The Last Christmas

On Christmas Eve, our three-year-old daughter, Noelle Gilder, who has cancer, takes a turn for the worse. All she wants is for her mother, Ivana Lance, to dress as Santarina and bring her a gift.

I frantically call Ivana, but she impatiently yells into the phone, saying, "Why are you calling me nonstop? I am helping Charles look for Bubbles! Do you really have to make a scene over this? If Bubbles is gone, Charles will be so heartbroken that he will not be able to sleep for days!"

Bubbles? So she was looking for the dog of her first love, Charles Larsson!

Suppressing my anger, I tell her that Noelle might not survive the night.

She laughs disbelievingly, "Mr. Gilder, do not think for a second that I'm not aware that you've spoiled Noelle rotten! If she had not suddenly kicked Bubbles, he would not have run away. Make Noelle apologize to Charles tomorrow."

After hanging up, I accompany Noelle as she spends her final Christmas Eve with tears in my eyes.

The next day, Ivana publishes a post on Instagram, still looking for the dog.

Meanwhile, my post is Noelle's obituary.

Ten years of marriage melt away into nothingness like snow.

On Christmas Eve, the hospital called me.

The doctor's voice was urgent as he informed, "Mr. Gilder, Noelle's condition has worsened. She's being resuscitated right now! We can't get through to Mrs. Gilder. Please come quickly!"

I didn't even bother to clean up before rushing toward the hospital. Usually, I was the one staying with my daughter, Noelle Gilder. Today, I had only stepped away for a little while to make soup for her at home.

My wife, Ivana Lance, was supposed to be staying with her tonight. She had promised me she would be there! So, where exactly had she gone?

On my way there, I kept calling Ivana, but she never answered.

My whole body shook with rage as I sent her a message on WhatsApp.

I texted, "Ivana! What did you promise me? Noelle is being resuscitated now!"

When I arrived at the hospital, I ran toward the emergency room like a madman.

The doctor stopped me and said solemnly, "Mr. Gilder, you need to prepare yourself."

I shoved the doctor aside and shook my head desperately. "No! How could this happen? She was fine yesterday!"

The doctor gripped my shoulders tightly. "Mr. Gilder, Noelle's condition was already unstable. Even though there is monitoring equipment in the room, only family members staying with her can notice abnormalities immediately. Tonight, no one was by her side…

"We were one step too late. I'm sorry."

The moment I heard that, my knees went weak, and I sat heavily on the floor. I clenched my phone tightly. My heart hurt so badly that I could barely breathe.

"Ivana!"

I didn't know how long I waited before the emergency room lights finally went out.

The surgeon walked out and asked, "Is Noelle's family here? Do spend Christmas Eve with her."

Today was Christmas Eve, a festive occasion. How did this happen?

Back in the hospice ward, Noelle opened her eyes weakly.

She looked around and said, "Daddy, Mommy promised me she'd dress up as Santarina and bring me presents… Isn't that right?"

I held her hand tightly, forcing back my grief. "Yes. Mommy will come as Santarina."

I lowered my head helplessly and checked my phone again, but there was still no response from Ivana.

Then, I opened Instagram and saw Charles' newest post.

He wrote, "Bubbles is missing. I feel like I can't breathe… Bubbles, where are you?"

The attached photo showed a street decked with Christmas decorations. In the picture, Ivana looked anxious as she helped him search for Bubbles.

Bubbles was Charles' dog.

This was beyond ironic. Our daughter's life was hanging by a thread, yet she was out there helping her first love look for his dog!

I furiously typed a comment. "If Noelle dies, I will never let you adulterous scumbags off!"

Just then, Noelle touched my hand gently. "Daddy, why are you crying?"

My trembling gaze lifted. Only then did I realize my face was already covered in tears. I was overwhelmed with guilt and heartbreak toward Noelle. Perhaps I also felt hatred for Ivana.

However, right now, I had to stay cheerful and accompany Noelle through the last moments of her life.

I turned off my phone screen, wiped away my tears, and said, "Sweetheart, I'm just too happy. Tonight is Christmas Eve, and you will be safe and sound."

Less than half a minute later, Ivana finally called me back.

For Noelle's sake, I still answered.

On the phone, Ivana sounded even angrier than I was. "Jeremiah Gilder, you'd better watch your darn mouth!"