LOVE BEGUILED

was so heavy as if a brick had Been placed on it. The thought of losing her job twisted in her stomach like a coiled snake, tight

he picked the last of her pieces. As fluorescent light shone brightly on the office expo

ing day. She stared at her reflection in the mirror that hung on the sidewall of the washroom and wondered if she had made the wrong choice in moving into the city of Chicago because ever since she had moved in, it's been from one difficulty to another. Or was fate ju

ow voice. She moved to stand where Ava was seated ."I heard it was

ague was genuinely sorry about her job termination but th

ile trying to hold back the tears that had formed in her eyes,

of tissue and extended it to her

be alright," she

It clung to her hands now as she wiped her eyes, her chest tight with agony. This wasn't just a job she was losing, it was sta

or was living for crumble. She could still feel the sharp pain in her heart when the gynecologist broke the news. His voice was gentle, ful

full of anxiety as she waited f

ponse, then he continued when she blinked. "I

she shifted her body uncomfortably. The gynecologist waited

alled endometrial cancer," he spoke keenly, no

sound almost audible. She wasn't familiar with the word "endometr

that mean

at Ava, checking if she was following his explanation, then continued. "But I assure you, we have treatment options, and we will work together to find the

tantly got cold, and she shivered. Her legs became weak and frozen as if blood wa

she asked with a shallow voice, forcing her v

and treatments may commence immediately. The gynecologist repli

ontact with. She looked like she had seen a ghost. When she got home, Sophie w

a, hun! Ar

weary voice, trying hard

ht where you are. I'm

ons down until Sophie arrived. She tossed her phone onto th

e found Ava wailing in agony, her face soaked with tears and reddened from long

t say?" she asked, wiping awa

er and weakly fe

endometrial cancer," Ava

er, who had already soaked her shoulder with tears. "I'm so sorry," Sophie said. "Listen, we're going t

peacefully resting on

a glass of water."I'm h

ose, She closed her eyes

u," she w