My Last Breath on the Operating Table, Their Last Goodbye at the Crematorium

“Mia’s brother treats her so well. She says girls are supposed to be pampered. Is that true?

“Dad hates me too. He says I took away his wife’s life, that I’m a murderer.

“But if I could, I’d give anything to make things right.”

The diary was already filled with pages of writing. It was something my mom had left behind, and on the cover was a note she had written for me:

“My daughter must be so adorable. I’ll use this journal to record her life.”

I held the diary close to my chest, my nose tingling as I tried to hold back the tears. But I couldn’t stop them from falling onto my legs.

Mom, I miss you so much. But if I see you again, would you hate me too?

I didn’t even remember how I fell asleep. I woke up shivering, curled up in a ball, still clutching the diary tightly.

My eyes felt sore, and after getting ready quickly, I headed to school. It was the only place where I felt any warmth.

“Paige, I can tell you haven’t been eating well. Here, eat something. I brought you some pastries.”

Mia pushed a few pastries toward me, her eyes bright with excitement.

“These are really good! They’re my favorite.”

“I’m not hungry…”

“Grrr...”

“Hahaha, Paige, you can’t fool me! Your stomach says otherwise.”

Mia burst out laughing, nearly out of breath, and shoved a pastry into my hand.

“Come on, eat up. They’re still warm.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you, Mia.”

“What are you thanking me for? We’re best friends.”

She crossed her arms and playfully pinched my cheek.

Mia was such a good person, the only bright spot in my otherwise dark world. She treated me with kindness and care, not as if I was a burden or a curse.

......

When I got home, the atmosphere felt tense. I was about to head up to my attic room when Dad suddenly called out to me.

“Paige Quinn.”

“Dad…”

Caught off guard, I quickly hid the scars on my hands. I had helped someone rescue their kitten from a tree today, and they gave me twenty dollars. But I accidentally cut my hand in the process.

I knew Dad wouldn’t care about things like this, but I instinctively tried to hide my injuries anyway.

“Is your hand hurt?”

His eyes narrowed slightly before he grabbed my hand.

“It hurts…”

Dad held my arm tightly, and the burn from yesterday hadn’t healed yet.

“I’m taking you to the hospital.”

I was so startled I momentarily forgot the pain.

“No... it’s fine. I can just bandage it myself.”

“We’re going to the hospital.”

His tone was sharp, and I didn’t dare argue.

But what confused me was that when we got there, he didn’t just have my hand treated. Instead, he had me go through a series of tests, more like a complete physical exam. We left without even bandaging my wound.

I glanced down at my still-bleeding hand, then at Dad’s tense expression.

“Dad, I…”

“Quiet!”

I quickly shut my mouth.

Marcus’s health had been deteriorating lately. He often struggled to stand and looked paler by the day. Every time I tried to bring him water, he would shove me away.

“You’ve cursed our family! You killed Mom! And now you want to kill me too? You’re nothing but bad luck!”

I was confused and sobbing, shaking my head.

“Marcus... I don’t know what’s going on. Please tell me, what’s wrong with you?”

“Don’t touch me! You make me sick!”

He shoved me to the ground, and I landed on shattered glass, pain shooting through my palms. I couldn’t help but let out a muffled groan.

“Paige Quinn, go outside. I need to talk to Marcus,” Dad said sternly.