Chapter 3

3.

Maya's vitals plummeted. The doctor, his eyes filled with sorrow, signaled for me to go inside for a final goodbye.

Only an hour ago, she had been smiling. Now, she lay there, pale and motionless, the white sheets soaked in a terrifying crimson. The sight burned my eyes, and the tears I'd been holding back finally flooded out.

Maya struggled to open her eyes. When she saw me, she tried to force a tiny smile. "Mommy… are Daddy and Hayden here? It hurts so much. I just want them to hold me."

The words choked in my throat. I didn't know how to tell her.

I couldn't bear to see the light leave her eyes while she was disappointed. "They're so worried about you, sweetie. They're driving as fast as they can."

"Really?" Her eyes brightened for a second before fading again. "You're lying, Mommy. They aren't coming. They're still mad at me because I lied. I'm not a good girl."

Each word felt like a serrated blade twisting in my heart. I could barely breathe.

"No, baby. You're the best girl in the whole world," I sobbed.

"Then why aren't they here? Mommy, can you tell them I'm sorry? I didn't mean to lie. I just saw how they stayed with Auntie Jade when she had a fever. I just wanted them to stay with me too."

She was talking about what happened three days ago.

It was Maya's birthday. We were supposed to be celebrating as a family when Jade called Silas. She claimed she had a fever. Silas immediately panicked and prepared to leave. Hayden was just as worried and insisted on going with him.

I looked at Maya's crushed expression and tried to stop them. "If she's sick, she should go to the hospital. You aren't doctors! Maya has been looking forward to this dinner for weeks. Please, don't leave."

Silas gave Maya a cold, annoyed glance. "Jade's temperature is nearly a hundred. She's all alone and has no one to drive her. We grew up together. I have to take care of her. Maya has a birthday every year. Missing one doesn't matter."

Hayden added, "Exactly. Auntie Jade is so lonely. Maya has us every single day. Why does she always have to compete with Auntie Jade?"

They walked out without looking back.

Maya waited and waited. By midnight, they still weren't home. In her desperation, she used my phone to call Silas and told him she had a high fever, hoping it would bring them back.

Silas didn't want to come, but Maya kept calling until he finally gave in.

When they arrived, Maya ran to them happily. But the moment Silas felt her forehead and realized she didn't have a fever, he pushed her away with disgust.