Lily's Last Breath, A Marriage's End

weaty palm as I screamed the

was gasping for air on the carpet, her small body co

choked out, my voice cracking

. An ambulance

against my ribs like a trapped bird. "It's okay, baby," I whisp

voice, not filled with panic, but with a l

tone soft. "I'm worried about Leo t

ay. Sarah was sitting on the edge of the bed, her back to me, completel

can't breathe! Get off th

yance. "I'm talking to David," she hissed, cuppi

is dying in th

You're overreacting, Ethan. She probably just has a cold. You always panic." S

d ever imagined. The wail of a distant siren was the only thing that br

eptic. They had rushed Lily into the emergency room, leaving me to pa

ad snapped up, desperate for news. Finally, a doctor with a

Mil

is she? Is

art. "Your daughter's condition was critical. The delay in getti

at do you mean, 'did'

said, his voice flat, devoid of

just sounds, meaningless and cruel. "You're wrong," I said, s

" he said, already turning to walk away.

out, and I collapsed onto a hard plastic chair, the doctor's cold, clinical

emembered Sarah. I pulled out my phone, my f

econd ring, her voice

His son, Leo, is finally getting his kidney transplant

ones hitting me. I cou

busy. Is Lily's fever down? Just giv

ay, my voice a dry rasp

ion. "What are you talking about? Gone where? Did you let

No, Sarah," I said, my voice bre

apped. "That's not funny. I have to go, David needs m

e, a wave of nausea washing over me. Sh

parents to me than in-laws. They arrived at the hospital within twenty minutes,

t is it? Wh

g back finally broke through, a raw, ragged sob tearing from my throa

er hand flying to her mouth

a while, Mary took out her phone, scrolling absently, her thumb moving ove

look at

of her and David, their arms around each other in a hospital waiting room. The caption read: "Miracles happen! We finally got the news

d the words. "That... that was posted after you c

d, feeling h

quiet, simmering fury. "How could she?" she whispered. "

erfect match, right now?" He looked at me, a horrible suspi

ded to hear it from her, to see some flicker of the woman I married.

told you

r so her parents could he

id. We're cel

g like poison on my tongue. "I'm at the hospital

you? Fine. You want to play this game? You stay at your precious morgue. I'm busy with people who actually matter

ohn just stared at the phone, his expression one of pure, undiluted rage. The last piece

athetic expression found us. "Mr. M

uble doors. The air grew colder. She pushed one of the doors open, revealing a small, star

L

rom my chest. "Let her go," I begged the nurse, the walls, th

king me to my knees. I crawled towar

e back gently. "Sir, I ju

ice raw. "Don't touch h

ing to it as if I could somehow warm the cold stillness beneath. I wo

ed against the rough sheet. "Li

a hospital security guard had to pull me away. I

efully pulled back the corner of the sheet. I saw a wisp of dark hair

rms, my mind finally giving up, retreating into th

f antiseptic was the same, but the light was softer. Mary

back, a tidal wave of agony. I started stru

sped, my throat raw.

ry said softly, t

has her. That doctor. He took her.

It had just been wai