The Healing Avenger novel Chapter 22

“Quiana, you have to save Max! He's your only nephew.”

“What happened, Melinda?”

The following morning, Finnegan had just finished Desmond's treatment when he heard his aunt, Melinda Cork, crying in their courtyard.

“I'll go take a look, Dad,” he said before stepping out of the house, only to see Melinda clutching Quiana's hands in sheer desperation and agony.

Upon seeing Finnegan, Melinda let go of her sister-in-law and rushed toward him, seemingly wanting to grab his hand.

Thankfully, Finnegan managed to dodge her in time. I think I know what she's so upset about... Max must've been diagnosed with leukemia.

“Finny, you have to save Max!”

“What's wrong with Max, Aunt Melinda?” Finnegan replied, feigning ignorance.

Melinda knew Finnegan was merely putting on an act, but given that she needed his help, how could she expose him? “After what you said yesterday, we immediately sent Max for a check-up. It turns out he really does have leukemia, and we've already hospitalized him.”

Kind-hearted as usual, Quiana grew increasingly worried. “What? So it's true that Max has leukemia? What should we do now, then?”

“The doctor said Max requires a bone marrow transplant, and a family donor would most likely give the best outcome,” Adrian blurted out, looking nothing like his usual quiet and reserved self. “Sadly, Mel, Helen, and I aren't compatible donors, so we're turning to you, Finny, and Rhia for help.”

“Please help us,” Melinda begged as she wiped away her tears. “We'd be able to save a lot of money if we can find a family donor.”

Just as Quiana was about to agree, Finnegan pulled her back and fixed his aunt with a cold stare. “What gives you the right?”

“Finnegan Larkin, are you even human? Max is your blood-related cousin, for goodness' sake. How can you be so selfish?” Melinda fumed.

Quiana, too, tugged at her son angrily. “How can you say that?”

Alas, Finnegan remained unfazed. “Mom, have you forgotten how they treated us? When Granddad and Granny were still alive, Uncle Adrian insisted we took care of them because he claimed we were more well-off. I didn't mind that because it's right to do what we can for the elderly. However, as soon as something happened to us, Uncle Adrian and his family ignored everything we had done for them and turned their backs on us. They were so eager to put some distance between our families! So what if he eventually loaned us two thousand? That was only because you got on your knees and begged for it. We even had to pay him back double! Have they ever cared about familial ties? More recently, they learned about our relocation compensation and showed up at our house to guilt-trip us into lending them money. How much more shameless can they get? They're now putting on the same act because Max needs a bone marrow donor. What gives them the right?”

After hearing Finnegan's articulate speech, Quiana fell silent while the Lanes turned red in the face.

However, the thought of Max's dire situation was too much to bear, and Melinda shamelessly replied, “That's all in the past now, Finny. There's no need for such pettiness. Besides, we're family. Why should we hold on to these grudges?”

“I'm your uncle. Do you expect me to get on my knees and beg you? Must you be so ruthless?” Adrian chimed in.

“Sorry. We won't help even if you did that. We aren't obliged to,” Finnegan scoffed before turning to Quiana. “Mom, I hope you'll listen to me on this matter. Trust me. Some family members aren't worth helping.”

Just then, Quiana recalled her son's impressive medical skills. “Finny, since you were able to treat your father, do you think you can do the same for Max?”

“Quiana, Finny has never even attended university. How is he able to treat illnesses?” Adrian asked, clearly taken aback.

Having recalled the incident from the day before, Melinda beamed with joy. “Oh, that's right! Finny, you could tell that Max has leukemia, so does that mean you can treat it too?”

Finnegan glanced at his mother and huffed in exasperation. “Mom, if I can diagnose the condition, I can also treat it. However, I won't treat those who are disloyal, unfilial, and immoral.”

Hmph. Uncle Adrian and his family are guilty of three of my ten non-treatment rules. There's no way I'll help them.

Finnegan's gaze darkened as he let out a bitter chuckle. Ha! Why am I not surprised? “Go with her, then. Mom is old and in poor health, so there's no way the doctor will approve her as a donor. You'll be fine, too. Max's leukemia isn't that easily curable.”

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