Chapter 73

Eliana

"Nich-ol-a-s," I spluttered, tears coursing down my face.

"Ellie baby," he said, straddling my head on his lap, the same way I held my father as he coughed and breathed his last.

"I l-ove," I choked, while he tilted me gently so that my saliva mixed with blood flowed from the side of my mouth down to my lower cheek.

"I know, baby, I know you love me, and I love you too, so very much. But right now, I don't want you to strain, please." Even though my memory was hazy at that time, I could remember saying something similar to my father.

'Am I dying?' I thought, my eyelids feeling so heavy. My vision was blurred, but I could see a tear escaping Nick's eyes as he shook me gently, begging me to keep my eyes open.

"N," I couldn't finish the word, but I managed to lift up my hand with the remaining capability I had, though it felt so heavy. Slowly, I touched his cheek, wiping the lone tear, just as another one escaped his other eye. As my hand dropped, more cascaded, making me feel like