Overwhelmed by despair, I received a call from Julia, urging me to hurry over.
I managed to stand up and rushed to the fourth floor.
Julia stood at the ICU door, tears streaming down her face as she grabbed onto me.
"Where did you go? Why didn't Nick come? Meryl's gone. When she was awake, she kept calling for you both, but neither of you were by her side."
I felt a chill run down my spine, my mind in a daze, rendered speechless.
Julia hugged me as I pushed her away from her bloody hand, walking into the ICU in despair.
As I saw Meryl lifeless on the hospital bed, uncontrollable tremors shook my body.
I let out a heartbreaking cry of Meryl's name, holding her close as tears flowed endlessly.
Julia stood behind me, her voice choked with emotion.
"Why didn't Nick come? Meryl kept asking where her daddy went just now, saying she was scared and wanted daddy and mommy.
"Why didn't Nick come? Meryl is only six years old! How could he be so heartless?"
I cried inconsolably, unable to articulate a word.
Images of Meryl's fearful pleas for her parents and the sight of Nick walking away with Kate clouded my mind.