FOUR

DIANA

I stood in front of the bed, watching all the boxes that contained Neah's things. I wondered if it was best to let go of hold on to them.

I picked up her blanket from the bed and sniffed it. I decided that it was best to send everything off.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw a piece of paper that sat on the bedside table, I didn't notice it there before.

I walked towards it and realized that it was a drawing made by Neah.

There were three stick figures and a writing at the bottom left of the paper.

“Daddy, mommy and I miss you so much.”

I stroked the words and then decided I was going to take it, as a reminder. I folded it up and placed it in my purse.

I went through my phone and sent a text to a number that I haven't dared to call for the past six years.

“Hello Jaylen, I'm divorced now, I need help in moving some things to charity. Can you come and pick me up tomorrow?”

Under the message, I texted the address and hoped that Jay still uses this number.

I went to sleep, with tears in my ears and a bleeding heart.

***

“I brought a bottle of wine!”

“Camille, what are you doing here? Remember the doctor asked you to rest.”

“Baby, let's celebrate. You're now single! Well, you have me of course but you get what I mean?”

“Camille, please stop, I'm not in the mood.”

She gave me a naughty smile and sank to her knees, with finely manicured fingers, she took down my zipper and started to pull my pants down.

I grabbed her hands and held her tight.

“Nathan, you're hurting me!” she winced and I let her go.

“Sorry… But I'm not in the mood.”

She was taken aback.

“Camille you have to leave, I need to be alone”

“Are you chasing me out?”

When I didn't respond, she turned around and left.

I sank deeper into the couch and pulled my phone from my pocket, after dialing Diana a few times, it refused to go through.

I called my secretary and asked him to dial her with the office phone.

“Sir, it's not going through”

There was silence in the room.

“This might mean that she has blocked you.”

When I turned to him, he pressed the dial button again and it didn't even ring.

“Does that mean that she has blocked me? That's impossible.”

Hot nails sank into my belly.

The Phoenix started ringing and I felt a wave of relief and pride. Diana would never block me, not when she's too dependent on me.

But when I took a look at the screen, I saw it was Camille.

I ended the call and considered putting my phone on DND but Diana might call back.

“Sir, are you alright? You don't look too good.”

“I'm fine.”

I got up from the couch and looked around. I used to think that getting Diana away from me was a good thing.

Now I miss her more than ever.

“I'm leaving, cancel all my plans for today. Clear the schedule for the entire week.”

“Are you sure sir? You're supposed to have a meeting with–”

“Clear my schedule.” I said cutting him off sharply

“Alright sir, consider it done.”

***

Part of me knew that it was a dream but it didn't lessen the torture. I was back in the hospital, I could hear a woman wailing in the corner, the smell of antiseptic was heavy in the air.

I walked through the hallway and stopped at the ICU.

Neah was sitting on her bed but it was wet and she was shivering.

I looked closer only to find her staring at me.

“Mummy, help me. I feel cold.”

I pushed the door but it won't open, I kicked and screamed but it was bolted shut.

“Mummy, ask daddy to help, he's strong.”

I looked to the side and saw Nathan standing in the hall. He was seeing Neah through the window.

“Nathan, do something. Help her… please”

He turned his attention to me but instead of walking to me, he turned away and started walking out.

I ran to him and grabbed his arm.

“Nathan!” I yelled and he stopped.

“Camille needs me.” he said coldly

“Neah is still alive, you can save her. Help me open the door, please Nathan.”

“I'm busy, Camille needs my help.”

“But you're here now.”

He turned away again and I ran back to Neah's room. With all my might, I slammed into the door and it burst open, but Neah was gone, the bed was empty.

Then I was standing at the door of the funeral home, and the men were pulling me back. I was fighting them, scratching them to get to the other side of the compound, where my daughter was being cremated.

They held me down while I cried and begged Neah to wake up.

“I know what you feel. Your reaction is completely understood, I've watched many families react the same way and trust me when I tell you, it's not the end of the world….” The young woman with the red hair kept talking but I was not listening.

I was mad with desperation. If I could trade my life for hers, I would do it without thinking twice.

***

NATHAN

The house was empty as I walked in. Neah and Diana always welcomed me.

I walked to Neah's bedroom and I turned on the light. There were many boxes packed in the corner of the room and when I understood what it meant, I bolted out of the room.

I ran to the master bedroom up the stairs, scared to find the house completely empty.

“No Diana, don't leave me so soon… “

I whispered under my breath

I turned on the lights and Diana was sleeping.

The amount of relief I felt almost knocked me off my feet.

I turned the light off and changed into my pajamas, I walked to the bed and noticed that Diana was still sleeping in the clothes she wore to the lawyer's office.

I laid there for a while and just as I was about to fall asleep, I heard a sob breaking out. It was Diana.