Taking a deep breath, I gently placed a hand on Beatrix’s shoulder, looking into her eyes with as much calm as I could find. “I understand your pain,” I said softly. “But I need to be with Adeline right now. She’s my daughter, and she needs me.”
Beatrix’s grip on my arm loosened, and her shoulders slumped with sadness. She nodded slowly, and for a brief moment, it felt like there was a small understanding between us—two mothers bound by the love for their children, both caught in a struggle we didn’t ask for.
Without another word, I turned and walked away, the echo of my footsteps filling the hallway as I made my way back to Adeline.
A blinding flash of light pierced through my eyes.
“Get out of my way and don’t stop me,” I murmured, pushing through. “The doctor’s here; I’m useless here now. If you want to charge me with murder, there’ll be plenty of time for that afterward.”
Adeline—my Adeline—I could still hear her faintly calling for her mommy, but the movement on the hospital bed behind me had stopped.
The doctor removed his mask and looked at us with weary sympathy. “I’m sorry... my condolences.”