i

than," I cried out, my voice shaking, my hands trembling,

rt so much I could barely breathe. I dropped down to my knees beside Ethan. He was lying still on that old torn cushi

so slowly like it could stop at any time. I touched his hand, praying it

voice cracked and broke like my he

is eyes looked far away like he was lost in thoughts that he couldn't speak of. I could see he was trying to

it, like it was carrying too much. He came close to me and knelt beside me

ed. "I understand you. You think I don't want to save your brothe

He looked deep into my eyes like h

h more than washing dishes in diners. I hate it, Lina. I ha

my face with my palm, but the tears

. You're too old to do that now. You can't carry him to the hospital if anything goes wrong. You w

ittle shadow. The one who always smiled even when we had no food. The one who held my h

said again, alm

n his tears. It hurt more to see him cry because I k

ly rising. "You think it doesn't break me that I can't give my own son the medici

t. I didn't kn

ent to people I swore I'd never talk to again. I begged

on in his voice, but more than that,

they would pay us. Pay us well. Enough to treat Ethan. Enough to even buy him

't want him to see me cry aga

eople I haven'

t looked at me with eyes

a sound.

crawled closer to him. I h

ar me?" I asked, m

and for a moment, I saw something peaceful in t

d to lean closer. "Please do as Father said. Ju

brushing his hair back. "Don't send me away. Don't a

was weak. But

" he said. "You're savi

d to tell the world this was unfair. That I didn't want this life. That I did

o loud I thought it would explode. I couldn't bre

was a knock

strong one.

rned. My

he corner. He picked up my bag. The one I had packed earlier whe

. I looked at him. He looked so tired

said, his voice breaking. "G

n. My legs felt weak. It wasn't supposed to be

And once I go, the

t Ethan on

. A very small one. Bu

came again. Lo

t keep us waiting," a man shouted from outside.

didn't sound nice. It sounded like someone who wouldn't

e again. I stood straight. I tried t

opened

I am