The doctor came in, reminding my sister it was time. I hugged her for the last time, then turned to my niece. That was when I realized she was awake, tears in her eyes as she looked at me.
"Uncle, is it really necessary for mommy to sacrifice herself? Why is she so tired? Who is the bag she's talking about?"
I choked on my words. "Just make sure you survive this operation so that mommy's sacrifice won't be in vain. Uncle will be right here waiting for you, I promise." I brought out the candy I had bought, along with the chocolate biscuit. "Take this candy. Its sweetness will ease your pain. Uncle has plenty more, so make sure you come back for them."
She looked at me sadly. "Uncle, you're the best. I just hope mommy is the one who gave me this candy."
I smiled through the lump in my throat. "Well Ava, this is what mommy always did whenever you cried when you were little. Just take it as if she's giving it to you now."
"Thank you, Uncle. Make sure you don't sleep and take care of yourself… because your beautiful Ava is coming very soon to explore the world with you."
With that, they took her to the operation room. I remained in the waiting area, my butler at my side—the same loyal man who had been with my sister and me since before our mother died, the one who stayed even when we had nothing.
I paced nervously, praying nothing would happen to Ava. My mind drifted to my sister—her beautiful smile, her cheerful voice, her kind heart. I remembered the chocolate biscuits she had made by hand for orphans, her yearning, loving face, always fighting to give me what I wanted, even when the world was cruel.
Suddenly, the medical personnel began lining up outside the operation room. I was confused. Their expressions told me what I had feared. I could no longer hold back my emotions and broke down, crying like a child.
The red light turned to green. They wheeled my sister out. She was gone.
Every head bowed in respect, honoring the woman who had given her life to save others— her organs now helping those who needed them most. My butler held me so I wouldn't collapse. This was the last time I would ever see her.
I signed the necessary documents and instructed them to embalm her body, waiting for the moment my niece would be strong enough to say goodbye properly.
After leaving the hospital, I went to the nearby bar. I had never smoked before, but I picked up a cigarette, hoping the smoke would numb my thoughts. I drank to stupor, trying to escape the misery of my life, the weight of loss pressing on my chest like a thousand stones.
Upon getting home, I took Ava to her princess room—the one she had chosen herself. Her eyes lit up, and she ran around the room, completely immersed in the decor she loved. Seeing her so happy made me forget the exhaustion from the hospital.
After a while, Mr. Mason came to my apartment at Ai Xin Gardens. He was surprised to see Ava absorbed in her tablet, doing whatever she knew how to do.
"Elv, I'm so sorry about what happened to you. But who is this little girl?" he asked.
"Eudora's daughter," I replied.
"Wow… what a pretty girl. Can I introduce her to my daughter so she won't feel lonely?" he asked.
"That's a good idea," I said. I didn't want Ava to bottle up her emotions; I wanted her to experience a normal childhood, despite everything.
"In two days, we'll be going to bury her," I added with a sigh.
"Okay, let me know. My family will be there; she was a good person while alive," he said, explaining some updates about his company before leaving, promising to attend the burial.
"Ava, let's wash up and get ready for bed," I said. She jumped down happily and ran off.
When I got to the bathroom, I realized… I didn't even know how to bathe a child.
"Tsk tsk tsk… Uncle, you don't know how to bath a kid, right?" Ava teased, arms crossed.
"Don't worry, I'll do it myself. Mommy taught me," she added with a sly smile.
"You really are lazy, Uncle," she said, shaking her head.
With an indulgent smile, I chased her around the room, laughing and bickering about who was truly lazy. Eventually, she took her bath, and I read her a bedtime story until she curled up and fell asleep.
As I was leaving her room, she suddenly spoke, sniffling: "Uncle… Can you take me to Mommy's tomb tomorrow? I want to drop her favorite flower."
I knelt beside her and said gently, "I know you'd want that, so I decided she shouldn't be buried immediately. You'll have time to say goodbye properly."
She hugged me tightly. "You're the best, Uncle."
Later, in my own room, I planned to message Catherine in two days—apologize for not reaching out sooner at the cafe, and finally get straight to the reason I needed to see her.
The day of the burial came. I wore black, and so did my butler and Ava. She had grown quiet and composed, unlike me, as we approached the tomb. Her mother's body had been cremated. Together, Ava and I held the stick to burn the body, then carefully packed the ashes in a pot. At the memorial house, we performed the necessary bows and placed her favorite flower.
Mr. Mason's family was there too. Observing Ava, I realized she was closest to me—she hadn't spoken to Mr. Mason or his daughter. I could see her mother's spirit reflected in her little gestures and attitude. What a character.