She had Mila. She was safe. She should have left.
A weak smile touches her lips.
Then disappears.
"I-"
"No."
I shake my head violently. Changing my mind. Why she came back doesn’t matter. At least not right now.
"Don't answer. Just concentrate on staying with me. Save your strength.”
My chest feels like it's caving in.
"Don't say anything, baby.”
Every breath she takes sounds wrong, shallow and weak.
"I'm getting you out of here,” I’m saying the words mostly to myself.
Needing something to ground myself. Needing to believe that she won’t leave me.
I tighten my hold around her.
Already preparing to lift her.
"There's a hospital twenty minutes away,” I continue. “I’ll get you there and you’ll be fine.”
She reaches for my wrist.
"I need to say this,” her voice faint.
"Liliana-”
“Promise me you’ll take care of Mila!”
“We’ll take care of our daughter together,” I counter roughly.
She smiles weakly, "I'm so sorry, Rafaelle. This is all my fault."
The words hit harder than any bullet ever could.
“No, just stop talking.”
Tears blur my vision. I don't remember the last time I cried.
Maybe I never have.
"I'm sorry,” she repeats quietly.
I bow my head. Pressing my forehead against hers. Unable to breathe.
Her fingers brush against my jaw. Trembling.
“I love you.”
The words feel like a knife sliding between my ribs. Something breaks inside me.
