Love That Transcends Even Death

Lawso

e thick tension that seemed to cling to the air like a shroud. I watched Carmelita

lurch that sent her sprawling. A sharp crack echoed

I cried, ru

the cake box flying, and with a sickening crunch, my beautiful, carefully chosen "ocean symphony" cake – a delic

Shattered. Just li

was faster. He was already there, his arms around Ca

derness that sent a fresh wave of pain through me. He didn'

ee me. He didn't feel my concern. I was a ghost in my own living room.

ruly hit me. Her lips pressed into a tight line, a silent apology, perhaps. Or maybe, an affirmat

ened, a strange mix of accusation and defensiveness. "Alycia, why w

He was blaming me? For her clumsiness? I felt a cold knot form in my stomach. Was this what I had bec

lls, so lovingly crafted, were crushed, their delicate beauty destroyed. It was a

ve this world with a modicum of peace, without their deceit hanging heavy in the air. They deserved happiness, eve

ine, Kyle. Accidents happen." My voice sounded unnervingly calm, e

a closer look. I gently took Carmelita's hand, examining

my voice softening despite the chaos i

istening. "Alycia, I'm so sorry. The cake... your bi

urt." I squeezed her arm, trying to convey a warmth I didn't feel. "Honestly, I'm just happy to have you both here. That'

towels for the cake. And a first-aid kit for Carmelita." He m

ice flat. "Just focus on Carmelita. I can clean this up

ring into a million pieces, even if my time was running out. I ju

skin felt cold through her shirt. I turned on the light, t

septic," I said, reaching

ulders slumped. "Alycia, I... I feel terrible. A

sweetie? It was an accident. We'll order a new cake tomorrow. Or better ye

er eyes. "Not just the cake. Everythin

s be my sister." The words caught in my throat. I meant them, with every fiber of my being. She was my family. More than family. She

tears, her lips trembling. She said nothing, only watched

s scanning Carmelita, then me. He cleared his throat again. "The cake area is clean. I got you a new o

The ocean symphony was gone, replaced by somethi

lly and emotionally. Kyle placed the small, white cake box on the coffee table. The air wa

her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug.

fort. I wish them happiness. I wish them a life together, free fro

lled me towards the coffee table. "Okay, first presents!" she chirped. She grabbe

gaze fixed on Carmelita. He watched her, not me, his eyes full of an intensity that made my chest tighten. M

to his voice. He grabbed another box, almost identical in size an

him. "No way! Ladies firs

gh me. It was so easy for them, this playful dynamic, this natural connection.

hem both at the same time, then there's no favoritism." I held up

inside. I opened Carmelita's first. Inside, on a bed of white satin, lay a delicate silver chain. Attached to it, a s

My hand trembled a

in. And on it, a pendant shaped like a majestic mountain ran

yes were wide, fixed on the matching jewelry. Carmelita's face drained of