Chapter 32

"I thought you said she was alright. You assured me it was just a mild injury, so how is it possible that she's gone now?"

"We are sorry. Take heart," the doctor uttered, struggling to find words of comfort. 

Mirabelle's mother felt her world collapse around her. Questions echoed in her mind, wondering if she had done something wrong in her past life to deserve such a string of tragedies this year. 

She stood up, her legs heavy with grief, and moved towards her daughter's bedside. Mirabelle lay there, her mouth dry. 

"Mirabelle, I regret those words I said to you," her mother whispered, her voice choked with sorrow. "If only I hadn't argued with you back then, maybe you would still be with me."

Tears streamed down her face as she continued, "If I had known, I wouldn't have let you come with me; you could have stayed back."

Mirabelle's mother covered her mouth, attempting to stifle the sobs that escaped.