Chapter 650


    The car slowly rolled into a vintage courtyard adorned with bricks and tiles.


    "Grandma Agatha," Esther called out cheerfully as she stepped out of the car and spotted Agatha busy


    drying herbs.


    Agatha stood up and approached Esther and the others. "Let''s continue our conversation indoors."


    "Sure."


    Esther signaled for Xara, Steffan, and the rest to join them inside the courtyard.


    In the garden, a multitude of flowers had bloomed quietly in the brisk wind.


    Agatha nced at Steffan and asked calmly, "During the pregnancy, did the mother experience


    frequent anger, tantrums, arguments, or mood swings?"


    Xara didn''t anticipate this question from Agatha after just one look. She nodded gently. "Yes."


    Steffan had imprisoned her during that period, and her freedom had been forcefully taken away. She


    had felt like a bird with broken wings, yearning for the freedom of the open sky beyond the cage. She


    had prayed countless times, wishing for a miscarriage as an unexpected child wasn''t wee.


    It could be said she had lived through a living hell at that time. Now, she felt her child''s illness was the


    true hell of a mother.


    "Please, have a seat. I''ll check on him first," Agatha said.


    With guilt weighing heavily in her heart, Xara guided Jacob toward Agatha.


    Agatha carefully examined Jacob. "Esther, could you take the three children to the vegetable garden


    and pick some white radishes, garlic, and scallions? We''ll makemb stew for lunch."


    "Of course."


    Esther understood that Agatha might want to have a private conversation with them, so she led Jacob


    and the children to the vegetable garden.


    Agatha removed her thick coat and spoke directly to Xara and Steffan. "It might be a bitte for your


    child to seek treatment from me."


    Fearing the worst, Xara felt her eyes welling up. "So... there''s no cure?"


    "The modern doctors must have mentioned that a bone marrow transnt is the best solution,


    correct?"


    Xara nodded. "Yes."


    "A bone marrow transnt addresses the symptoms, not the underlying cause," Agatha stated


    earnestly. "Since you''re friends of Esther, I won''t hide anything from you. Even though you''vee


    coupled with my treatment, he can make a full recovery."


    Xara couldn''t believe her ears. "Is that true?"


    While abroad, doctors had given them a meager 20% chance of sess even with a bone marrow


    transnt.


    "I always keep my promises," Agatha assured.


    Xara and Steffan were ready to do whatever it took if there was a glimmer of hope.


    "We''ll go ahead with the treatment," Steffan said.


    Xara agreed. "Yes, we''re in."


    "The child stays. You two can leave," Agatha told them.


    When Agatha uttered that, Steffan and Xara were taken aback.


    "What''s the matter? Did I not make myself clear?" she asked.


    Steffan cleared his throat and exined, "He has never faced hardships before. Being alone—"


    "Either the child stays, and you leave. Or, you take the child with you and leave," Agatha stated.