Chapter 9
542 Words
Samantha's lips trembled in disbelief. "W-What did you say?"
Archer replied, "I have an emergency. I've called an ambulance. It'll be here soon. Your mother will be fine!"
Archer yanked the car door open and brusquely pushed them out onto the roadside.
Willow lay limp in Samantha's arms, her whole body giving off the sense that she wouldn't last much longer.
Samantha seized Archer's wrist. "Don't... Don't go! We can't get a taxi now!"
Archer knew he was their only hope at this moment.
But Jessica had just threatened him—show up now or never come to the company again.
He told himself Willow's illness wasn't sudden.
Last time had been just as critical, and she'd survived. The ambulance would fix everything.
Archer pried Samantha's hand away. "Please understand. This is urgent."
"What's more important than my mother's life?!" Samantha shouted hysterically, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.
She was terrified Archer would leave.
Archer's frown deepened, genuine conflict in his eyes. "The ambulance is almost here. She'll be fine."
Samantha clung to him desperately, her entire body shaking violently. "Archer... I'm begging you. My mom is dying. There's so much blood... She's vomiting blood...
"She needs to go to the hospital now, or she'll die..."
For a moment, Archer hesitated.
Then his phone buzzed. He saw Jessica's message: Ten minutes, or you're gone for good.
With a quick jerk, Archer freed himself and threw open the car door.
Samantha's knees buckled, and she slammed onto the pavement.
She shouted, "Don't leave! I'm begging you!"
Within seconds, her limbs were scraped raw.
Even in the dim light, her bloodied fingers were clearly visible.
As Archer walked away without looking back, tears streamed down Samantha's face.
Her face was streaked with tears.
Just then, thunder roared, and Archer's car sped away.
Raindrops began pelting down as Samantha faced the truth—he wouldn't return.
Gritting her teeth against the pain, she tried lifting Willow.
But her injured wrist flared with pain, and they both crashed to the ground.
"Mom!" Clawing her way up, Samantha pulled Willow upright. "Are you okay?"
But there was no answer.
The icy rain mixed with tears streamed into her mouth, so salty that it turned bitter.
Samantha made several attempts to lift Willow, but failed each time.
"Is anyone here? Please save my mom..."
Never had she felt so helpless, nor hated herself so deeply.
If she had agreed to break up with Archer from the beginning, perhaps none of this would have happened.
"Mm... Honey..." Willow let out a faint call, reaching out to wipe Samantha's tears.
"Mom! How are you? Don't be afraid! We'll... we'll get to the hospital soon!"
"G-Good girl... Mom's not going to make it... Don't blame yourself..."
Perhaps it was a last surge of strength, as a sudden, unnatural flush appeared on her frail face.
"Take care of yourself... Mom... Mom loves you..."
"Mom!"
The siren of the ambulance grew louder, yet Samantha remained eerily silent.
She let the medical staff load Willow and her into the vehicle.
Just minutes before, Willow had breathed her last in her arms.
Now, watching the doctors attempt to resuscitate her, Samantha showed no reaction.
In life's most desperate moments, even agony would fall silent.
- Writer
