The house felt heavier after the argument. Caleb sat beside Elyra’s bed, staring blankly at the wall. His father’s words still rang in his ears, poisoning his thoughts.

"Once she’s gone, things can go back to the way they were."

He clenched his fists.

The anger inside him was still burning, but underneath it was something far worse—defeat. His father would never change. No matter what Caleb said, no matter how much Elyra suffered, their father had already decided she didn’t matter.

Footsteps echoed down the hallway. Caleb stiffened as he saw his father standing in the doorway, suitcase in hand. His mother trailed behind, eyes filled with uncertainty.

"I’m leaving," their father announced flatly.

Caleb’s lips curled in disgust. "Running away now? How typical."

His father’s face was unreadable. "There’s nothing left for me here."

Caleb stood up, his heart pounding. "Nothing left for you? Your daughter is dying."

His father didn’t respond.

Caleb let out a humorless laugh. "You just don’t want to face what you’ve done. You’re a coward."

Still, his father said nothing.

Their mother stepped forward, reaching for him. "Please, don’t go like this—"

He pulled away. "You were the one who changed, not me. If you want to spend your last days mourning a girl who ruined our family, go ahead. I won’t be part of it."

Caleb’s fists trembled, but he forced himself to stay calm. "You never deserved to be her father."

For the first time, something flickered across his father’s face. Regret? Guilt? But it was gone just as quickly as it came. Without another word, he turned and walked out the door.

The front door slammed shut.

A suffocating silence filled the house.

Caleb’s mother collapsed onto the couch, covering her face with her hands. Caleb just stood there, staring at the empty space where his father had been.

He had always wanted his father to leave. To disappear. To stop poisoning their lives.

So why did it feel so hollow?

That night, Elyra woke up.

Caleb had fallen asleep beside her bed, but a weak touch on his hand made his eyes flutter open.

"Elyra?"

She smiled faintly. "You stayed."

"Of course I did," he whispered. "Where else would I go?"

She turned her head slightly, her gaze soft but knowing. "Dad left, didn’t he?"

Caleb swallowed, looking away. "Yeah."

She nodded as if she had expected it. "Mom?"

Caleb sighed. "She’s still here."

Elyra closed her eyes for a moment. "Good."

Caleb hesitated before asking, "Do you… do you wish he stayed?"

A long silence stretched between them.

Then, softly, she whispered, "No."

Caleb let out a shaky breath. "Me neither."

Elyra turned her head toward him again. There was something different in her eyes—something calm, something accepting. It terrified him.

"Caleb," she murmured. "I don’t have much time left, do I?"

His throat tightened.

"Don’t say that," he whispered.

"It’s the truth," she said, her voice steady. "I can feel it."

He squeezed her hand. "Please don’t talk like this."

She gave him a tired smile. "I need to, Caleb. Because I don’t have time to waste pretending anymore."

A lump formed in his throat.

She inhaled shakily. "Promise me something?"

Caleb nodded, blinking back the burning in his eyes. "Anything."

"When I’m gone…" She hesitated, gathering what little strength she had left. "Don’t let this house be your grave too."

His heart clenched painfully.

"Promise me," she continued, voice softer now, "that you’ll live. Really live. Not just survive."

Caleb’s vision blurred. "Elyra, please—"

"Promise me, Caleb."

He shook his head, gripping her hand tighter. "I can’t imagine a world without you in it."

She smiled, her thumb brushing against his. "But you’ll have to."

A tear slipped down his cheek. "That’s not fair."

"I know," she whispered. "But promise me anyway."

His body trembled as he nodded. "I promise."

Her eyes fluttered closed, and for a terrifying second, he thought she had slipped away. But then, she exhaled softly.

"Good," she murmured.

Caleb sat beside her long after she had fallen asleep, holding onto her hand as if that alone could keep her here just a little longer.

But deep down, he knew—his time with her was running out.

And no matter how tightly he held on, he would have to let go. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To Be Continued...