A Healer’s Journey (Finnegan and Nuthana)

Chapter 22 I Will Not Treat It

“Quiana, you have to save Max! He’s your only nephew.”

“What happened, Melinda?”

The following morning, Finnegan had just finished Desmond’s treatment when he heard his aunt, Melinda Cork, crying in their courtyard.

“I’ll go

take a look, Dad,” he said before stepping out of the house, only to see Melinda. clutching Quiana’s hands in sheer desperation and agony.

Upon seeing Finnegan, Melinda let go of her sister-in-law and rushed toward him, seemingly wanting to grab his hand.

Thankfully, Finnegan managed to dodge her in time. I think I know what she’s so upset about… Max must’ve been diagnosed with leukemia.

“Finny, you have to save Max!”

“What’s wrong with Max, Aunt Melinda?” Finnegan replied, feigning ignorance.

Melinda knew Finnegan was merely putting on an act, but given that she needed his help, how could she expose him? “After what you said yesterday, we immediately sent Max for a check-up. It turns out he really does have leukemia, and we’ve already hospitalized him.”

Kind-hearted as usual, Quiana grew increasingly worried. “What? So it’s true that Max has leukemia? What should we do now, then?”

“The doctor said Max requires a bone marrow transplant, and a family donor would most. likely give the best outcome,” Adrian blurted out, looking nothing like his usual quiet and reserved self. “Sadly, Mel, Helen, and I aren’t compatible donors, so we’re turning to you, Finny, and Rhia for help.”

“Please help us,” Melinda begged as she wiped away her tears. “We’d be able to save a lot of money if we can find a family donor.”

Just as Quiana was about to agree, Finnegan pulled her back and fixed his aunt with a cold. stare. “What gives you the right?”

cousin, for goodness’

at her son angrily. “How can you say that?”

unfazed. “Mom, have you forgotten how they treated us? When

1/4

his family ignored. everything we had done for them and turned their backs on us. They were so eager to put some distance between our families! So what if he eventually loaned us two thousand? That was only because you got on your knees and begged for it. We even had to pay him back double! Have they ever cared about familial ties? More recently, they learned about our relocation compensation and showed up at our house to guilt-trip us

Finnegan’s articulate speech, Quiana fell silent while

dire situation was too much to bear, and Melinda shamelessly replied, “That’s all in the past now, Finny. There’s no

on my knees and

Quiana. “Mom, I hope

to treat your father, do you think you can do

he able to treat illnesses?” Adrian asked, clearly taken aback.

from the day before, Melinda beamed with joy. “Oh, that’s right! Finny, you could tell that Max has leukemia, so

“Mom, if I can diagnose the condition, I can also treat

of three of my ten non-treatment rules. There’s no way I’ll

Max is your

cousin. You-”

to head out to run some errands, Mom. See

leaving Melinda boiling with rage. “Finnegan Larkin, you

2/4

heartless b*stard! You’re

to be as cold-blooded as your sc*mbag son? You promised Dad and Mom to take care of us! Is this how you should be treating

agony. “Quiana, is this how you should act as

hard she tried, Quiana couldn’t bring herself to say no to her family. “Finny won’t listen to me. I’ll

Melinda’s attitude took a hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. “What are you still waiting for, then? Are you going to wait till Max’s condition worsens?” she

taxi to Xendale instead of getting a lift from Alisha.

Finn! They guilt-tripped Mom into testing if she’s a compatible bone marrow donor for that jerk, Max. She also wants me to go with her.

and in poor health, so there’s no way the doctor will approve her as a donor. You’ll be