Jason hugged her tightly in his arms and said to me angrily, "Emily recently lost her baby. She's emotionally fragile and wants to buy baby items for some comfort. If you don't step aside, don't blame me for what happens next!"
At that moment, my phone rang. It was the hospital.
"Miss Stone, we've managed to get some blood for the transfusion..."
I cried with relief.
"...but it's nowhere near enough."
A chill swept over me.
I looked up to see Jason already walking away with Emily in his arms.
A sales assistant approached them, smiling.
"Sir, ma'am, the crib you just bought won a free set of baby clothes. Please come with me to choose your preferred color."
Emily's face lit up with joy as she pulled Jason along with the assistant.
I rushed forward and grabbed Emily's arm, trying to drag her away.
"Come with me! Jason will follow. The hospital is only a mile away. You can see for yourselves what condition Olivia is in..."
"What's wrong with you!"
Jason yanked my hand away, shoving me to the ground.
My stomach hit the legs of the crib displayed nearby, and I felt an intense pain.
Pain shot through me, and I curled up, unable to make a sound.
Cold sweat drenched my hair as I lay there, gasping for air, looking up at Jason and Emily.
Jason held the trembling Emily protectively, towering over me with a look that could kill.
"Maddie, as a woman, you haven't yet felt the pain of losing a child. It's a trauma that affects both body and soul. Can't you show some compassion?
"Last time, you used Olivia to break up me and Emily. Now, you're trying the same trick. It won't work."
"Sir, ma'am, this way please."
The sales assistant guided them away.
Halfway through, Emily turned back and smirked at me, victorious.
The pain in my abdomen was excruciating as if knives were twisting inside me.
After them walking away, my heart shattered completely.
The phone rang again and I answered it with trembling hands.
"Miss Stone, if you come now, you can see her one last time..."
I staggered back to the hospital, barely able to stand. Olivia was on the brink of death.
"Olivia, it's all my fault..."
Her hands slowly slipped from mine, and she took her last breath.
My tears flowed until I was completely spent.
At dawn, I gathered the strength to start making arrangements with the funeral home, preparing for Olivia's final farewell.