Chapter 8
On the day my body was cremated, Mila stood dazedly beside Stephen.
In just a few days, her face that I’d nourished to rosy plumpness turned gaunt and pale.
She stared at my tombstone, whispering to Stephen, “Daddy, will I never see Mommy again?”
Stephen ruffled her hair, unable to bring himself to say the dead don’t return.
Mila puckered her lips defiantly, “How dare she abandon me!”
“She obviously ran off with someone. Aunt Dorothy said she never loved me.”
Stephen’s voice cracked, fat tears rolling down his cheeks.
He crouched and pinched her cheek like I used to comfort her.
“Mommy didn’t abandon you. She left to give you her heart.”
“She kept only one eye so Daddy could keep seeing the world.”
“Mila, Mommy loved you more than anyone ever could.”
She frowned, delicate brows knitting, “But Aunt Dorothy said…”
Stephen cut her off coldly, agony shredding his restraint as he spat the raw truth.
“It was Dorothy who killed your mother! Never mention that bitch again!”
Mila flinched, tears pooling as she nodded uncertainly.
That night, while sorting my belongings, Stephen found what I’d left them.
After the artificial heart transplant, I’d felt my body failing.
Fearing sudden death, I’d secretly prepared these gifts.
Birthday presents for Mila from age seven to eighteen, wrapped with care and paired with my videos.
[“Happy 7th birthday, Mila. Mommy hand–sewed this dress, hoping my princess stays forever radiant.“]
[“Happy 12th birthday, Mila. You’re in middle school now–wonder if any boy’s slipped you love notes? Hope Daddy guards you well.“]
[“Happy 18th birthday, Mila. You’re grown now, surely understanding where Mommy went. This year’s gift: a paint-
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Chapter 8
ing I made while carrying you.“]
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[“Your heartbeat echoed in my womb. No one longed for your arrival more, or wishes you lifelong happiness more fiercely than Mommy.“]
In the darkness, Stephen finished all my videos.
Finally realizing Dorothy had stolen my most treasured artwork.
Trembling, he unfolded my letter to him.
[“Stephen, never imagined we’d become bitter strangers, or that I’d shove you toward another woman.“]
[“During midnight tears, I’ve questioned donating my organs. But you couldn’t wait for donor matches–I needed you both healthy.“]
[“I hoped you’d never learn the transplant truth while I lived, so you’d live unburdened.“]
[“I won’t stop you seeing Dorothy. If I’m gone, she’s best suited to care for you both.“]
[“This letter means I’ve departed.“]
[“If our daughter asks, tell her I’m gathering stars for her. Mommy’s love still beats inside her chest.“]
[“Stephen, find happiness too.“]
Stephen crumpled the paper in his stiff hand, then cradled it against his chest.
He knelt on the floor, covered his face and wept, a hoarse roar tearing from his throat.
“Michelle, I know I was wrong. Please see me one more time.”
“Michelle, hate me, hit me, anything–just don’t leave me…”
“My love, I miss you so much.”
“Our daughter and I… we’re just what you left behind in this world.”
He gouged out his right eye, ignoring the gushing blood.
“Michelle, I don’t want your eye anymore. Please come back.”
He collapsed in the pool of blood and was rushed to the hospital by the butler.
Xiao Man crept timidly from the shadows behind the door.
Staring at the frozen image of my smiling face on the recording, she murmured softly, “Mommy, will I ever see you again?”
“You’re lying, right? Like last time, you’ll come back after leaving.”
“Xiao Man will be good, I promise. Please don’t abandon me.”
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Chapter 8
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Countless times I longed to hold her, yet could only watch helplessly as she curled up beside the TV and fell asleep.
Stephen returned home blind in one eye.
An invisible barrier rose between him and Xiao Man; they only spoke with any life when mentioning me.
Xiao Man secretly cut her arms with a knife. The worst was when she tried to carve out her own heart.
After being hospitalized, she was diagnosed with mental illness, becoming the facility’s youngest patient.
As I departed, she pressed a hand to her chest and whispered skyward, “Mommy, I will find you.”
Tears welled in my eyes.
All I pray now is that Stephen and Xiao Man live out their days in peace.
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