LPR 3

Wade's face paled. His body immediately felt cold. He shook his head in a confusion that made his world spin.

"This can't be," Wade whispered as he forced his legs forward. He approached the patient's bed where Estelle lay with her eyes closed. "You can't be dead, Estelle."

Wade's head pounded. His breath became short. He felt dizzy and fought to stay conscious as he turned to look at Boris.

Boris's gaze showed deep remorse. "Forgive me."

"Forgive?" Wade ruffled his hair roughly. The apology only added to his confusion, causing him to point at Estelle, who was now motionless. "H-how is that possible, Boris? She was fine before. How could she suddenly be lifeless?" He grimaced and shook his head repeatedly. "You're not serious, Boris."

Boris lowered his face. "Forgive me, sir, but it appears she suffered a sudden heart attack."

"A sudden heart attack?"

"Yes," Boris replied, taking a deep breath. Then he dared to lift his face slightly to look at Wade, if only briefly. "As I said, she may have gone into shock when she woke up. I think that was the trigger."

Wade shook his head again. His reaction showed disbelief. Then he grabbed Boris's upper arms. He looked at Boris sharply. "Don't make up stories, Boris. Estelle has never had a heart attack. She's healthy. So—"

"Forgive me, sir, but her family has a history of heart disease." Boris cut Wade off, holding his breath as he spoke. He made Wade freeze. "Her late father died of heart disease."

Wade's hands immediately dropped, hanging limply at his sides. Reality hit him hard. He couldn't say anything more. His tongue felt numb, and there was a void inside of him that wanted to suck him in.

Estelle's death was an emotional blow that paralyzed Wade. The feeling of loss crept in and hit him with an unimaginable force. Grief filled his heart, poisoning every thought and action, then shattering every belief he ever held.

In the piercing silence, Wade felt like he was drifting in a dark and endless sea of emotions. Everything was bleak, and his world seemed to have ended right then and there.

*

Only three days had passed since Gloria's funeral, and now the Montague family was in mourning again. The sad faces that had just tried to look to the future were once again shrouded in thick clouds of sorrow. Gloria's sudden death was a great loss to them, and Estelle felt something similar.

Of all those who felt the loss, Kiara Montague was deeply affected. She was hysterical and in tears. Losing her mother and young sister in close succession left her helpless and she fainted.

The funeral became chaotic. People panicked. Some of them immediately took Kiara to a quieter and more private place to get help, while others continued the funeral ceremony with sympathetic glances. They could feel Kiara's deep grief. They knew how close Kiara and Estelle had been all this time.

There were whispers in the air. Most of them were worried about Kiara's condition.

"Poor Kiara. Her life will surely be hard."

"You're right. Such a fate? It's really heartbreaking."

"Let's hope she stays strong through it all."

In the middle of this, there was also a worried tone that spoke of extreme fear amidst the sobbing. "Kiara, please. You have to stay strong."

Strangely, no one seemed to hear it, as if the voice had never existed. But the voice was there, even if no one could hear it, not a single soul. Everyone present at the funeral didn't hear the mournful sobbing that had been going on since the beginning of the funeral.

"Kiara, forgive me." The voice sounded again when Kiara went to the pavilion. "I didn't want to see you so sad. I... I..."

The owner of the voice was Estelle, whose presence could no longer be seen or felt by humans. She had left this world, shed her physical body, but she still lingered among them.

Estelle's spirit floated. She approached Kiara, who lay pale and unconscious. "Kiara."

Estelle's mournful voice was like a gentle breeze that passed between them, leaving no trace. She groaned in pain, feeling completely hindered by the boundaries. She was overwhelmed with helplessness, and suddenly she heard her name called.

"Estelle Montague."

Estelle froze. Her panic stopped at the possibility that someone might see her presence. She turned quickly, and a dazzling face made her squint. She didn't recognize the woman. "Who are you?"

The woman smiled affectionately. Her eyes radiated peace and wisdom. She wore a shimmering black dress. Her long black hair cascaded softly over her shoulders, framing her beautiful face, shining like the moonlight.

"I am the Moon Goddess."

Estelle frowned. "Moon Goddess?"

"Yes," the Moon Goddess nodded once. Her voice was melodious, filling the air with a magical aura of peace. "I am the Moon Goddess. I am here to help you, Estelle."

The Moon Goddess' words made Estelle furrow her brow. "Help me?" She pondered the word for a moment before being startled by a possibility. Her eyes widened and she hurriedly approached The Moon Goddess. "You know what happened to me, don't you?" she asked quickly, unable to control herself. "This is all so unfair. I just lost my mother, and last night I was attacked by unknown people. Just when I thought I had survived, I had a heart attack."

The Moon Goddess nodded in sympathy. "Yes, Estelle. I know of all the tragedies that have befallen you. Your life has been filled with unforeseen misfortunes. But believe me, there will always be light in the midst of darkness."

Estelle could feel the warmth in the Moon Goddess' words. However, there was no denying the confusion that remained. "What do you mean? I don't understand. Light?" She shook her head, her face contorted in agony. "There is no more light in my life. Everything is really dark, and it's so unfair to me. Why must I endure this fate?"

"Every soul that seeks guidance in the darkness will find it under the moonlight," The Moon Goddess continued softly. She reached out to grasp Estelle's fingers. "In this trial, you have shown a determination to persevere, but there are always unforeseen circumstances. That is why I have come to you. As I said before, I will help you fix all of this."

For a moment, Estelle remained silent, looking at her fingers held by the Moon Goddess. She felt the soft touch of the Moon Goddess reaching out to her, offering a bit of warmth in the cold darkness of her life. But confusion still swirled in her heart.

Estelle lifted her face, her eyes full of despair as she looked at the Moon Goddess. "But how? What can you do for me? How can you help me repair my already ended life?"

A smile bloomed on the Moon Goddess's face again, a smile of peace and hope. "What if I give you a second chance to change everything?"

"A s-second chance?" Estelle's expression changed. She looked incredulous. "You can't be serious, can you?"

"Would I come to you if I wasn't serious?"

No, that wasn't enough to dispel Estelle's disbelief. "But why? If you really want to give me a second chance, what's your reason? Why are you offering me such help?"

"Well," The Moon Goddess paused for a moment. Then there was something different in her eyes and smile. "I can't tell you my reasons for helping you, but the most important thing is that there is something you need to protect. I hope you can figure out what that is."

Estelle's confusion deepened. "I really don't understand."

"You don't have to understand now, Estelle. In time you will find the answers to your questions." The Moon Goddess gently reassured Estelle. She strengthened Estelle with her tender gaze that pierced deep into her heart. "One thing is most important, I hope you always remember that, believe in yourself."

Estelle sensed an underlying meaning in The Moon Goddess' words. Something that unsettled her and made her heart beat faster.

Estelle froze. Her eyes widened as she raised her free hand. It couldn't be.

The hand landed on her chest. Estelle clearly felt the beating inside of her. She instantly held her breath, growing more speechless by the moment.

The Moon Goddess released her grip on Estelle's fingers. Then she hugged Estelle lovingly. She whispered in Estelle's ear. "Wake up, Estelle."

*