Chapter 4
Days Later – Caldwell Manor
The house had never felt this empty. Silence had settled like a thick fog, suffocating, unrelenting. Lady Caldwell’s condition had worsened with each passing day. She barely woke now, only muttering incoherent words before drifting back into a restless slumber.
Naya refused to leave her side. She sat by the bed, clutching her mother's frail hand, watching her shallow breathing. Kaylen lingered in the doorway, eyes red from nights of the quiet crying. Hailey curled up in the rabbit, confused and afraid.
Serena stood near the window, staring out into the dark.
Then—footsteps. Heavy. Rushed. The front door brust open.
James Caldwell
*desperate* Serena! Naya!
Naya's head snapped up. Kaylen stepped back. Hailey's eyes widened.
Their father stood in the doorway, his face pale, breath unsteady. His clothes were disheveled, his eyes sunken with grief and guilt. He looked like a man who had seen hell and returned broken.
Naya Caldwell (8)
*whisper* D-Dad....?
Hailey Caldwell (3)
*teary eyes* Dad!
He didn't answer. His gaze landed on the frail figure in the bed. Without hasitation, he rushed forward collapsing beside his wife. His hands trembled as he grasped hers, bringing them to his lips.
James Caldwell
*sob* My love.... I'm here... I'm so sorry...
For a movement nothing happened. Then, Lady Caldwell stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, her lips parted. A weak breath escaped her.
Elle Caldwell
...Ja..mens...?
James Caldwell
Yes. I'm here, I'm here.
A ghost smile touched her lips.
Elle Caldwell
*whisper* You came back...
James Caldwell
*Shaky voice* I should have never left. I should have been here.
Her fingers twitched in his grip. Her voice barely above a whisper.
Elle Caldwell
Our boys... I see them...
His entire body stiffened.
James Caldwell
*Panic* No, don't say that. Just rest. I'll get a doctor—
Suddenly, her body jerked. A sharp gasp left her lips. Her hand clutched her chest, her eyes going wide with pain.
Naya Caldwell (8)
*Panic* Mama?!
Serena Caldwell (15)
Something's wrong.
Kaylen Caldwell (10)
*terrified* What's happening?!
James Caldwell
*frantic* No— stay with me! Serena, get help— NOW!
Lady Caldwell's breaths grew rapid and shallow. Her body trembled violently, her face contorting in pain. A strangled whimper left her lips before she suddenly arched forward —then fell back against the pillows.
Hailey Caldwell (3)
*Whisper* M-Mama... ?
Naya Caldwell (8)
*shaking elle* Mama, wake up! Please!
Kaylen Caldwell (10)
*voice cracking* She's not moving...
James Caldwell
*Voice breaking* No... no, no, please... Don't leave me...
His fingers clutched her lifeless form as if he could anchor her soul back to her body. He pressed his forehead against her, sobbing.
Naya Caldwell (8)
*screams* MAMA!
Serena stood frozen, her face emotionless, her hands curled into fists.
The storm outside howled through the night, but inside, the Caldwell family shattered into pieces that would never fit back together.
Author
Guys i changed elle's pic cause mom told me that her mother had green eyes
Author
but i couldn't find any pic that matched with her face and had green eyes so adjust with it ಥ‿ಥ
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