Chapter 24: Revealed the Cause of her Illness

Dr. Reynolds's tone was calm, yet his words unleashed a tempest that tore through Cecilia's mind. Ethan tightened his hold on her hand as the doctor started to explain the test results.

"The drugs you've been taking, Cecilia, include Nitrofuranoin 100 SR capsules, Aspirin, and Vancomycin." From my assessment, these medications are the cause of your symptoms of weakness, dizziness, and nausea. They imitate symptoms of more serious illnesses, potentially deceiving even a careful observer. And if precautions weren't observed, she might have ended up losing her pregnancy in the process. His tone was detached, but a hint of irritation lay beneath.

Cecilia's breath halted in her throat. Her heartbeat roared in her ears as the space appeared to constrict, zeroing in on the doctor's voice. She looked down at the troublesome pills, now ominously resting on Dr. Reynolds's desk, their seemingly harmless look concealing the turmoil they had caused in her life.

"I understand why you believed you were quite unwell," Dr. Reynolds went on, leaning in a bit, his face showing more empathy. "The packaging of these drugs was clearly tampered with. Without proper labeling or documentation, there's no way you could have known what you were taking."

Ethan growled low under his breath, the sound primal and protective, reverberating through the room. Cecilia felt the vibration from his chest travel up her arm where his hand clutched hers. It was a stark reminder of the strength and ferocity that lay beneath his usually calm appearance.

"Who could have done this?" Ethan demanded, his voice sharp and guttural. His wolf instincts were rising to the surface, his need to protect Cecilia overriding the thin veneer of control he held."Why would anyone provide her with these medications disguised as cancer therapy?"

Dr. Reynolds exhaled, taking off his glasses and massaging the bridge of his nose. "That," he responded gradually, "is a query for the physician at Healing Field Clinic." "Whoever established the initial diagnosis must supply explanations."

Cecilia experienced a surge of intense and overwhelming anger within her. For two years, fear and despair governed her life, as she thought she was fighting a disease that could take her life. She had sacrificed valuable moments, distanced herself from others, and faced countless nights filled with tears and loneliness, entirely due to a falsehood.

Her nails dug into Ethan's hand as she clenched her fists, the wolf inside her stirring uneasily. She could feel the edges of her emotions fraying, the faint pull of her inner beast responding to the betrayal and injustice.

"Cecilia," Ethan said softly, drawing her back. His gaze connected with hers, the golden specks in his irises swirling with suppressed rage. "We'll uncover the truth behind this." I swear it."

Dr. Reynolds cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "For now, I recommend discontinuing these medications immediately. I'll prescribe a regimen to help cleanse your system and restore your strength. However, confronting the source of this misdiagnosis is critical. You need to know why this happened and ensure it doesn't happen to anyone else."

Cecilia nodded, though her mind was spinning. She barely registered Dr. Reynolds's words as he outlined the next steps. Her wolf stirred restlessly beneath her skin, her heightened senses picking up every detail in the room: the faint hum of the fluorescent lights, the scent of disinfectant mixed with Ethan's distinct, grounding aroma, and the steady rhythm of the doctor's heartbeat.

When the doctor finished, Cecilia rose to her feet unsteadily. Ethan quickly positioned himself beside her, his hand resting on the small of her back, leading her toward the exit. As they exited the office, the burden of the disclosure weighed heavily on her shoulders.

The stroll through the hospital hallway was a haze. The pristine white walls appeared to constrict, intensifying her unease.

Ethan's presence beside her was the only anchor keeping her grounded. She could feel the tension radiating off him in waves, his wolf barely contained as he processed the same shocking truths she was struggling with.

Outside, the cool air hit her like a wave, refreshing but sharp against her skin. Ethan's hand never left her back as they approached his car. He held the door for her and stayed put until she was comfortable before getting into the driver's seat. For a brief period, neither one said anything. The stillness was heavy, filled with untold words and persistent strain.

Ethan ultimately shattered the quiet, his tone deep and raspy. "I won't let this slide, Cecilia." "Whoever has done this to you... they will face the consequences."

Cecilia faced him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She sensed the certainty in his words, the fierce resolve that smoldered under his composed surface. For a short while, she permitted herself to rely on his strength, finding solace in the steady backing he provided.

As Ethan started the engine and exited the hospital parking lot, Cecilia's thoughts wandered back to Dr. Reynolds's office. The doctor's voice echoed in her head like a malfunctioning record: The doctor at Healing Field Clinic is in the best position to provide the answer to her questions.

Whoever had orchestrated this deception had manipulated her life in the cruelest way. But why? What could they possibly gain from her suffering? These questions troubled her, each one increasingly disturbing than the previous one.

Her wolf stirred once more, the instinctive part of her perceiving the danger and risky that enveloped her. She understood that this was beyond just a straightforward instance of medical negligence. An ominous person was involved, who had set its sights on her for reasons she did not yet understand.

When they returned to Annie's apartment, the sun was setting beneath the horizon, creating elongated shadows throughout the city. Ethan accompanied her to her door, his protective instincts fully engaged. His keen eyes examined their environment, looking for anything amiss.

While they were at her entrance, Ethan faced her, his look intense. "Promise me you won't go to Healing Field Clinic alone. Because the person that did this can equally harm you if you make a wrong move"

Cecilia nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I promise."

Ethan paused briefly, his hand lightly grazing her cheek in an uncommon show of affection. Then he vanished, slipping into the night with a fluidity and speed that reflected his wolf ancestry.

Isolated in her apartment while Annie was still away on her trip, Cecilia collapsed onto the couch, reflecting on the day's events in her thoughts. Her wolf was agitated, moving inside her as the heaviness of the truth loomed to overwhelm her. For two years, she had existed under the weight of a deception. Now, she was resolved to embrace the truth, regardless of how agonizing the discoveries could be.

As the minutes passed, Cecilia's determination strengthened. She was aware that the journey ahead would be dangerous, yet she also realized she wasn't by herself. With Ethan and Annie accompanying her and her wolf instincts leading her, she felt prepared to confront any further challenges that awaited her.

However, while she remained in the calm of her apartment, a fresh discomfort enveloped her. The shadows appeared more intense, the air thicker, as if the walls themselves were plotting to hide secrets from her. Her mind returned to the doctor's remarks and the uncertainty enveloping Healing Field Clinic.

Who might have carried this out? And for what reason?

With these questions resonating in her thoughts, Cecilia was certain of one thing: the truth was just there, ready to be discovered. And she wouldn't stop until she discovered it.