The Weight of the Past

Ouadie Rhabbouron

We chose a hotel room because we knew you’d follow his location. We never touched each other, Lauren. Not once. It was all a twisted, desperate theater to save my life and ensure you got the financial security you deserved from his family’s wealth.

Mark ruined his reputation and lost the only woman he ever loved so I could live another ten years. Please don’t hate him. Hate me.

The Aftermath

The paper slipped from my fingers, fluttering down into the box.

The anger that had fueled my life for a decade evaporated, replaced by a cold, hollow shock. I looked at the medical receipts in the box—every single one paid for by a shell company registered in Mark’s name.

“Lauren? You find something?” Dad’s voice called out from the kitchen.

I looked at the image of the man pointing accusingly from the warning sign on Clara’s desk—a reminder to be careful with your heart. I realized then that my anger hadn’t protected me; it had just kept me blind.

“No, Dad,” I choked out, wiping a hot tear from my cheek as I clutched the journal to my chest. “Just… some old memories. I think I’m going to stay for the funeral after all.”

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Three types of people who rarely encounter cancer – the experience of an oncologist with over 30 years of practiceFor more than three decades in oncology, I have seen everything from despair and pain to incredible cases of cure. During these years, I have noticed a pattern that is difficult to deny. There are certain categories of people who almost never get into the oncology statistics. Their lifestyle, thinking and habits build an invisible shield that the body uses as a natural defense against cancer. Of course, no one can give an absolute guarantee – cancer is a complex and insidious disease that develops under the influence of many factors. But observations show that people in these three categories have a significantly lower risk of developing cancer. And the best thing is that each of us can consciously join them. 1. The mindful — people who manage stress, not succumb to it These are not people who don’t have problems. The difference is that they know how to deal with them. Chronic stress is a real poison for the body — it undermines the immune system, which is our main defense against cancer cells. As long as the immune system is strong, it promptly detects and destroys “damaged” cells before they become a threat. What distinguishes them: They do not store emotions inside themselves, but find a healthy way to relieve tension – through talking to a loved one, visiting a psychologist, keeping a diary,

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