Chapter 196 Closure (ELION)

Chapter 196 Closure (ELION)
I read my medical test results, and they were damn awful. Stage three stomach cancer. I had always told myself I was fine, but my condition proved otherwise. I wasn't fine. I was a sick man. Six months ago, things hadn't been this bad, but I’d never taken my medication, skipped all my check-ups, and lived an incredibly unhealthy lifestyle. Honestly, I wasn't surprised the disease had spread so quickly. The only issue was the timing—it was truly the worst possible moment. My condition was worsening just as I had so many plans to win Calia back.
“Your condition is very serious. You need to undergo chemo, sir.”
I tore up the test results and crushed them under my shoe.
"Will chemotherapy cure me completely? Can you guarantee that, Dr. Aldric?"
He looked nervous.
"No, but it will slow down the cancer's growth."
"So, I’m still going to die. The treatment just delays the inevitable. Why should I go through agonizing chemo if I can't be cured? Bullshit."
"But..."
I shot him a sharp glare.
"Shut your mouth. I’m fine. I’m leaving this damn hospital right now."
I yanked the IV needle from the back of my hand and wiped the blood away with the blanket. I’d been stuck in the hospital for four days because of this damn illness. For the first two days, my stomach hurt like hell—that’s why I couldn't leave sooner. On the third day, Dr. Aldric insisted I undergo a full medical check-up. I couldn't leave and was forced to stay, even though the pain had subsided. But on this fourth day, I wasn't staying put. I had a lot of shit to do before I died.
"Get out, Doc. There’s no point standing there. I’m not doing chemo."
He sighed softly and walked out, his shoulders slumped. Jack opened the door just as the doctor was leaving my room.
"What happened? I could hear you shouting all the way down the hall."
"Nothing. I’m getting out of this damn hospital right now."
"Why the rush? You’re still sick."
He picked up the IV tube dangling on the floor, looking at it with concern.
"Boss, that treatment is for your own good."
"Shut your damn mouth. I’m not sick."
I put on my watch and walked toward the door.
"Tell Frans to wait in the lobby."
"Do you know why I was late?"
"I don't care. You didn't even have to come in at all."
"I ran into Calia in the elevator. She's back at work here starting today."
I stopped in the doorway when I heard him mention Calia.
"Are you fucking kidding me? She's in Amsterdam."
"Not anymore. The hospital director asked her to come back."
A sudden glimmer of hope crept into my heart. I might still have a chance to see her before I die.
"Did you tell her about my condition?"
"No. She was in a rush. We didn't get much of a chance to talk."
"Good. Don't ever tell her about my illness."
"Why? Maybe she could help you. She's a doctor."
"No. She can't know. I don't want to be pitied."
If I managed to win her heart and make her fall in love with me, it had to be because she genuinely felt something for me, not because she pitied my condition.
"Wait for me in the car. I'm going to see Calia in her office."
Since she was back in Chicago, I wasn't going to waste the chance to say hello. We had a lot of unfinished business from that day. If I’d been in good shape, I would have kicked down her apartment door and barged right in. But my condition simply didn't allow me to confront her at that moment.
"Mr. Starling," her assistant stammered, seeing me standing right in front of her.
"I want to see Calia. She's inside, right?"
The woman gulped nervously, looking hesitant for a moment.
She was wasting my damn time. I didn't need her permission to see Calia.
"Bella, didn't I tell you to refer my patients to Dr. Karen today?"
"I'm not your patient. And I want to see you."
She looked up from her phone, surprised and annoyed.
"Welcome back, Calia."
"You. How did you know I was back at the hospital today?"
I smirked.
"I've got eyes everywhere. And don't forget, this is Chicago. I run this place."
"You're damn arrogant."
I walked toward her. Damn, I’d missed seeing her behind that desk, wearing her lab coat with a stethoscope draped around her neck. Her scent hadn't changed a bit—fresh rose and citrus. I hadn't had many chances to breathe it in back in Amsterdam. Things had been too chaotic between us then.
"Why do you keep showing up? We don't have a relationship anymore."
"You think so?"
"Yes."
"And that little girl?"
"She belongs to me and Dimitry."
"I'll prove it with a DNA test."
"No need. It's obvious Lea is my daughter with Dimitry. You aren't to touch her—not even a fingernail."
I let out a mocking chuckle.
"I'm going to run a DNA test, with or without your consent."
I leaned my face close to hers.
"Why? Are you afraid the test might prove otherwise?"
She growled in anger. Her hand shot up to slap me, but I was faster. I grabbed her wrist and pinned it above her head.
"You damn bastard. You ruined my life four years ago. I won't let you ruin Lea's life."
"I'm not going to ruin your life or your daughter's. I just want to know the truth."
"I've already told you the truth. Lea isn't your daughter. She's mine," she stated firmly, her gaze piercing mine.
She was an angry mother. I truly admired the way she fought for her daughter’s life. She was nothing like Marry, who had abandoned me and traded me for money.
"Stay away from me and Lea."
"I won't mess up your life. Just give me a chance."
"You're out of chances."
"One more chance. I promise, this is the last one."
"No. Get out of my life."
I smirked. "I will. When the time comes, I’ll definitely leave your life. But for now, give me a chance to fix my past mistakes."
"Why do you want that? Why even bother?"
"Because I want closure. And it’s the only way."
She jerked her wrist free from my grasp, her expression wary.
"I know you, Elion. You’re a cunning man. The moment I give you a chance, you’ll destroy me just like you did four years ago. So, no. Let me live happily with Lea and Dimitry."
My blood boiled when she mentioned that motherfucker. I gripped her shoulders and shoved her against the wall.
"No. I won't let you live happily with that motherfucker as long as I'm alive. I swear to you, Calia."