FOR ORLA: A MOTHER'S REVENGE

pitched ringing filled her ears, drowning out the surrounding noise. The words the doctor had said seemed to echo in her mind, but they didn't quite reach her. It was as if a heavy fog had set

d herself together any longer. The emptiness of the moment was overwhelming

er. It felt like a dream-no, a nightmare that she couldn't wake from. Her head rested on his shoulder, her body slack in his embrace. He carried her to the waiting room, his pace slow and steady despite th

t the window, her mind a blur of unanswered questions. The bright daylight outside felt like a cruel contrast to the darkness that

llow space that Orla's condition had carved inside of her. For two days, Liora had waited. Two days of hearing nothing but bad news. No improvement in Or

that he too was suffering. His worry was palpable, though he tried to shield her from it, and tried to be strong for both of

y the grim news Alaric had shared. They were her only family. Liora was an orphan, and she had no one else in the world to turn to, except to them. W

e worst. What does that mean? What do I need to prepare for?" She di

iora. Orla has been waiting for you to say goodbye, even with the intense pain she's in," Maeve's voic

cing. The words were too much to handle. "But she's m

u don't have to let go, Liora. But you need to accept that sometimes, the ones we lo

The pain was unbearable, a constant ache deep within her chest. She wanted to scr

You need to say goodbye, Liora," Maeve said quietly, her voice full of love and sorrow. Liora didn't respond. She just nodd

bandages. Machines beeped softly in the background, a cruel reminder of the life that was slipping away from her. The heart monitor barely made a sound, each

g she could do to stop it. She took a trembling step forward, her hand reaching out to hold Orla's. The touch was cold, and Liora had

, her heart breaking with each passing second. Her daughter's tiny chest gave a final, shallow rise-and then, nothing. The machin

ed the first time Orla had walked, her tiny steps filled with excitement. She remembered the first time Orla had spoken, her voice a sweet melod

she heard the frantic footsteps of her husband rushing into the room, his voice breaking as he called out her name, she didn't let go.

trembling as he tried to pull her away. "Liora," he s