Chapter 21: Suffering the Agony

Cecilia felt her heart pounding as she entered the hospital with Ethan beside her. The room was steeped in the clinical smell of disinfectants, mixing with the soft scent of lavender wafting from the tiny vase atop the receptionist's counter. Her wolf twisted restlessly inside her, in tune with the tension flowing from her like a pulse. Ethan's gentle hand rested softly on her lower back as they walked toward Dr. Reynold's office.

"Are you okay?" Ethan's voice was low and soothing, his wolf emanating calm through their bond.

Cecilia nodded slightly, even though her thoughts were racing. She had been anxious about this appointment, worrying about what the test results could show. She had borne the burden of her diagnosis for such an extended time, suffering the agony, the restless nights, and the numerous medications given to her. The strength of her wolf had assisted her in managing, but even that had boundaries.

Dr. Reynold welcomed them with a friendly but professional smile, motioning for them to sit down. His office had a minimalistic design, featuring shelves filled with medical journals and a sizable framed certificate on the wall behind his desk. A slight hint of anxiety remained in his aroma, which Cecilia's heightened senses detected right away. She shared a brief look with Ethan, whose jaw clenched slightly in reaction.

The doctor adjusted his throat as he took a seat, clasping his hands on the desk. "Cecilia, before discussing your results, I must ask you some questions."

Cecilia felt a knot in her stomach. "Certainly," she replied, her tone unwavering despite the chaos stirring inside her.

"When did you receive your initial cancer diagnosis?" Dr. Reynold's eyes locked on hers, his tone careful but probing.

"It was two years and four months back," Cecilia answered, her voice soft and nearly inaudible. "Located at Healing Field Clinic in Oakland. "I was diagnosed right before I married my ex-husband."

The doctor leaned back in his chair, his forehead creased in contemplation while his fingers lightly tapped the desk. "And you have been using the medication they prescribed to you ever since?"

Cecilia agreed. "Absolutely." The symptoms have continued with tiredness and discomfort. It has remained steady. "That is the reason I 've been so scared immediately that I found out that I'm pregnant."

Dr. Reynold looked down at the folder before him, turning the pages with a skill that only increased Cecilia's unease. He finally exhaled deeply, looking back up at her. "I'm asking because your test results are... unusual."

"Unusual?" Ethan interjected, his voice sharp. His wolf bristled beneath the surface, protective and on edge.

Dr. Reynold held up a hand to placate him. "Let me explain. According to your results, Cecilia, there is no sign of cancer in your body. None whatsoever."

Cecilia froze. Her wolf stirred restlessly, sensing her disbelief. "What?" she murmured, leaning in as though she hadn't heard him right.

"The tests reveal no markers, no irregularities, nothing suggesting that cancer is present," Dr. Reynold stated, his tone resolute yet laced with perplexity. "In simple terms, you are completely healthy."

Cecilia's hand shot to her chest, her breaths quick and light. "That can't be correct." I have been on medication for more than two years. The symptoms have been real-the pain, the exhaustion... How is that possible?"

Ethan reached for her hand, gripping it tightly. His wolf radiated a calming presence, but even he couldn't mask the astonishment in his voice. "Are you sure the results are accurate?"

Dr. Reynold nodded. "I've double-checked everything. There's no mistake." He hesitated before continuing. "This leads me to my subsequent question." If cancer is ruled out, then what has been triggering your symptoms? "And why have you been given medication for a condition that appears to not be present?"

Cecilia's head spun, her wolf growling softly in confusion. She turned to the doctor, her voice trembling. "What do you mean? Are you saying the diagnosis was wrong?"

Dr. Reynold's expression was grim. "I can't say for certain until we investigate further. However, it's evident that something doesn't quite make sense. Please bring the medications you have been using to your next appointment. "I must examine them to figure out what's happening."

Ethan's jaw tightened, his wolf bristling with anger. "If someone's been giving her the wrong treatment..."

"Let's avoid making hasty conclusions," Dr. Reynold intervened in a composed manner. "At this moment, our main focus is to uncover the truth."

Cecilia reclined in her seat, her thoughts racing. Remembrances of the last two years surged through her thoughts, the nights without sleep, the constant exhaustion, and the anxiety that her life was fading. Was it all in vain? She glanced at Ethan, whose sharp eyes were fixed on the doctor, his protective instincts on high alert.

"What about the symptoms, I've been experiencing?" she inquired, her voice hardly stable. "If it's not cancer, then what else could it be?"

Dr. Reynold shook his head. "I can't say for sure yet. But the fact that your test results are clear suggests we need to look elsewhere for answers." Cecilia felt her wolf whimper gently inside her, reflecting the doubt that held her. She had prepared for unfortunate news, but this... this was completely something else.

The doctor stood up from his chair, indicating that their meeting had concluded. "Take the medications with you to your upcoming appointment." From this time onwards, Always try to relax yourself and your mind. Stress can worsen symptoms, regardless of the underlying cause.

Cecilia nodded numbly, rising from her chair. Ethan's hand found hers again as they walked out of the office, his presence grounding her even as her thoughts spiraled.

As soon as they were outside, Cecilia paused, resting against the wall for stability. The setting sun created elongated shadows over the parking lot, yet she hardly paid attention.

"I can't comprehend," she whispered, her voice faltering. "How is this possible?" What does it mean?"

Ethan turned to face her, his hands resting gently on her shoulders. His wolf's fierce protectiveness surged through their bond, but his voice was calm. "We'll figure this out. "No matter what it is, I must get to the root of this matter."

Cecilia gazed into his eyes, discovering a glimmer of comfort within the chaos. Yet, as they remained in that spot, the burden of unaddressed questions loomed significantly between them. Her wolf moved anxiously inside her, reflecting the discomfort that neither could dispel.

After many years, Cecilia experienced a slight resurgence of hope for the first time. A hope tempered by doubts and the persistent worry that the reality could be much more complex than she envisioned. While heading to the car, the reverberation of Dr. Reynold's words remained in her thoughts, creating a feeling of discomfort that would not melt away.

Both she and Ethan were baffled by the mystery of the test results, their confusion deepening as the reality of the situation began to emerge.