Chapter 2 She's Gone
964 Words
"Doctor, how is my daughter...?"
My voice trembled as I asked, but the doctor only shook his head in silence. My legs nearly gave out beneath me.
A small hospital bed was slowly wheeled out. Lillian lay there peacefully, her tiny hand still clutching a worn-out teddy bear.
It was the last birthday gift Sebastian had ever given her three years ago—though, in reality, it had just been a freebie that came with Ethan's present.
I reached out with a shaking hand, but all I felt was an unbearable coldness. At that moment, the last shred of my rationality shattered. I pulled her small, lifeless body into my arms.
"Lillian, sweetheart, open your eyes and look at Mommy. Lillian, I can't do this without you. Lillian..."
It felt like my heart had been hollowed out. I clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably.
I had no idea how much time had passed. Eventually, my tears dried up, leaving the fabric of her clothes soaked.
People around me whispered words of comfort, telling me to stay strong. I knew I couldn't collapse—I had to take care of my daughter's final arrangements.
Holding her fragile body, I stood up and made my way toward the funeral home.
My phone had long since died, and every last dollar I had went toward her medical bills. With no other choice, I walked the entire way.
By the time I finally arrived, the sky had begun to lighten.
A kindhearted young woman greeted me at the front desk. She handed me a cup of warm water and a phone charger, her voice gentle as she said, "There's an opening in four hours. If you'd like, I can help arrange everything."
I numbly thanked her, then sat down in the funeral home's lobby, still holding Lillian's cold body.
People glanced at me with a mix of sympathy and confusion, but I didn't care. I just held my daughter close, unwilling to let go.
Then, my phone rang.
I glanced at the screen—Sebastian.
Bitterness welled up inside me. After everything that happened last night, I didn't know what to say. But he was still Lillian's father.
She had wanted to see him so badly before she passed. Now, she was leaving forever. The least I could do was give him a chance to say goodbye.
I swallowed back my tears and answered the call.
"Sebastian, Lillian is gone. I'm at Southgate Memorial Park. You have four hours—"
Before I could finish, his furious voice cut me off.
"Juliana, I was just celebrating Isabella and Ethan's birthday. Do you have to make a scene all night? And now you're cursing our child?"
A chill ran through me. Even now, he still didn't believe me.
To Sebastian, no matter what I did, I was always in the wrong.
Suddenly, I had no energy left to explain.
"Believe whatever you want, Sebastian. In four hours, at Southgate Memorial Park. If you don't come, you'll regret it."
From the other end of the line, I could hear muffled voices—a woman, a child. Then Sebastian's tone shifted, turning cold with irritation.
"Juliana, you're a mother too. Can't you be a little more understanding toward Isabella? And you took Lillian and the dog out all night. Now Ethan won't stop crying for the dog. Bring them both back."
I let out a soft laugh. So that was why he called.
Not because he cared where I had gone, not because he was worried about Lillian.
It was all about that damn dog.
"Sebastian, I actually thought you called to ask where your wife and daughter had been all night. Turns out, in your eyes, the two of us don't even matter as much as Isabella's dog."
The moment I said it, I recalled the voices in the background—the woman, the child.
My voice turned sharp with mockery.
"Wow, Sebastian. Your wife and daughter were in trouble all night, and you didn't care. Instead, you spent the night playing house with another woman and her child. Honestly, anyone who didn't know better would think they were your real family."
That struck a nerve. He snapped at me in anger.
"Juliana! It's not what you think! There's nothing inappropriate between Isabella and me! Now bring the dog back, or else—"
I scoffed. I didn't even want to argue anymore.
"Go check the streets near our house. Maybe you'll still find your precious dog there." My voice turned ice-cold. "Sebastian, I have nothing more to say to you. I'll tell you one last time—four hours, Southgate Memorial Park. Show up or don't."
I hung up.
Moments later, his number flashed across my screen again.
Staring at the call notification, I let out a laugh, hugging my daughter closer.
But as I laughed, tears streamed down my face.
Sebastian rarely called me. More often than not, he wouldn't even answer my calls. When he was angry, he would block me without hesitation.
Just like last night. Even when our daughter was dying, he had ignored me—too busy celebrating another child's birthday.
And now?
Now, he was calling me over and over again.
All because of a dog.
Love and indifference had never been clearer.
Seven years of marriage, and yet, in his heart, I still didn't matter.
Neither did our daughter.
I clung to Lillian's stiff body, pressing my tear-streaked face against her cold little cheek.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Mommy will love you enough for the both of us."
People around me whispered words of sympathy, their kindness making the ache in my heart even worse.
Even strangers cared more than Sebastian did.
Four hours passed quickly.
I turned toward the funeral home's entrance, waiting.
- Writer
