Just then, Healer Petra stepped out of the operating room.
The three of them rushed over, eager to ask how the surgery went.
I snapped back to the present, my chest clenching as I watched them. I wanted to know how they would react once they found out
I was dead.
Removing her gloves wearily, Healer Petra said, “The surgery was a success. The kidney was transplanted smoothly. It’s just that
the donor-”
Before she could finish, her assistant wheeled Laila out of the operating room.
The three of them immediately surrounded her, too caught up to hear the rest of what Healer Petra had to say.
And my body? It was tossed aside, left in the cold morgue like nothing.
A wave of sorrow washed through me. No one cared about me when I was alive, but I couldn’t believe that even now, after I was
dead, no one bothered to claim my body.
Did I really not deserve to be loved?
I had already given in over and over again, always trying to please everyone. I didn’t ask for much–I just wanted Mom, Dad, and
Simon to love me a bit more.
But even in death, I got nothing.
Now, the three of them were gathered around Laila’s bed, anxiously waiting for her to wake.
When her eyes finally fluttered open, Mom burst into tears of joy. “Sweetheart, you’re finally awake. I was so worried…”
“That’s my daughter–brave and kind,” Dad said, smiling proudly. “I’m so proud of you.”
Simon pulled out the lavish moonstone necklace and gently fastened it around Laila’s neck. “Your favorite moonstone’s been
protecting you this whole time. I hope it keeps bringing you good luck.”
A faint blush crept onto her face. She glanced at him shyly and whispered, “Simon, you’ll always stay by my side too…”
