“What happened?” I asked.
“You collapsed and started coughing up blood,” he said, watching me closely. “Zoe, let’s get you a full check-up, okay?”
“No,” I refused quickly. “You know I hate hospitals. Besides, my dad died in one.”
Just then, Ruby spoke up from the corner of the ward. “Caleb, my stomach hurts…”
Caleb immediately turned to her, his eyes filled with concern. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick again?”
She clutched her stomach, wincing dramatically. “I think the silver poisoning is acting up.”
“Alright. I’ll take you to the doctor right away.” He glanced back at me, hesitant. “Zoe, wait here for me. I’ll take her to get checked, then I’ll come right back.”
“I’m fine,” I said with a slight shake of my head. “Go with her.”
I already knew he wouldn’t be back anytime soon. Ruby would find a way to keep him busy. So, I discharged myself.
By the time he called me, night had already fallen.
“Zoe, why did you leave the hospital on your own?” Caleb sounded irritated.
“You never came back,” I said calmly. “And I didn’t want to stay there breathing in antiseptic fumes, so I left.”
“Zoe, I’m sorry,” he said with a hint of guilt. “Ruby’s silver poisoning was flaring up again. I just couldn’t leave her.”
“I understand,” I said with a smile. “Don’t worry about me.”
It was late when he finally came home. He held me tightly, his eyes full of guilt. “Zoe, I’m sorry for leaving you alone today. Ruby’s condition was serious. I couldn’t just walk away,” he explained.
I didn’t say much. “I get it. She needed you more.”
Caleb looked at me, his expression unreadable. “Zoe… we’ll be busy preparing for the bonding ceremony, so I’ll move out tomorrow. That way, I won’t be in the way.”
I agreed when he asked.
At 5:00 am, I took my final breath as I lay next to Caleb.
The next day, just before leaving, he looked at me with hesitation. Thinking I was still asleep, he gently shook my shoulders and kissed my forehead. He said, “Zoe, once all of this is over, let’s go to Snowland and see the aurora, okay?”
“Caleb, don’t you know? I’m already gone,” I thought.
Even though I was dead, my soul lingered. I watched everything unfold from beyond.
When I didn’t respond, he took my hand. The moment he felt how cold it was, his face went pale. “Zoe? Zoe? What’s wrong?”
