Allison's mom was in too much pain to get any words out. Her lips moved, whispering an unspoken apology that Allison understood perfectly. "I'm sorry."
In that moment, tears flooded Allison's eyes, and she ran out into the snowstorm, feeling like her world was unraveling. "Mom, please don't leave…" she cried.
The ambulance, in a race against time, couldn't afford to wait for her. It sped off, leaving Allison chasing after it until it disappeared from view. Allison stood there, breathless and heartbroken.
That night, Savannah left this world.
Javier stayed by her side all night, consumed by his grief.
Allison had no idea. She hadn't managed to catch up with the ambulance and ended up collapsing in the snow. The family nanny followed her out of concern, and carried her back inside.
That night, Allison was hit with a high fever. She called out for her mom in her dreams, crying on and off until dawn.
When she woke up the next day, she was greeted with the devastating news of her mom's passing.
Allison couldn't bear to go to the hospital for a final goodbye. She was petrified at the thought of seeing her mom’s lifeless body.
During that time, she clung to the comforting illusion that as long as she didn't see her mom's body, her mom would be still alive, just on a long journey somewhere far away.
In her heart, the warm, smiling woman who brightened her world like spring sunshine would always live on.
After Savannah's passing, Allison held onto the porcelain puppy and refused to eat or drink. She'd sleep when she was exhausted and would wake up to silent tears.
Javier seemed to age overnight. He lost the spark in his eyes, his hair turned grayer, and he was too drained to look after Allison.
Eventually, Javier was diagnosed with depression.
Allison once believed Javier would never remarry. He loved her mom so deeply — how could he ever find room in his heart for someone else?
However, two years later, Javier married her mom's best friend.
Allison was livid and moved straight into her college dorm. Even during breaks, she isolated herself, avoiding any conversation with them.
It took two years for her relationship with Javier to heal a little, but as soon as she graduated, Javier tried to arrange a marriage between her and Joshua, which only made their fragile relationship worse.
This time, Javier seemed genuinely upset. He would've given in to Allison's demands in the past, but he stood firm on this marriage arrangement and even cut off her credit to force her back home.
To Allison, the marriage proposal was just the spark, the final straw.
The real reason she ran away was Javier's remarriage. He had betrayed her mom.
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