When Xhemin pressed her hands on the tube to finally pull it off, all the memories she had with Darryl flashed into her mind in a split second. It came like small fragments, one by one until they became whole. As it continued to run into her mind, different emotions went into her. All of which were emotions and warmth she felt throughout the years she had with him.

All those little magical shivers that came onto her the moment she first saw him, the annoyance, childish rivalry, sweet shames, love bites, forbidden moments, stolen kisses, longings and most of all raging incomparable love. All these made Xhemin stuck for a few minutes, unable to move and all that was with her were thoughts of Darryl and their beautiful love.

​​

Seeing that she hesitated, Ziggy walked toward her with Wolfe in his hands. The youngest Montreal with deep sighs, held on to her shoulder in an attempt to support her emotionally in such a terrible unfortunate task. It wasn't really his business nor does he have any rights, but in such a crucial situation, someone has to indulge.

"Xhemin, it's time to let him go,"

Xhemin didn't need him as she was drowned with all the emotions that paralyzed her mind and heart. When she recovered from it, she let go of the tube immediately as if she had made a terrible mistake. She stepped back away from Darryl's bed, shaking her head.

"No...no…" She said. Her eyes were blurred and she could hear nothing at all but the laughter she and Darryl shared previously. It was ringing in her ears like a bell, haunting her deepest being "No I can't...I can't...I can't do this!"

"I can't let him go," Xhemin snivelled terribly. She then dragged her deep ink eyes at Ziggy and wailed "I am so sorry. I'm so sorry!"

Her refusal got everyone in the room looked at her with pity. It was a terrible sight to see. However, before they could comfort her, she dashed out of the room immediately. She was in a thorough haste and not even her friends nor the Lagdameos that gathered outside Darryl's door was able to stop her.

She was past her breaking point and no matter how much pain and regrets that crushed in her heart right then, she had only known one thing, she cannot let him go. Not that way.

Xhemin ran and ran without direction for a few minutes straight. She ran until she was exhausted and her body gave up. When her knees started shaking, she realized she was somewhere outside the hospital, in a parking lot surrounded by cars. Then there was a big oak tree in the sidelines and that was where she found herself leaning, cursing and sobbing her heart out.

Why did things have to end this way?

Why did Darryl have to sacrifice?

Was her sacrifice not enough that the universe had to take him too?

Their love had been a constant battle. So many lives had been ruined. So much blood had been shed. Her family's ruin was the ultimate price for being the Lagdameo woman and yet fate even after all that demanded even more.

It required so much payment that at the end Xhemin had to choose between her family and her love. Xhemin had no choice but to choose her family and so she swallowed all her longing for him, all the jealousy, the desire and feelings she had inside. She thought that perhaps by being apart they'll find the peace that they both needed and deserved.

She stopped loving him, not because she wanted to but because she had to. There was simply no other choice.

And yet, after everything, the price she paid was far too small for what fate required. Right then, it demanded Darryl's life. Why? What did she do that fate had been this cruel with her?

Was loving the Lagdameo heir a great unforgivable sin?

***

When Xhemin dashed out the door, everyone who was there knew she was not able to do what they required of her. Ziggy himself was caught up by the Xhemin's sudden escape he was left standing next to Darryl's bed with Wolfe in his hands.

"Tsk. Another coward," Don Samuelle hissed at the door. His head suddenly ached at how everyone was acting right then. He wanted this matter to be done swiftly and yet everyone's reluctancy prolonged their agony. "That woman should have pulled it off. What's difficult with pulling off some goddam tube?"

"Manuel. He is your son! Get it done!" He laid the burden back to Manuel but even his son wasn't willing to do it then. How could he? Even when he and his son don't see things eye to eye, he was still his son and for many good years Darryl had given so much pride and glory. How could he kill him with his own hands?

"Arrgggh! Franco, get it done immediately!" Don Samuelle turned to Franco this time and the latter only sighed deep. He was actually with his father with this predicament. He wanted it done as swiftly as they could because the longer they delay it, the longer all their hearts will be troubled. However since Darryl wasn't his son, he didn't want to intervene on how the immediate family would handle it. But it looks like after a few attempts, he was still the one to do it in the end.

Franco, without much words, made full strides to Darryl's bed. Bravely and without looking at Darryl's idle face, he held into the tube and tried to pull it off. It wasn't successful on his try as it seemed that the tube was stuck. So he did another try, this time with more force.

That time, everyone's heart sank and they all said their last goodbye through whispers. However, before Franco could finally cut the tube off, someone pulled the hem of his suit. He turned to see who it was and found Wolfe, a small boy trying to stop him from what he was about to do.

"Don't" Wolfe said firmly but in a calm tone. He was shaking his head and there were no more tears in his face. Although the room was filled with cries, Wolfe's little voice was loud enough to make everyone's attention turn to him.

Ziggy himself didn't expect such action from Wolfe and so he grabbed him to his side and apologized to everyone for what seemed like misbehavior on Wolfe's part. "I'm very sorry,"

"No please!" Wolfe was determined to stop Franco. "Can't you see?"

"Little boy—"

"No!" Wolfe cut him off and pointed to Darryl's bed. "Look. Appa is awake!"