Chapter 26 

Allison put everything she had into a slap that landed squarely on Shawn’s face. 

Shawn and Kate just stood there, stunned 

“Get out! Allison yelled at Shawn, her voice seething with anger. “This is none of your business! Who do you think you are, forgiving her on my behalf?” 

Kate was shocked to see Shawn get slapped. She shoved Shawn aside, her anger bubbling over as she squared up to Allison. “Who do you think you are? How could you hit Shawn?” 

“Smack!” Another slap rang out. 

“You get out too!” 

A bright red handprint bloomed on Kate’s cheek. 

Kate was furious and upset and couldn’t just let it go. Her eyes flared as she raised her hand to slap back, but Allison caught her wrist and tossed her aside. Kate hit the floor, her hand landing on the jagged pieces of the broken porcelain puppy. Blood immediately welled up from her palm. 

“My hand! Oh, my God, my hand!” Kate screamed in pain. 

Shawn snapped back to reality and rushed to check on Kate. “Kate, are you alright?” 

“You deserved it!” Allison said coolly. “You wouldn’t be hurt if you hadn’t broken it.” 

“Allison, you’ve crossed the line!” Shawn glared at her, his voice tight with anger. “Apologize to 

Kate!” 

Allison’s gaze was cold. “She should be the one apologizing to me. She broke my 

stuff. 

“Shawn, it hurts so much.” Kate leaned into Shawn, tears streaming down her face. “Please, take me to the hospital. It really hurts.” 

“Hang in there, Kate. I’ll get you to the hospital right away.” 

Shawn scooped Kate up in his arms. As he passed Allison, he shot her a dark, angry look and muttered, “Get out of my sight. I can’t stand to look at you!” 

“Fine,” Allison replied, her face emotionless, her voice steady. 

Shawn paused for a moment, sensing something was off about Allison. 

But he couldn’t dwell on it. Kate’s hand was bleeding, and he needed to move fast. He gave Allison one last lingering look before rushing out with Kate. 

Once they were gone, silence finally filled the room. 

Allison walked slowly to the pile of shattered porcelain, kneeling down with trembling hands to touch the fragments. 

1/2 

00:48 

Chapter 26 

Tears fell one by one onto the broken pieces. 

“Mom, I’m so sorry… I couldn’t protect the gift you left me… I’m so sorry, Mom…” 

In the big, empty room, Allison knelt on the floor, tears streaming down her face. 

When Allison was twelve, her mom Savannah fell seriously ill. 

The gentle, kind woman who always wore a smile was worn down by illness and reduced to a 

shadow of her former self. 

At that time, Allison had just started middle school. After class each day, she would go straight to the hospital instead of heading home. 

She stayed by her mother’s side, sharing stories about school and singing the new songs her teacher had taught her. 

“Mom, when will you get better?” Allison asked, sitting by her mom’s bedside, her bright eyes 

shadowed with sadness. 

Her mom had been sick for more than half a year, and she seemed to be fading more each day. 

Savannah gently stroked Allison’s hair, a soft smile on her lips as she spoke warmly, “The doctor says I’ll be out of the hospital soon.” 

“Really?” Allison’s eyes lit up with hope. 

“Yes.” Savannah’s lips were pale, her face colorless, but her gaze on Allison was full of warmth and resolve. “In a few days, I’ll be out to celebrate your birthday with you, Allie.” 

“Yay!” 

Allison believed her. 

She thought her mom would get better soon. 

It wasn’t until later she understood that when her mom talked about “leaving the hospital,” it wasn’t about getting better. Her illness was terminal, and the doctors could do no more, so they suggested she spend her remaining time with family, fulfilling her final wishes.