AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’ll be there, Mila,” I promised as I dashed to the parking lot. “Stay strong.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Mila
The hum of the hospital monitors provided a somber backdrop as we huddled together in the sterile room, our chairs drawn close to Dad’s bed. Chad clutched a crumpled comic book, while Rachel’s small fingers were interwoven with mine, her nails digging in a little too tight.
Dad’s eyes fluttered open, a hint of that familiar twinkle surfacing as he gazed upon us. “Hey, my little troopers,” he murmured, his voice barely above the beeping machines.
Chad leaned in, his voice unsteady. “Dad, are you… are you gonna be okay?”
A gentle smile curved Dad’s lips. “I’m gonna be just fine, champ. I’ll be in a place where pain can’t touch me.” He lifted a trembling hand and rested it atop Chad’s head. “You’re the man of the house when I’m gone. Look after your sisters for me.”
Chad nodded solemnly, his eyes shimmering with tears.
“And my little Rachel,” Dad continued, turning to her with a weak gesture of his head. She crawled closer on the bed, laying her head beside his on the pillow.
“Always stay as sweet and strong as you are now,” he said softly. “I’ll be watching over you all from above.”
Rachel sniffled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. “Will you… will you really watch us?”
“Every step of the way,” Dad reassured her, a note of finality in his voice.
I bit back my own sorrow, determined to be strong for them. “We’ll make you proud, Dad. We promise.”
His gaze met mine and for a moment we shared an understanding that transcended words—a father and daughter saying goodbye without speaking it aloud.
I squeezed Chad’s hand tighter, feeling his tiny fingers grip mine in return. Dad’s gaze met mine again, and for a moment, time stilled. I saw the flicker of love and pride in his tired eyes—his silent way of saying everything he couldn’t voice out loud.
“It’s okay to rest now,” I whispered to him, my voice breaking with the words I never wanted to say.
Dad nodded faintly, his eyes closing. The steady beeping slowed until it merged into one long, unending tone that filled the room with its finality.
“No…” Chad whimpered beside me.
Rachel let out a wail that shattered the fragile silence we’d been keeping. I pulled them both into my arms as the nurses rushed in, their steps too late, their faces somber with the knowledge that their presence could no longer alter the course we’d just witnessed.
After what felt like an eternity of paperwork and soft-spoken condolences from hospital staff, we returned home—our home now feeling too large, too empty without Dad’s presence.
It wasn’t long before Brenda burst through the door, her face flushed with indignation. “What’s all this I’m hearing about Theo?” she demanded.
I stood tall, despite the exhaustion clawing at my bones. “He passed away,” I said flatly, not bothering to cushion the blow for her.
Brenda blinked back her surprise before it morphed into poorly masked concern. “Oh… how tragic,” she sighed with a hand dramatically placed over her heart.
I eyed her warily. “You’re too late.”
“Well,” Brenda huffed, shifting gears as she eyed the room like a hawk surveying its territory. “We’ll need to discuss finances—I’m sure there are arrangements—”
“The free ride is over,” I cut her off sharply.
Her eyes narrowed at me. “What are you implying?”
“You heard me.” I stepped closer until we were almost nose to nose. “You married Dad thinking you’d live comfortably on his nonexistent fortune.”
“I did no such thing!” Brenda protested with feigned shock.
“Save it,” I said coldly. “You’ve never lifted a finger for this family.”
