I looked down at my own skeletal fingers.
I didn't want to live anymore.
But watching this family shatter around the hospital bed, watching their unbearable, gut-deep refusal to let her go, a wild, reckless thought took root in me.
Since none of you can bear to lose her. Since I have nothing left and no will to go on—
Then this life of mine, I'll live it for her.
I pushed open the door.
The crying stuttered to a halt.
Every pair of eyes snapped to me.
I ignored them all. I walked straight to the little girl and crouched down in front of her.
I reached out with a hand riddled with needle marks and caught her flailing fingers.
"Melody."
I lowered my voice.
The room went dead silent.
The man's head jerked up. His gaze locked onto me, sharp as a blade.
His pupils contracted. His entire body went rigid.
The girl stopped struggling. Her small fingers traveled along the back of my hand, up my arm, and finally settled on my face.
She touched my tears. They were ice-cold.
"Mommy? Is that you?"
Her voice was tiny, trembling, desperate with hope.
"It's Mommy." I gathered her into my arms. "I didn't leave."
The girl clung to my neck with everything she had and burst into sobs.