Wanted 6

 

Chapter 6 

Zoe’s condition worsened. She was barely conscious most of the time. 

Right then, I realized there was no point in keeping up the treatment anymore. 

I gave up on those painful treatments that only made me suffer, asking the doctor to just give me a placebo 

instead. 

I wanted to die with Zoe, so at least we could look out for each other in heaven. 

Somehow, Brandon found out. 

For the first time ever, he went against my wishes and just walked right into my room. 

His eyes were all red, like he was going to cry. “Viola, don’t quit on the treatment, okay?” 

I shook my head. “No, being alive just hurts too much.” 

“Why would it hurt? As long as you’re still alive, there’s hope. Keegan and I are right here with you. Could you bear to leave us behind?” 

I shot Brandon a puzzled look. “I’ve already moved on. Did you forget? We’re already divorced. I don’t even want Keegan anymore.” 

Brandon grabbed my hand. “That’s not true. If you want, we could get back together anytime. Please, don’t give up on the treatment-do it for us, okay?” 

I yanked my hand away from him. “No, I don’t want to get back together with you. I already gave you to Tanya. Why aren’t you off with Tanya instead of pestering me every day? 

“Besides, there’s really nothing wrong with dying. My parents are waiting for me in heaven too, so I won’t be alone.” 

When Brandon heard that, he couldn’t hold back anymore and started crying. “But I don’t want you to die, Viola. I don’t want you to leave me. 

“I don’t love Tanya anymore. It’s been over between Tanya and me for ages. Viola, I’m in love with you. I was just too blind to see it before. 

“Viola, I’ve been such an idiot. Can you forgive me, just this once?” 

I gazed out the window at the blue sea. With what little strength I had left, I shook my head. 

It was too late now. 

I still kept Brandon and Keegan barred from my room, but whenever I dozed off, they’d sneak in anyway. 

These days, I was out cold most of the time. I barely had the energy to keep them out. 

Chapter 6 

I didn’t want to forgive them either. If I did, I’d be letting down the person I used to be. 

** 

5 vouchers. 

One night, Keegan crept up to my bed. 

His eyes were all red as he looked at me, then shot a look at Zoe, who was lying on the other side. 

He whispered, “Mom, can I sleep with you for a little while?” 

His voice was so soft that I just couldn’t bring myself to turn him away. I let him snuggle up beside me. 

The moment he got into bed, Keegan wrapped his arms around my neck, clinging to me the way he used to when he was a baby. He had been so reliant on me then. 

He choked out tearfully, “Mommy, they say you’re gonna die. Is that true? 

“I don’t want you to die. I know I was naughty before and made you sad, but I really don’t want you to die. 

“Mommy, I want to eat your cakes again. I want to eat the food you make. 

“Do you know how many times that awful Tanya put me in the hospital with her cooking or the stuff she bought? She never really cared about me. 

“Mommy, you love me most-I know now. I didn’t know any better before. 

“I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me, okay? Please don’t die. I love you so much.” 

Surrounded by Keegan’s tearful apologies and heartfelt confessions, I drifted off into a blurry sleep. 

I really was just too weak. I couldn’t even lift my hand to hug him. 

If I’d heard Keegan say all this back then, it would’ve given me the strength to fight back, to take on my illness. 

But now, it was all too late. 

***** 

Zoe passed away in my arms. 

She’d been asleep for a long time, but then all of a sudden, she woke 

Her eyes were very bright. She turned to me and said, “Mommy, can you do my hair? I want the braids you did for me the other day.” 

I nodded. “Of course, honey.” 

Once I finished her hair, she nestled her head against my shoulder. “Mommy, I’m so sleepy. Can I snuggle up with you and take a nap? Can we watch Peppa Pig together until we fall asleep?” 

“Sure, sweetheart.” 

I turned on Peppa Pig, and we watched it together. 

Zoe was so tired, she kept nodding off in my arms. 

She whispered, “Mommy, how many episodes of Peppa Pig are there? I really want to finish it, but I’m just too sleepy.” 

I smiled. “I have no idea, but I bet there are tons of episodes. Why don’t we finish watching them together when you wake up?” 

Zoe shook her head. “Mommy, I don’t think I’ll wake up again. I really don’t want to leave you. If there’s a chance, can you be my real mom-just mine? I love you so, so much.” 

I gently stroked her back. “Mommy loves you so much too. It’s a promise—I’ll be your real mom.” 

“Thank you, Mommy. I’m just so tired… I think I have to go now. I want you to have my favorite doll. When you hold her, it’ll be just like you’re holding me. Let her stay with you, okay?” 

And then Zoe died. 

She was buried right next to her biological mother. 

I bought a plot in the same cemetery, just nearby. 

I wanted to be close to Zoe.