Chapter 17 — I Return From The Deep

"But it's not because she jumped off the building. It's because no matter what happens to her—Miss Trieu can't come back to life, I can't get my 4 years of youth back, and my illness can't be cured."

“Nothing can satisfy me.”

He stood there, his lips moving a few times. Couldn't say a word. The anger in his eyes faded little by little. Instead there is some kind of—— What is it? Confused. Innocent. Along with an extreme fear that slowly rose, it was impossible to resist.

“You said... it can't be cured?”

His voice changed completely. No more questioning. Which becomes weak.

"What do you mean? What is your illness... exactly?"

I looked at him. Suddenly felt extremely tired. Really tired. Don't want to say any more words to him.

“Go away.”

Turn around. Facing the dusty window again.

“Nien So——”

“Go.”

He didn't speak anymore. Standing there frozen in place for a long time. I didn't look back. I could only hear his breathing becoming increasingly heavy and broken. Then there was a deep, extremely suppressed sound——like the groan of an animal when its tail is kicked. Footstep. Far away. The door is closed gently. I clung to the window sill and slowly sat down. The body is completely exhausted. Breathe in big gulps. Started coughing again. This time the cough was extremely intense. Blood gushed out from his mouth little by little. Soaked into the motel's gray and white carpet. Like a flower blooming to its fullest. I don't know how long I passed out. When I woke up, I was in the hospital. The ceiling is pure white. Strong smell of disinfectant. The back of the hand is holding an infusion needle. Luc Tham sat in a chair next to the bed, folded his arms across his chest, and closed his eyes. Hearing me move, he opened his eyes.

“I'm awake.”

“What should I do…”

"The motel owner heard the noise and went to look. Saw her falling to the floor, bleeding. Call 115."

He stood up, poured a glass of water and gave it to me.

“The doctor said her condition could not last any longer. The tumor was progressing faster than expected. If you want to cure it, there is only one treatment left.”

I received the glass of water, my hands shaking. “What regimen?”

“Targeted drugs combined with immunotherapy. Combination regimen. There is a certain chance of controlling tumor growth.”

“What are the chances?”

“30%.”

“What is the cost?”

He glanced at me. Don't say. This reaction is an answer in itself. Expensive. Extremely expensive. I can't pay. I put the glass of water on the bedside table. "Leave."

“Don't quit.” His voice suddenly lowered. “Money is not an issue.”

“Luc Tham——”

“I said it's not a problem.” He interrupted me, his tone not allowing for refusal. "You've already taken care of Trieu Dung's affairs. Now it's your turn."

I looked at him. His expression was very serious, without even a hint of joking.

“Why?” This is the second time I asked you this question.

He lowered his eyes and was silent for a few seconds. Then softly let out a sentence.

"Because Tieu Ho went to prison and had stomach cancer. When it was discovered, it was already in the final stage."

My body stiffens.

"It passed away last year. I didn't have time to save it."

Luc Tham raised his head and looked out the window. The afternoon sunlight illuminated half of his face, leaving the other half in darkness.

“So about your business, I don't want to miss it again.”

Prevention of sinking diseases in silence. There are birds singing outside the door. I bowed my head. The bridge of the nose is stinging. But don't cry. Just nodded. "Okay. I'll fix it."

—

【Chapter 7】 The treatment begins. Combination regimen of targeted drugs and immunotherapy. Go to the hospital once a week, receive fluids and take medicine. The side effects are extremely terrible. Nausea, vomiting, body aches, bone and joint fatigue. Hair falls out in large patches.