Chapter 4

The morning of the surgery, the sky hung heavy and gray.

Ethan's driver and bodyguard showed up right on schedule.

I wore a simple white dress.

He'd once told me I looked best in white.

That wasn't true, of course. Zoey looked best in white.

I was just imitating her. Like I had for the past ten years.

At the hospital, the smell of disinfectant was suffocating.

I was escorted to the prep room, where a nurse started running through pre-op procedures.

"Ms. Scott, try to relax. It's just a local anesthetic for tissue extraction. It won't hurt much," the young nurse said gently.

I smiled at her. Didn't say anything.

Hurt? After living with stage-four stomach cancer, what was a scalpel blade compared to that?

Besides, I probably wouldn't feel anything at all soon enough.

Ethan and Zoey arrived shortly after.

Through the glass partition of the prep room, I watched Zoey lean into Ethan's chest, her face pale and fragile.

He held her close, murmuring something soft. His expression was tender in a way I'd never seen directed at me.

Then he seemed to sense my gaze. He looked up.

Our eyes met.

I stared at him. Summoned the last shred of strength I had left. Slowly. Clearly. Mouthed three words.

I hate you.

Then I turned away. Didn't look back.

The anesthesiologist entered and fitted an oxygen mask over my face.

"Just relax. Deep breaths..."

As my consciousness began to slip into darkness, I said my final goodbyes.

Mom, I'm sorry. I can't stay with you anymore.

And Ethan... goodbye. Forever.