn't look the least bit upset by her words. Calmly, she replied, "That has never been my intention. Besides, if anyone is trying to use Alyssa to get close to Keith, it's certainly not me."
Her tone remained steady and even, but to Tara, it sounded unbearably sharp.
Tara scoffed, "Save it. You're just jealous that I'm Alyssa's biological mother. Dream on if you think you can climb your way up through her."
With that, she stood abruptly and reached for Alyssa, who had been hiding behind Serena. She was surprisingly strong, startling both Serena and Alyssa.
Alyssa burst into tears from the shock. Serena's heart broke for her, and she found it impossible to understand how Tara could treat her own child like that.
Serena then pulled Alyssa into a protective embrace, making sure Tara couldn't touch her.
Tara's eyes were blazing red, and she shouted hysterically at Serena, "That's my daughter. I can do whatever I want with her!"
The restaurant staff stood frozen, too stunned to decide whether they should intervene.