Chapter 3

I was in shock from the slap, and before I could regroup to chase after him, the phone with the cracked screen on the ground started ringing. It was Remy calling, "Emerson, have you found Noe?"

"The doctors say Alanna might not make it. Please come back quickly!"

Hearing this, I sank to the ground, feeling utterly powerless. If only Noe had come back to the hospital with me, Alanna might have had a fighting chance. But Noe was so resolute in his decision to leave. Mustering all the strength I could, I shouted into the distance, "Noe! If you don't come to the hospital today, you'll regret it for the rest of your life!"

There was no reply from him, so all I could do was drive back to the hospital. In Alanna's hospital room, her face was pale, and she reached out her trembling hand, asking for me.

"Emerson...where's my brother?"

I quickly took her hand, my voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry, Alanna. I couldn't bring your brother back..."

Alanna gave a faint smile, "It's not your fault, Emerson."

"It's my brother who didn't know what he had... You've been through so much."

At this, I couldn't hold back my tears any longer and held her, weeping. She gently patted me, her voice weakening.

"I've left something for you on my phone, Emerson."

"If you decide to split up, I support you..."

As she finished speaking, Alanna took her last breath.

"Alanna!"

Remy broke down in tears, nearly fainting as the nurse, Ivanna, helped him away. Dr. Julien and Ivanna both came in to console me, offering their sympathies. I sat in the hospital room, overwhelmed with grief and despair.

Just yesterday, Alanna was talking about how nervous she was about the engagement party. We had even planned a family trip for the weekend. I couldn't accept that Alanna was gone.

It was only when Ivanna called me to get up after a long time that I forced myself to gather some energy. I had intended to call Noe to discuss Alanna's funeral arrangements. But then I saw a post Linda had made just half an hour earlier on Facebook. It was a photo of her and Noe, snuggled up together, enjoying the view, looking so close. In that moment, I felt utterly disillusioned with Noe.

I stared blankly as the nurse moved Alanna's body away, hoping she'd have a long, healthy life in the next. Then I sent Noe a message: "Let's get a divorce."