Chapter 23 She Was Dying, but He Worried She’d Burn the House
Jennie still wanted to say something, but Tracy simply turned and went upstairs, leaving her stunned in the living room.
Chandler, after Tracy left, also lost his appetite. He picked at a few bites, then went up as well
When he heard the sound of running water in the bathroom, he knew Tracy was showerin he went straight into the study to deal with work.
He had barely sat down when Yvonne called. Closing the study door, he answered.
“The proposal you gave before-my brother’s very interested. Do you have time to meet and go over the details?”
Chandler’s eyes narrowed faintly. “Where are you?”
“The usual place.”
After hanging up, he picked his jacket off the chair, draped it over his arm, and headed out. Passing the bedroom, he glimpsed Tracy blow-drying her hair. He paused for a couple of seconds, then kept walking.
Tracy saw him leave, but it felt like it no longer had anything to do with her. All that mattered now was eating, resting, taking her medicine, and staying alive as long as she could.
Monday morning, Tracy rose early, made herself oatmeal, and left for work.
Only then did she discover Mr. Felix had already arranged someone to take over her duties.
It was a young man named Greg, sharp haircut, heavy brows over earnest eyes. When he saw Tracy, he smiled politely.
“Good morning, Ms. Tracy. I’m Greg. Mr. Felix assigned me to take over your work. Please take care of me.”
Tracy gave him a brief nod. “Morning.”
In her office, Greg followed her in. Patiently, Tracy explained the workflow and key points to watch for, breaking everything down so clearly that Greg lit up with an “I see” look again and
again.
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Chapter 23 She Was Dying, but He Worried She’d Burn the House
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At lunch, whispers swirled through the cafeteria. One bolder colleague slid into the seat across from her.
“Ms. Tracy… is it true you’re really leaving?”
Tracy nodded once. “Yes.”
“But why? You’ve been doing so well. Why suddenly resign?”
“Personal reasons. It’s inconvenient to explain.” She ate a small bite, then added, “Greg’s takin over now. He’s capable and careful. He’ll do fine.”
The coworker looked disappointed. “But we’d still rather follow you.”
Tracy didn’t answer. She had always been a strict but fair supervisor. When mistakes happened, she corrected them immediately, teaching step by step until they stuck. Under her watch, the department’s error rate was almost zero. With her there, no one worried about work falling apart.
But every banquet ends. “Nothing lasts forever,” she said softly, then pushed away her food and left-her appetite gone.
By the time she finished handovers and documents, the office was empty. Rubbing her throbbing temples, she told Greg, “That’s all for today. You can go.”
Greg nodded, gathered his files, and left. Tracy packed up too, heading home after six.
She ate, then quietly tore the twelfth from the calendar. Her birthday was only days away.
That night, Sam called with technical questions. They talked until after eight. Afterwards, she showered, took her medication, and went straight to bed.
Three days later, a courier arrived. Jennie handed her the box as soon as she came through the door. “Ms. Tracy, this came for you today. I signed it.”
“Thanks.”
Tracy opened it on the sofa. Inside lay the medical report she had been dreading. Even though she knew, her chest still clenched as she read the words.
Large shadow on the left stomach wall, suspected malignancy, signs of metastasis.
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Chapter 23 She Was Dying, but He Worried She’d Burn the House
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Diagnosis: Mid-stage gastric cancer. Long-term medication recommended. Return in one month for re-examination.
Along with the report was a new prescription-different pills this time, but all labeled
anticancer.
The door opened. Chandler returned after days away. He glanced at her sitting there with the package, then went upstairs without another look.
She had known he wouldn’t care. But the memory of how he once fussed over every little ailment still stung. Her eyes burned as she clutched the report. She shouldn’t have expected anything.
With a bitter smile, she picked up a lighter and touched flame to the paper’s edge.
Just then Chandler came downstairs, a carved box in his hand. He noticed the flicker of fire.
“What are you burning?”
Her hand trembled. Before she could answer, his voice came again, cool and flat.
“If you’re going to burn something, do it outside. Don’t set the house on fire. I don’t want to redo the renovations.”
The coldness struck deeper than the diagnosis had.
She was dying-dying—and his concern was only for the house. For money.
How laughable. How cruel.
She didn’t even feel the burn until the flames licked her fingers. With a start, she dropped the sheet, watching it curl and blacken into ash on the floor. Just like her love-burned away, nothing left to save.
A few more quiet days passed. On the weekend, her phone rang.
“Tracy, it’s your birthday today,” her grandmother’s gentle voice came. “I’ve ordered a cake and a gift. Will you come home?”
For a moment Tracy couldn’t speak. Only Grandma still remembered.
Sighing, Madam Sarah added softly, “Don’t worry. They all went on vacation yesterday. It’s just me and Linda here. You don’t have to see anyone else.”
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Chapter 23 She Was Dying, but He Worried She’d Burn the House
Her eyes grew wet. Grandma always understood.
“Yes, Grandma. I’ll come.”
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After hanging up, she hurried through breakfast and drove back to the Xander house.
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Linda greeted her warmly. “Madam Sarah went out early to buy your favorite dishes. The cake is ordered too. Come in, sit with her. I’ll go start cooking.”
On the sofa, Madam Sarah beamed. “Tracy’s home. Come sit with Grandma.”
Tracy sat down sweetly. “Grandma.”
The old lady handed her a brocade box. “Happy birthday, my dear. This is my gift. See if you like it.”
Inside lay a pair of emerald bracelets, family heirlooms, priceless.
Tracy’s eyes widened. “Grandma, this is too valuable. Please, give me something else instead.” She pushed the box back across the table.
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