“Olivia, since this villa is going to be for Aunt Hailey now, why don’t you pick out a room for her?”
“Do you want the ocean-view master bedroom, or your room?”
Olivia’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Can I really choose?!”
I gave her a faint smile.
“Once you choose a room, you can be with Aunt Hailey every day. She can be with you all the time.”
“Think carefully about which one you want.”
Olivia jumped up and down. “I want the ocean-view master bedroom! It’s the prettiest! You’re the best, Mommy!”
With that, she pulled her hand from mine and ran to Hailey. “Aunt Hailey, can we live in the ocean-view room from now on?”
My father, brother, and Zane watched the scene, their faces beaming with approval.
I turned and left, taking one last look back at them.
My father and brother were with Hailey, doting on Olivia, while Zane stood by, a smile on his face.
I wondered if he even remembered that he’d bought this house in the first place because I told him I wanted to live by the sea.
“This way, Clara,” he had said back then, his eyes overflowing with love, “you can see your beloved ocean every single day.”
But now, there was no trace of me left in his eyes.
I closed the villa door and walked away.
With only 24 hours left to live, I had nowhere to go.
The damp, salty air of the Sound washed over my face.
I boarded the ferry to the small island across Puget Sound.
The dizziness was getting stronger, my vision blackening in waves.
I knew I couldn’t hold on much longer.
Before the darkness swallowed me whole, I fumbled in my purse for my phone.
With my last shred of strength, I made one final call.
Then everything went black. I knew no more.
