Chapter 4

It was David, sounding frantic.

"Eleanor! The hospital just called—Lily's dead!"

Mom went rigid.

She opened her mouth, but only a bitter laugh came out.

"Enough!"

"David, don't fall for her games."

"You know what? She's been sneaking him money every month, right under my nose."

"Sick in the hospital? Please. She's just scamming me for cash to give that man!"

David paused.

"But... it was from Lily's phone. The nurse gave me her patient ID."

"So what? She texts me yesterday, and now she's 'dead'?"

"If something really happened, why wouldn't she call me? Her own mother?"

Because you blocked my number, Mom...

My chest ached.

But I couldn't blame her.

Mom's anxiety made her block out anything too painful.

She probably didn't even remember blocking me.

David went quiet.

Mom hung up without another word.

Then Mia started coughing hard.

Mom snapped to attention, feeling Mia's burning forehead.

"Mia, you're burning up! Why didn't you tell me you felt sick?"

"Didn't wanna worry you, Mommy," Mia whispered weakly.

I looked away, ashamed.

I was ashamed of myself.

Mia was sick but tried not to worry Mom.

I only ever caused problems.

Mom took Mia to the hospital.

The same one I died in.

As they left with Mia's prescription, Mom heard nurses talking.

"Poor kid. No family came to claim her."

"College student, too. Such a waste."

"This flu is brutal. Killed her in days."

Mom slowed down.

"Her mom blocked the hospital calls. Can you believe that?"

"Her stepdad said he'd come, but never showed."

Mom stopped walking.

Something clicked in her head.

She pulled out her phone and checked our messages.

There it was—she'd blocked me.

Her face went white.

"No wonder she didn't check in... I blocked her."

"I'll forgive her. Just don't do it again, Lily."

She unblocked me and called.

No answer.

Her hands shook as she tried again.

A covered gurney rolled past.

The hospital doors whooshed open, blowing cold air.