Dead.

The next day, a sharp ring of Viola’s phone startled her awake.

Groggily opening her eyes, she stretched out her hand and took her phone from the cupboard.

She blinked at the screen and her heart skipped a bit when she saw the name of the caller.

Without wasting time, she sat up and answered quickly. “Hey Alexa, what’s up?” She asked her best friend and gave out a light yawn.

But suddenly, she became alert when she heard the voice on the other end which was shaky and broken. “Viola…”

Viola immediately tensed up when she heard this, so she asked in a hurried tone. “What is it?”

“It’s Xander,” Alexa whispered, trying to hold her tears.

“What happened to him? Viola couldn’t help but ask.

“He was in a car accident on the coastal highway, the car flipped. They pulled Claire out alive, but…” she wasn’t able to finish her words as her voice broke completely.

“They couldn’t save him. Viola… Xander is gone.” She said with a stammering voice and let out a cry.

Hearing this, it felt like her world stopped.

Viola gripped the edge of the bed as her body trembled violently. “No,” she breathed and added with a shaky voice . “No, Alexa, that can’t be true. Please tell me it isn’t true.”

“I wish it wasn’t,” Alexa sobbed. “I’m at the hospital right now. The doctors… They tried, but it was too late. I’m very scared.”

Tears blurred Viola’s eyes, as she still tried to understand what Alexa had said. She couldn’t believe it and could feel her heart pounding nervously as each second went by.

Xander, the brother-in-law who had always treated her kindly despite his cold demeanor.

“What is the name of the hospital ,” Viola whispered hoarsely as she quickly got down from the bed and added, “Tell me, I will be right there.”

As soon as she disconnected the call after Alexa told her the name of the hospital, she rushed towards the bathroom to have her bath, and after that, she barely remembered dressing or how she got into the car because she was in a hurry.

When she reached the hospital, Alexa was waiting outside the corridor, her face streaked with tears, and when she saw Viola, she rushed into her arms and burst into more tears.

“I can’t believe it,” Alexa whispered, her voice trembling. “He was fine yesterday, so how can he be gone today?”

Viola felt really sad and overwhelmed as she held her tightly. “I don’t know”. She whispered as tears streamed down her cheeks.

She added, “I still can’t believe it.” Then she continued to say, “where is his body?

“He’s in a ward. Parts of his body were burned without recognition “. Alexa sniffed and said. But then she pulled back from the hug and wiped the tears on her cheeks. “Viola, there’s something you need to see.” She said as she led Viola into the hospital.

“What do you mean?” Viola asked, with a confused look as she continued to follow Alexa who held her hand.

Alexa stared down the hallway that led to many wards, and slowly, Viola turned her head in the direction Alexa was staring at and frowned .

Nathan sat on a bench with his arm tightly wrapped around Claire.

Her face was pale, her hair disheveled and her eyes were swollen from crying.

She leaned into Nathan’s chest as if she were his widow instead of his brother’s, as her fragile body trembled.

And as for Nathan, he held her like she was the most precious thing in the world. His voice was very low and soothing.

Seeing this, Viola’s chest tightened.

She had never seen Nathan speak to any girl before, and he even spoke coldly to Alexa, who was his sister.

But now, seeing how softly and kindly he spoke with Claire was shocking.

She wondered if he was just consoling her or if there was more to it, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.

And to think her husband was not with his parents who had just lost a son, instead he was with Claire was confusing.

Meanwhile Alexa’s hand tightened around Viola’s. “Do you see it now?” she whispered bitterly. “He didn’t even ask for Mum or Dad, he just came straight to her.”

Smiling softly to cover her pain, Viola turned to Alexa who was seething with anger and said, “don’t think much of it Lexa, now is not the time for this”. She said and walked toward them, so that she could offer her condolences to Claire.

“Wait up…” Alexa said and immediately followed up.

Meanwhile, the hospital lobby buzzed with relatives and family friends, all murmuring under their breath. Viola could feel the stares burning into Claire like daggers.

“She survived, but Xander didn’t”. Someone said, making her tremble and then with perfect timing, Claire let out a soft gasp and collapsed against Nathan’s chest making him scared.

“Claire!” Nathan shouted and caught her, cradling her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

His voice was thick with panic as he said, “Claire, look at me. Don’t worry, you are safe.”

She didn’t open her eyes at first, her head rested against his shoulder.

Viola’s stomach churned as she watched the scene unfold, Nathan brushed the hair from Claire’s forehead, whispering frantically, “Don’t scare me like that. You have suffered enough. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Hearing this, Claire opened her eyes softly as tears slid down her cheek.

She gazed at him and started murmuring weakly, “I… I should have saved him… I failed...”

“No!” Nathan silenced her, his voice cracking with raw emotion. “None of this was your fault. Don’t you dare blame yourself and if anyone blames you, they will answer me.”

Every word he spoke was like a dagger in Viola’s chest and since she couldn’t bear another second there, she decided to visit her parents in law first.

So she whispered to Alexa who pointed a door to her.

So she quietly left there and went inside the room.

She felt really sad when she saw Mrs. Grant sat motionless on the chair with swollen eyes, while Mr. Grant’s face was ashen, his hands trembling around a handkerchief.

Viola knelt beside them, and took her mother-in-law’s cold hands into her own. “Mom, Dad “. She called out with a soft voice and continued, “Please, take care of yourselves. Xander wouldn’t want you to fall apart, he would want you both to be strong.”

Her words broke the silence in the room and upon being told this, Mrs. Grant’s lips trembled and she started to cry.

She hugged Viola tightly, refusing to let go as she poured out her grievance for losing her son.

Meanwhile, Claire was now lying on the hospital bed, with a pale face.