Chapter 1 Cancer

In the city of Greece, a lovely mansion with a beautiful garden. The first rays of sunlight streamed through the curtains, gently illuminating the room where Elaine lay in bed, her weary eyes staring at the empty space beside her. It had become a familiar sight—a husband who was physically present but emotionally absent. Richard, the love of her life and her husband had become a mere stranger in their marriage. As Elaine mustered the strength to sit up, she glanced at Richard, hoping for a spark of recognition or a word of comfort. But his eyes remained fixed on the newspaper in front of him, his silence was a constant reminder of their growing apart marriage. She stared at her husband still waiting for his recognition but it seemed as if he was never going to acknowledge her presence or the fact that she had woken up. With a heavy sigh, Elaine mustered the courage to break the silence. "Richard" she spoke softly, her voice laced with a mix of hope and desperation. "I need to go to the hospital today. My appointment is at noon. Can you please drive me there?" Richard's response was as cold and dismissive as the morning breeze. He didn't even spare her a glance, pretending as if her words were mere echoes in the air. His silence spoke volumes, his refusal to acknowledge her plea became a deep wound that cut to the core of her being. The weight of disappointment settled heavily on Elaine's shoulders as she realized her request would go unanswered. The uncaring nature of her husband's actions stung more than any physical pain she endured. She couldn’t hold it in and wanted to confront him but she could see being held back, she knew that the mere words that would come out of his mouth would be mean and cause her a heartache. Forcing herself to swallow the lump in her throat, Elaine rose from the bed and made her way to the kitchen. She prepared a simple breakfast, hoping that perhaps the aroma of warm food would entice him to say a word to her, even in appreciation and she would be content. With a trembling hand, she set the plate before Richard, silently pleading for his attention. But her efforts were in vain. Richard’s eyes remained fixed on the paper, his expression devoid of any warmth or acknowledgment. He ignored the food in front of him, as if the gesture of nourishment held no significance in their crumbling relationship nor did the scent seem pleasant to him. The next thing he did shocked her more, he folded the paper and walked straight into the bathroom without giving her a glance. Elaine fought back her tears, her heart aching with a sense of abandonment. She had become a mere thing in their home, invisible and insignificant. She could her lungs being pressed together suffocating her. Richard stepped out of the bathroom wearing a white shirt and a black trousers, she offered to pick a tie for him but he choose another instead leaving her stranded. His hasty footsteps could be counted by her as he did everything in a haste, she could tell that he was trying to get away from her. As he walked out the door, Elaine took one last look at the man who has been her partner in life. And with a mix of sadness and regret, she picked up the plate from the room back to the kitchen to dispose of it. Just after she was done washing up, the door to another room opened and her mother-in-law walked out. “Good morning mother” she greeted. “Morning Elaine, I would like to have my breakfast now” Mary said. “Why don't you take a shower and I get it ready, once it is done, I will be sure to inform you” “Okay dear, I will do just that” Mary answered. “And I will make breakfast” she replied and turned back into the kitchen to make another breakfast. Because Elaine nd had been engulfed in making a good meal for Richard, she had used almost all the ingredients and all that was left was enough to make a dessert. As Elaine surveyed the ingredients in her pantry, she contemplated the perfect breakfast to prepare. She decided on a classic spread: scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a basket of flaky croissants. That was all her mind could pick at the moment with the Ingredients she had. With a sigh, Elaine set to work. She cracked the eggs into a bowl, whisking them vigorously until they were bubbly and light. The aroma of sizzling bacon filled the air, and the sound of crackling filled her ears. She watched attentively as the bacon transformed from pink to golden brown, ensuring it was perfectly cooked and crispy. The orange juice was freshly squeezed, the pulpy liquid glistening with vibrant hues of orange. Lastly, she carefully arranged the golden croissants in a beautiful wicker basket, their flaky layers. As the final touches were made, Elaine knocked on the door of the room. “Mother, breakfast is ready” she started hoping that finally someone would appreciate her food. Seated at the table, Elaine calmly presented the breakfast she had prepared. The scrambled eggs were fluffy and perfectly seasoned, the bacon was golden and crisp, and the croissants were a sight to behold. The vibrant orange juice sparkled in the morning light, a refreshing addition to the meal. Elaine's face beamed with anticipation as she awaited Mary's reaction. Mary took a sip of the orange juice, her delicate lips curling into a smile. "Mmm, this juice is simply divine, Elaine. You've really captured the essence of freshness," she complimented graciously, and Elaine's heart soared with joy. Encouraged by Mary's initial response, Elaine watched eagerly as she took a bite of the scrambled eggs. However, to her dismay, Mary's expression changed slightly. Her brows furrowed, and she chewed thoughtfully, her silence casting a shadow of doubt over Elaine's efforts. After a moment, Mary finally spoke. "Elaine, these eggs are a bit overcooked, dear. They could have been softer, and the seasoning is a touch too strong for my taste." she explained. Once again she felt a sharp pain in her chest, what was she expecting. This was mother who was never satisfied with any effort she made, why then did she think that she would appreciate her food. Elaine felt a pang of disappointment. She had put so much effort into making a nice breakfast, and now her hopes were dashed. Trying to hide her disappointment, Elaine mustered a smile. "I'm sorry the eggs aren't to your liking, Mary. I'll keep that in mind for next time." She focused on the positives, hoping to keep her mind at rest. As the breakfast continued, Mary provided more critiques, commenting on the bacon's slight greasiness and the croissants being a touch too flaky for her preference. However, Elaine refused to let each remark made to her affect her, to her, she had made the best breakfast. With each criticism, Elaine took her seat and began to eat quietly without bothering herself anymore with what Mary had to say. She finished her own meal with grace, demonstrating that she believed in her cooking despite any imperfections. As they concluded the breakfast, Elaine gathered the dishes and utensils, as she cleaned the kitchen, Elaine realized that everything she did was never going to be acknowledged by both her husband and his mother. There was going to be ups and downs and she was tired of facing it alone. The sun continued to rise, casting its golden glow over the kitchen. She made way to her room to prepare for her appointment. Taking a taxi to the hospital after Richard refused to take her, it took Elaine an hour to get there. Being neglected by her husband Richard had taught her to be a strong and independent woman. She had faced numerous challenges in her life, but nothing could have prepared her for what awaited her at the hospital that day. It was still sunny when she arrived, hoping to find answers to the unexplained pain she had been experiencing for weeks. Little did she know that her life was about to take an unexpected turn. As she sat in the waiting room, surrounded by the sounds of hushed conversations and the sterile smell of antiseptic, Elaine's heart raced with anticipation. Finally, her name was called, and she followed the nurse down a long corridor, her footsteps echoing through the hallway despite the amount of people present. Dr. Anderson, a middle-aged man with kind eyes, greeted her in his office. Elaine could sense the gravity of the situation from the moment she saw his somber expression. She took a deep breath and sat down, her hands trembling slightly. "Elaine, I'm afraid I have some difficult news to share with you," Dr. Anderson began, his voice gentle yet filled with concern. “What is it Doctor, is it that serious?” she asked him. “Yes, I would have preferred the whole family to be here but since you are already here then I should tell you anyways. Although I would need to have a meeting with your husband to discuss your condition” the doctor said. “Is all that really necessary?” she asked knowing well that Richard wouldn't want to have anything to do with her. His work always came first and he has never had time for her in any way. “Yes it is” “Just tell me Doctor” she demanded to know the results. "The results of your tests indicate that you have cancer." Elaine's heart sank as if it had dropped into the depths of her chest. ‘Cancer’. The word reverberated through her mind, echoing like an unwelcome guest. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought to hold them back, determined to hear every word the doctor had to say. "The cancer has been detected in an advanced stage," Dr. Anderson continued, his voice filled with empathy. "I won't sugarcoat it, Elaine. Given the aggressive nature of the cancer and the extent of its spread, I estimate that you have approximately a year to live." he said and she felt like she had been hit with a bomb. Elaine's world came crashing down. A year. How could her life be reduced to such a short span of time? Thoughts raced through her mind, colliding with emotions too complex to unravel. Fear, anger, and sadness intertwined, threatening to overwhelm her. She clutched her hands together tightly, trying to steady herself. The doctor reached out and placed a hand on Elaine's shoulder, offering her a moment of solace amidst the storm of emotions. "I know this news is incredibly difficult to process, Elaine," he said softly. "But please remember that there are treatment options available. We can discuss different approaches to manage your symptoms and help improve your quality of life." he said but she knew all that was useless when he had already said that she had a year to live, what was the treatment going to do anyways, extend it to two years. Doesn't that mean she was still going to die soon?. Elaine nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you, Doctor." Dr. Anderson went on to explain the various treatment possibilities, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive approach that would involve a team of specialists. He reassured Elaine that they would do everything they could to support her through this challenging journey. As the appointment concluded, Elaine left the hospital with a heavy heart and a mind full of questions. The world around her seemed different, as if the colors had faded and the once-familiar streets had transformed into an unknown terrain. Elaine knew that the year ahead would be filled with uncertainty and pain, She knew that her family would be happy that she would be gone soon. Her husband would finally be freed of her and he could live his life the way he wanted.