Chapter 477: Let Us Go Home

“Don’t speak,” Cecilia pleaded, her voice hoarse, tears streaming down her face. “The doctor said you can still be cured!”

“All right,” Martha whispered, forcing a weak smile. She tried to wipe Cecilia’s tears, but her hand wouldn’t lift. Cecilia gently raised Martha’s hand to her face.

“Martha…” Cecilia choked out.

“Be good… Don’t cry,” Martha murmured.

Cecilia’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Okay, I won’t cry. You’ll be okay… You’ll be okay!”

Martha seemed briefly revived. She gazed out the window at the snow. “Ceci… It’s the New Year…”

Cecilia nodded. “Mhm, the New Year has come.” There was still a week left, but Martha seemed to be living in her own time.

“Let’s go home. I don’t want to stay… here.”

“All right, let’s go home.” Cecilia lifted Martha into her arms. Martha was incredibly thin, almost skeletal, yet Cecilia managed it easily.

Carrying Martha down the long hallway, Cecilia chattered, fearing her mother's imminent departure. “We’re going home now. We can celebrate the New Year, make ravioli, put on new clothes. Eli and Jon can’t wait to hug you.”

Cecilia’s voice faltered; her vision blurred. Martha’s breathing grew shallow. Panic seized Cecilia. “Mom! Mom, you mustn’t leave, okay? I beg you! You promised me; you said you’d stay with me forever!” Cecilia had long since considered Martha her mother, more so than her biological mother.

Martha, hearing “Mom,” mustered a faint, “Okay.” As she spoke, her hand, resting on her chest, fell limp.

The hospital corridor seemed endless. Standing there, gazing at the outside light, Cecilia felt a sharp pain in her throat. “Mom, Mom…” But Martha could no longer hear.

Nathaniel and the others arrived to find Cecilia alone, holding Martha’s lifeless body. Elliot, seeing his mother, understood instantly, tears welling in his eyes. “Mommy,” he whispered.

Cecilia glanced at them, then whispered, “Martha has fallen asleep. Let’s take her home to celebrate the New Year.”

Cecilia stepped outside, then stumbled, falling onto the snowy ground beside Martha. Nathaniel rushed to her, embracing her.

When Cecilia opened her eyes again, she was home. The reality of Martha’s death still hadn’t sunk in. Yesterday, everything seemed normal; Martha had promised to always be there.

Elliot and Nathaniel stayed by her side. Upon seeing Cecilia awake, Elliot cried, “Mommy, how are you feeling?”

Cecilia stared blankly at the ceiling, silent. Nathaniel told Elliot, “You should leave now.”

“Why me? Shouldn’t you go?” Elliot protested.

Nathaniel didn’t argue. He picked Elliot up, carried him outside, and closed the door firmly. “Don’t cause trouble,” he said coldly.

Nathaniel returned to Cecilia’s side, taking her hand. “Cry if you need to. I can’t see you, so don’t hold back.”

Cecilia remained silent. Nathaniel climbed into bed, pulling her close.