My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 413

413 /526

Nadia

Mama rushed to Father's side, shoving past the nurses and doctors in her way. Their voices faded, replaced by the sound of my mother's weeping. Two female nurses tried to restrain her, but Mama fought them, tearing at the sheet draped over Father's still body.

"Let me go!" she screamed, pulling with all her might. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm sorry!"

A nurse, tall with curly brown hair, tried to grip Mama's arms. "Please, ma'am," she said firmly. "You can't disturb the body."

Mama didn't seem to hear her. She kept pulling, kept crying, that terrible, rending wail pouring out of her. I could barely comprehend the words. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I should have stayed, I should have stayed."

The sheet finally gave way, sliding from Father's body to the floor. Mama collapsed on top of him, her arms around his lifeless frame. She pressed her face to his chest, her thin shoulders heaving. "I'm so sorry, I should have stayed," she sobbed.

I watched, unmoving.

Mama's cries left me cold. All I could think was, she didn't have to be sorry. She wasn't there. She didn't find him. I did.

I scoffed then, the sound breaking in my throat. Two of the hospital staff turned to look at me sharply. I felt my laughter rise like a tide and couldn't stop it. It poured out of me, harsh and crazy, my whole body shaking with it. I squeezed my knees tightly, trying to get control of myself. When I finally managed to catch my breath, I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand.

Mama's head snapped up at the sound of my laughter. Her eyes were wild, bloodshot, her face streaked with tears. She glared at me, her expression twisting into something furious.

"What's so funny, Nani?" she rasped. "What's so funny? Your father is dead, and you think it's funny? You're happy, is that it? You're happy he's gone?"

I stood there, feeling nothing. I didn't even have it in me to get angry back. I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out.

I turned to walk past her, but her hand shot out and hit me in the chest. I stumbled back. Mama shoved me with all her strength, snapping, "Your father is dead, can't you see that? We just lost your father, Nani, and you find it funny?"

I met her glare with a stony silence. When I finally spoke, my voice was flat and lifeless. "I found him first, and I called you."

Mama stared at me, uncomprehending. "What is that supposed to mean?"

I sighed. "It means I have had time to grieve him before anyone showed up."

I looked over at Father's body as the medical staff began covering him back up. They weren't gentle, pulling the sheet roughly back over his face, his shoulders, his arms.