The messages Denise sent about her health received vague, almost disinterested responses. One email, in particular, was the pinnacle of that indifference. The subject line read: “Quick question” and was related to money, something that seemed to be the only concern in her parents’ lives.
Denise opened the email, perhaps hoping for a show of interest in her well-being. But no. There wasn’t a word about her health, not a simple “How are you?” Just a financial request: “$3,000 for the wedding.”
Denise’s stomach twisted, not from the effects of the treatment, but from the emptiness she felt when she realized that, for her parents, Madison’s wedding was far more important than their daughter’s cancer. She didn’t need money, she didn’t want money, she just needed love and support. But that request was the final blow.
Although Denise’s diagnosis had been devastating, it was her parents’ behavior that truly affected her. Their emotional abandonment, their failure to listen to her needs, their focus only on Madison’s wedding, left a deep wound that never healed. That wound, though invisible, spread in Denise’s heart as she watched her parents ignore her pain, both physical and emotional.
Eliia’s Journey: A Child’s Strength
Eliia was the only person who didn’t abandon her. Throughout the months of treatment, the little girl became her most loyal companion, always there, with a smile when she needed it most. When Denise felt exhausted, discouraged, or even terrified by the effects of chemotherapy, Eliia was there to remind her that not all was lost. Her strength, her kindness, her ability to be there without asking for anything in return gave Denise the energy she couldn’t find anywhere else.
On the darkest nights, when Denise could barely eat, Eliia would bring her hot soup and snuggle up next to her. “Was today a good day, Mom?” she would ask every night. And when Denise sighed in response, Eliia would say, “Okay, then I’ll be strong today.”
Eliia’s wisdom, her ability to stay positive in the midst of adversity, left a lasting impression on Denise. She was a child, but her soul was stronger than that of many adults. Every night before bed, Eliia would tell her stories, talk about her day at school, her friends, her dreams. Although she couldn’t fully understand her mother’s suffering, she understood that her unconditional love and support were what she needed most at that moment.
Denise’s Strength: The Moment of Truth
The day Denise opened the envelope containing the evidence of her illness, the truth became clearer than ever. Her fight was not only against cancer, but also against the indifference of her own family. Every day, she faced chemotherapy and the after-effects of her illness, but what hurt her most was seeing that her parents, far from supporting her, remained focused on their own interests. At first, she tried to talk to them, but their responses were always cold and distant. The most painful moment was when her mother hung up on her in the middle of her call, without any empathy.
But despite all this, Denise decided not to give up. She didn’t do it for her family, who had already proven themselves unequal, but for Eliia. She did it for the little girl who, at her young age, had given her the strength to keep fighting.
As the treatment progressed, Denise decided to take a step back. She stopped expecting anything from her parents. She began to focus on what truly mattered: her health, her daughter, her peace of mind. And although the days of chemotherapy were long and exhausting, she found solace in the small moments of happiness she shared with Eliia. She didn’t need her parents’ support to keep going. She had already learned that all she needed was the love and support of her daughter.
The Last Act of Courage: Denise’s Will
À la fin de son traitement, Denise a décidé de faire quelque chose qu’elle savait pour la libérer encore plus : elle a laissé un testament dans lequel elle s’assurait que tout ce qui restait de sa succession serait donné à Eliia, afin de lui garantir un avenir sans les limitations qu’elle avait elle-même connues. Dans le testament, elle a également laissé une lettre à ses parents, expliquant ce qu’elle ressentait. Dans ce livre, elle leur dit que même si elle ne recevrait jamais l’amour et le soutien dont elle avait besoin, elle avait appris à être forte par elle-même et, plus important encore, avait trouvé ce qui comptait vraiment : la famille qu’elle avait choisie, celle qui avait toujours été avec elle.
Le dernier souffle : l’héritage de Denise
Lorsque Denise est décédée, ce n’était pas un jour de tristesse, mais de réflexion. Autour d’elle, les gens qui l’aimaient vraiment, en particulier Eliia, pleuraient sa disparition. Mais au fond d’elle-même, elle savait qu’elle avait vécu une vie pleine de sens. Bien que son combat contre la maladie ait été ardu, elle a laissé derrière elle un héritage qui ne se mesure pas en argent ou en possessions, mais en amour, en résilience et en courage. Sa fille continuerait son héritage, non seulement en tant que fille, mais aussi en témoignage de tout ce que sa mère avait enseigné : la vraie force vient de l’intérieur, et le véritable amour ne se mesure pas à ce que nous avons, mais à ce que nous sommes capables de donner.
