I Offered Everything I Owned to Hear My Daughter Speak Again

CHAPTER 4 - THE SECRET LUCY CARRIED

Mara's second message was quieter.

"Lucy, what happened that night was not your fault."

Lucy froze.

Andrew turned toward her.

The police said Mara's car had lost control during heavy rain.

Lucy had been found in the back seat, physically unharmed.

She never explained what happened before the crash.

Mara's recording did.

Lucy had begged her mother to drive to the hospital.

Sam's condition had worsened, and Lucy wanted to give him the red balloon she had chosen for him.

During the journey, the storm intensified.

After the accident, Lucy became convinced that Mara would still be alive if she had not asked to visit Sam.

Mara had remained conscious long enough to record the message while waiting for emergency workers.

"You did not cause the rain," Mara said.

"You did not cause the accident."

"And you never have to lose your voice to prove how sorry you are."

Lucy collapsed against Andrew.

"I made Mommy drive."

"No," he said. "Your mother made her own choice because she loved you both."

For the first time, Lucy cried loudly.

Her grief was no longer trapped inside her.

Andrew held her while Sam sat beside them, one hand still covering Mara's heart.

Then Ruth suddenly called his name.

Sam had gone pale.

He tried to stand but collapsed beside the white rose aisle.

Ruth dropped to her knees.

"His medication," she cried. "It's in my bag!"

Guests called for an ambulance.

Andrew lifted Sam carefully while Lucy followed, refusing to release the boy's hand.

At the hospital, doctors rushed him into the transplant unit.

The minutes stretched into hours.

Finally, a cardiologist approached.

Sam's heart was still beating, but the tests showed signs of a serious complication.

Andrew looked through the glass at the boy who had restored his daughter.

"Whatever he needs, he will not face it alone."

The cardiologist lowered his voice.

Sam might need another operation before morning.