Chapter 3

In the next instant, an overwhelming sense of lightness enveloped me as my soul detached from my body, floating freely in the air.

Looking down, I saw my lifeless form sprawled on the hospital bed, my face ghostly pale, and my midsection a grotesque wreck.

The nurse's voice pierced the air, frantic and desperate, "Quick, the patient's heart has stopped!"

"Save her, she's just a child," another voice pleaded nearby, laced with urgency and despair.

Patients in the ward murmured in sorrow, "Such a tragedy, someone so young. I heard her daughter was even worse off."

"Exactly, where's her husband? Why hasn’t he arrived yet?"

My daughter—where was she?

Panicked, I scanned the area, but she was nowhere in sight.

Then, more urgent voices echoed.

"The patient isn’t going to make it; notify the family immediately."

I dashed forward, forcing my way into the operating room.

There, on the operating table, lay my daughter, her face ashen, a horrifying gash across her abdomen.

One glance stole my breath, leaving my heart achingly empty.

My daughter, my precious child whom I carried for nine months, had already departed.

I clasped my hand over my mouth, unable to suppress the sobs that wracked my being.

"The girl’s father finally answered the phone," a nurse announced, rushing in.

"But he accused us of lying and hung up."

Dr. Philip Gilbert, striving to save my daughter, looked defeated and heaved a heavy sigh. "How can this be happening?"

I floated closer, yearning to touch my daughter, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t bridge the gap.

Just hours ago, she had clung to me, sweetly asking for her favorite treats.

At that moment, Chris and I had been embroiled in an argument.

He insisted I attend a Thanksgiving dinner.

But I explained that I hadn’t been feeling well for a long time and had been vomiting blood.

I had an appointment today for a check-up and asked him to accompany me.

He snapped, "I know you can’t stand Eleanor. If you don’t want to go, just say so. Don’t fake illness to weasel out of it!"

"Eleanor invited you out of kindness, and this is how you act—it’s appalling!"

I tried to clarify, but he wouldn’t listen.

In frustration, I burst out, "Do you truly not trust me at all?"

Enraged, he drove recklessly down the wrong side of the highway, trying to frighten me.

Now, there’s no need for fear, as both my daughter and I are gone.