Meanwhile, Lindsay’s spirits seemed to lift, as if rekindled with hope. Tears filled her eyes, brimming with gratitude and dependence as she gazed at Matthew.
Matthew, on the other hand, was preparing to take Lindsay back to the consultation room to see Ronan. As he turned her wheelchair, his gaze landed on Stella.
He hesitated for a moment, his lips parting slightly as if to speak, but in the end, he remained silent, pushing Lindsay into the consultation room.
Stella couldn’t ignore the triumphant look Lindsay shot her. It pierced through her like a blade, leaving a sharp pang in her chest.
What hurt even more was Matthew’s behavior. If he hadn’t lost his memory, he would have stood by her side, managing Lindsay’s situation with her. Instead, he repeatedly left her to endure the humiliation and pain alone.
Nearby, Fernando let out a quiet sigh and said, “Mrs. Clark, please try to understand Mr. Clark. Miss Wheeler’s test results weren’t promising, and she’s emotionally fragile right now. Mr. Clark is worried she might do something drastic, so he’s been doing his best to console her.”
Stella mustered a faint smile and replied, “I understand. I won’t make a fuss.”
Hearing her words, Fernando was momentarily at a loss. He closed his mouth, uncertain of what else to say, afraid that anything more might worsen the situation.
Inside the consultation room, Matthew’s expression darkened as he scanned Lindsay’s test results.
Ronan spoke in a grave tone. “Miss Wheeler’s spinal cord is completely damaged. This is an extremely challenging condition. Even if we proceed with surgery immediately, the risks are immense— worsened paralysis or severe complications could arise. Therefore, I strongly recommend opting for conservative treatment instead.”
Lindsay’s reaction was immediate, like the ground had crumbled beneath her feet. Her face turned ghostly pale, lips trembling as tears cascaded down her cheeks. Slumping in her wheelchair, she muttered in despair, “How did it come to this? What am I going to do now…”
Matthew’s brow furrowed deeply, his face etched with concern as he turned to Ronan. “Is there really no way to fix this? Not even the slightest hope?”
Ronan shook his head, a heavy sigh escaping him. “With the current state of medical advancements and the severity of Miss Wheeler’s condition, finding a cure is nearly impossible. Complete spinal cord damage is one of the most formidable challenges we face.”
A tense silence hung in the room as Matthew absorbed the grim reality. After a moment, he murmured, “I understand.”
Stepping forward, he carefully tucked the test report into his hand.
With a gentle pat on Lindsay’s shoulder, he said softly, “Lindsay, let’s head out.” Without waiting for a response, he wheeled her out of the consultation room.
Nearby, Stella had overheard everything. The diagnosis felt like a crushing weight on her chest, squeezing the breath from her Lungs.
Her gaze involuntarily drifted to Matthew. His face was a mosaic of emotions-helplessness, guilt, and a faint undercurrent of confusion.
The corridor stretched before them, oppressively silent save for Lindsay’s quiet sobs, their sound echoing like a mournful cry through the empty hall.
Matthew paused, the weight of the moment settling like a heavy fog.
He turned to Fernando, his voice cutting through the silence with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. “Reach out to other doctors overseas. If we find someone more suited to Lindsay’s needs, we’ll bring them to Seamarsh for a second opinion. If not, I’ll take her abroad myself for treatment.”
Fernando gave a quick nod, his reply sharp as a tack. “Understood, Mr. Clark. I’ll get on it right away.”
As he made to leave, his gaze flicked to Stella, a glimmer of sympathy flashing in his eyes, followed by a soft, almost imperceptible sigh.
Lindsay, overhearing Matthew’s plans, suddenly adopted a “more considerate demeanor”.