Wake up, Gideon!

"OH. I'm so sorry, Bianca." Amelia cried as she pulled me into a tight embrace. It was my third day in the hospital when Amelia and Darwin came.

I thought I had already become numb from the past three days. But the moment I heard Amelia sobbed, hot liquid pooled in my eyes.

"My poor grandchild."

I didn't know how long we stayed in each other's arms until we both calmed down.

"I'm sorry it took us days before we visited you," Amelia apologized while holding my arms.

I stared at her. She seemed five years older than the last time I saw her—at her own party a week ago. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Her porcelain skin was now dry and saggy.

"How are you, Bianca?" she asked in a gentle voice. "Charlie told me you're not properly eating your meals."

"I don't have the appetite," I said in a weak voice.

She grabbed my hand and gently pressed it. "The baby... Charlie said he looked just like you."

"C-Charlie?"

"Yes… Bianca." Amelia gave a gentle smile. "Charlie buried