Chapter 344 Katherine's Terminal Illness
Ava suggested, "Hey Ashley, let's head over there and grab a coffee break."
Ashley, not really in the mood to chat with her, turned to Katherine and asked, "Katherine, you thirsty? Want to take a break?"
Katherine advised, "Ashley, you're pregnant and have been walking for ages. You must be exhausted. Go get some hot milk and sit down. No coffee for you."
Ashley nodded, "Alright."
She then pushed Katherine's wheelchair towards the coffee shop.
Ashley didn't notice the craziness in Ava's eyes. Ava quickly hid her emotions and followed closely behind them.
Once they reached the coffee shop, Ashley said, "Ms. Lacey, I got two hot milks for Katherine and me. You can order whatever you like."
Ava just replied, "Okay."
Ashley carried the two cups of hot milk and sat down next to Katherine. "Katherine, you must be thirsty too. Have some milk."
Katherine took one cup from her and had just taken a sip when she suddenly started coughing violently.
Ashley exclaimed and quickly patted her back, gently saying, "Katherine, drink slowly, don't choke."
Katherine pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket, covering her mouth as she continued to cough hard, her face turning red. It took a few minutes for her to calm down.
Ashley asked with concern, "Katherine, why are you coughing so badly? Are you feeling okay?"
Katherine shook her head, still covering her mouth with the handkerchief, and redirected, "Ashley, I want some dessert. Can you get me some, please?"
"Sure," Ashley said.
Seeing that Katherine had stopped coughing, Ashley hesitantly went to the counter to get some dessert for Katherine. As she turned away, Katherine wiped her mouth and put the handkerchief away.
The white handkerchief was instantly stained with fresh blood. It was from Katherine's recent coughing fit! A trace of sadness flashed in Katherine's eyes. Seeing Ashley coming back, she quickly hid the handkerchief in her pocket.
Presenting the desserts, Ashley spoke softly, "Katherine, these are all your favorite desserts. Try them."
Katherine smiled warmly, reaching out to touch Ashley's hand, and replied, "Ashley, you should eat too."
Returning the smile, Ashley took a bite of the dessert.
Playfully, Katherine remarked, "They say eating sour foods means you're more likely to have a boy, and eating spicy foods means you're more likely to have a girl. Ashley, have you been craving sour or spicy lately?"
Ashley thought for a moment, "I don't seem to be picky. I eat a bit of everything as long as it tastes good."
Teasingly, Katherine suggested, "Could it be twins?"
Eyes sparkling with hope, Ashley said, "I hope so too. A son and a daughter, a perfect family of four, happy and complete."
Katherine agreed, "That would be wonderful. Ashley, let's go shopping later. I'm not getting any younger, and who knows how much time I have left. I want to buy everything for my future great-grandson and great-granddaughter while I'm still here. This is my final wish."Taken aback, Ashley exclaimed, "Katherine, what are you talking about? You sound like you're about to die. You're strong and resilient, destined to live a long and fulfilling life!"
Ashley then carefully examined Katherine. She appeared visibly pale, with slightly discolored lips and dark circles under her eyes, hinting at possible illness.
Ashley inquired nervously, "Katherine, are you sick?"
Just as she finished speaking, Ava came over with a coffee, "Katherine, Ashley, mind if I join you?"
Ashley frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with Katherine, then said, "Sure, go ahead."
With this interruption, Ashley and Katherine didn't continue their previous conversation.
But Ashley couldn't help but secretly observe Katherine's complexion. The more she observed, the more concerned she grew, causing a sense of unease to settle within her, "Katherine, you don't look well. How about we go home and rest?" Ashley suggested nervously.
In response, Katherine insisted, "No, I haven't bought clothes for my great-grandson and great-granddaughter yet."
Ashley gently reasoned, "Katherine, the baby is still small. There's no rush to buy things now. Your health is the most important."
Determined in her stance, Katherine maintained, "No, I must buy things for them today. Please do not try to persuade me otherwise. My mind is made up, and no one can change it."
Seeing Katherine so determined, Ashley reluctantly agreed.
After drinking some milk, Ashley and Katherine went to the baby section of the mall. Katherine's eyes sparkled with delight upon encountering the array of children's clothing and footwear.
With Katherine's insistence, they bought a lot of baby items.
Although Ashley thought it was too early to buy these things, she was very grateful for Katherine's kind gesture and accepted the gifts.
Ashley felt that Katherine seemed anxious, as if she was afraid she wouldn't have another chance to buy gifts for the baby.
Ashley thought to herself, could Katherine really be sick?
Thinking this, Ashley held Katherine's hand affectionately, while assessing her pulse with the other hand.
After about ten minutes,
Ashley's face gradually turned grim.
"Ashley, I think these are all good. Can we finalize them?" Katherine inquired.
Ashley suppressed her shock, sadness, and complex emotions. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Katherine.
Fearing that Katherine would notice, Ashley quickly turned her face away and excused herself, "Okay, Katherine, I'm going to the restroom."
"Alright, go ahead." Katherine simply replied.
Ashley's assessment revealed a troubling diagnosis: Katherine's heartbeat was irregular, and her internal organs were damaged. It was an incurable disease! And Katherine only had six months left to live!
Ashley wanted to relay the news to Ethan. Covering her mouth to hold back her tears, she accidentally bumped into a middle-aged man of mixed race at the corner.
The middle-aged man remained compused , but the younger man beside him scolded angrily, "How can you be so careless? Don't you watch where you're going?"
He spoke in Ferndale language, which Ashley understood.
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