Chapter 557
“Mom, you love soaking in hot springs and swimming, right? Maybe you just picked it up from a public pool or hot spring without realizing it.”
Cathy thought for a moment and said, “Come to think of it, I did go swimming at the pool once about a month ago.”
Donald said reassuringly, “Yeah, that’s probably how it happened. Let’s not suspect each other anymore.”
Werner fell silent for a moment before retorting, “Your mother was the one who accused me first. I’m no cheating bastard, that’s for damn sure. And you should stay away from places like that from now on.”
With that, he turned and stormed off to his bedroom.
Leaning against the door, guilt-ridden, Werner clutched his chest and let out a shaky breath. After locking the door, he immediately grabbed his phone and made a call.
He thought, ‘That night was a complete blur. I blacked out from drinking. What if it was that night? If so, everything I’ve worked for my entire life would be ruined.’
Werner said into the phone, “Hey, Liam. It’s me. Listen, I need to ask you something about the day before I came back from Shaville.”
In the living room, Cathy said, “I’ve never been unfaithful. I’m a woman of impeccable hygiene and morals.”
Donald sighed and said, “Mom, I know neither you nor Dad would ever cheat. Don’t overthink it. It’s not a serious condition, and it’ll clear up soon.”
Donald glanced at Jennifer, hoping she could say something to help smooth things over.
Jennifer spoke up bluntly, “You’ve tested positive for two high-risk mucosal strains. The only transmission route is sexual contact. Getting it from swimming is extremely unlikely.”
Cathy’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at Jennifer in confusion.
Donald frowned and called, “Jennifer!”
Jennifer said, “I’m just stating the facts. As head of the gynecology department, I must tell the truth.”
Cathy pressed, “What truth? So how on earth did I get infected?”
Donald said, “Mom, let’s not overthink this. Jennifer was just speaking her mind. Don’t take it to heart, okay?”
Donald pulled Jennifer into their bedroom and shut the door firmly behind them. He asked, “Jennifer, why’d you say it like that to Mom?”
Jennifer said, “I’m just stating the facts. My diagnosis is never wrong–otherwise, Vincent wouldn’t have fast-tracked my promotion.”
Donald said firmly, “But my parents would never cheat on each other. Why do you have to make them suspect one another? I trust them completely.”
Jennifer took a deep breath and said, “But as a doctor, I can’t lie. Your mom has two high-risk strains.”
Donald gently squeezed her shoulders and said, “Could you just stay out of this, please? We’ve had enough family drama lately; I don’t want any more trouble.”
Noticing how weary Donald looked, Jennifer let out a soft sigh, wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face in his chest.
She said, “Fine, have it your way then. I’ll stay out of this. I only said all that for your sake.”
“Good, just stay out of it then,” Donald said, quickly releasing Jennifer and walking out.
However, Jennifer’s blunt words left Cathy with no choice but to be suspicious. She immediately reached out to the doctor who had conducted her previous check-ups.
The doctor was equally baffled. She said, “Medically speaking, your previous screenings had never shown any issues.”
Cathy asked hesitantly, “Dr. Yaffe, do you think my daughter-in-law might have made a mistake with my examination? I know she’s the department head at Nareigh General Hospital, but even the best doctors can get it wrong sometimes, right?”
Upon hearing this, the doctor immediately reassured her, “There should be no mistake. I suggest you take your husband to get tested as well.
“If he has a problem, treating both partners simultaneously will help you recover faster; otherwise, reinfection could easily occur.”
Cathy nodded and said, “Dr. Yaffe, I’ll follow your advice.”
Werner, however, flat-out refused to get tested. He said, “I am in perfect health and don’t need any examinations whatsoever.”