“I always felt he married the wrong one.”
“True love wins in the end.”
People I knew. People who smiled at me. People who attended my wedding.
Then I scrolled.
Another photo loaded.
I stopped breathing.
Nana.
Sitting on Gusion’s lap. Laughing. Her arms wrapped around Hanabi’s neck. Hanabi kissing her cheek. Gusion smiling like this was his real family.
Like I never existed.
A sharp pain exploded behind my eyes. My head started spinning, the pounding unbearable. I fumbled for the painkillers on the nightstand, my hands clumsy and weak. I swallowed two without water.
It didn’t help.
My mouth filled with a metallic taste.
Something warm slid down my upper lip.
I wiped it without thinking.
Red.
Blood.
My chest tightened. My breathing went shallow and fast. I dialed my mother again.
No answer.
My father.
Nothing.
My hands shook as I scrolled down and pressed Gusion’s name. The call rang once. Twice. Then it went straight to voicemail.
I laughed, but it came out weak and ugly. Of course he wouldn’t answer. Why would he?
My hands were shaking so badly I could barely press the numbers. I called 911.
“H-hello…” My voice didn’t sound like mine anymore.
“911, what’s your emergency?” the operator asked.