pte

's

My mother was fading right in front of me, no matter how hard she tried to act strong. Her smile was fragile, her skin as pale as the washed-out hospital sheets. And her eyes... the light in them was gone. She w

y ribs, not absorbing a single word I read. At eight months pregnant, the sheer weight of the triplets was agonizing. Every step was a battle, every movement a harsh reminder t

ed. The phone rang in the dark, the sh

d was deep and exhausted. "You need to

red. I didn't bother with a coat or proper shoes. I just ran. The night air bit at my s

it me like a bolt of lightning, doubling me over. Hold on, little ones, I prayed, pressing my hands against my stomach as the p

er skin was nearly translucent. Her breathing had become an agonizing ratt

with a tenderness that tore me apart. "Promi

t, dropping to my knees besi

d you'll get your life back. Don't stay alone

at seemed impossible for her frail body

assive lump stuck in my throa

don't leave me," I whisp

t like she used to when I was a

rely audible whisper. "Look through my things... you

riddle, but there was no time to ask what she meant. Her e

the heart mo

it sl

d into an endless

hin

even though I alread

into my memory before they took her away forever. The grief hit me like a tidal wave, drowning me in an unbearable empti

pun out of focus. I clutched my stomach as the pain spiked, wa

was when

e Va

the wall, comp

pin

his armor. His face was contorted, his eyes bloodshot. His hands were tangled in his hair as if h

, ignoring the tight cr

at... what happen

p. His eyes were holl

orn. Suddenly, he exploded, slamming his

olently, his entire body convul

t the brakes. She... she died

ck. I couldn't catch my breath. Another contraction seized m

d, covering my mo

block out the nightmare, then let out a

venomous grief. He punched the wall again, the sickening thud ringing out. "She didn't w

t the overwhelming pain quickl

dead. Dead be

his expression instantly shifted. It harden

g finger at me, his face contorted by a toxic mix of guilt and rage. "If we hadn't insisted! If

l blow radiated straight down to my belly as another contraction

managed to gasp, my voice shaking, tear

s children. He only saw a living reminder of his

! The full contract. Double! Whatever you want! But I don't want those kids. I can't! Not... no

abdomen flared. The contractions were coming in rapid waves now; t

completely broken, doubling over as ano

, his fists clenching until his knuckles turned stark white.

sterile hallway. He left me completely alone in the emptiness

A deposit. Double the contract amount. Triple. It w

ould feel the storm raging outside. The agony of labor forced me to brace myself against the wall. I was

t lost my

just lost

tle babies... had j

y arms. Tears soaked into the taut fabric of my shirt as ano

by sobs and physical agony. "Not like me... not like him... not li

me: they were the only family I had left. They were the only thing giving