Dwight''s eyes were red and swollen. He had hardly been hometely, as he didn''t want ''Tina or Madeline to know what he had been up to. He also didn''t want the outside world to know about his family. He was trying to protect them.


    But today, Tina had suddenly fallen ill.


    "Why didn''t you tell me when you were sick?"


    Tina smiled softly. "I didn''t suffer much. Halsey took good care ofe, and the doctors gave me the best medicine. Dwight, t didn''t want to be a burden to you. I just want you to live a happy, want, too. Do you understand?"


    Tina didn''t want Dwight to follow the same path Herman


    ceful life. If your father were still here, that''s what he would


    take, so she had been trying to persuade him all along


    Dwight took her hand, his voice full of emotion. "Don''t worry. This time, things will be different."


    Tina''s tears welled up and slid down her cheek. "My babies..."


    Halsey and Madeline stepped forward, each of them taking one of ina''s hands.


    Tina brought their hands together. "I''m leaving now. Don''t be sad I''m going to be with your father. He''s been alone all these years, and I''ve been here with you. He must miss me terribly."


    Tears began to fall from Halsey''s eyes, her sobs echoing in the room.


    "Dwight, I''m leaving Maddy in your care. She''s your sister. You have to take good care of her. And Halsey... Halsey is such a good girl. You''re lucky to have her. You need to cherish her."


    Dwight''s voice cracked as he fought to hold back his tears. "I know"


    Tina smiled weakly. "I''ve been happy in my life. When I was young I had your father, and then I had you two. Life isn''t perfect, but the small blessings make it worth it. Now, it''s time for me to


    With that, Tina slowly closed her eyes, her face peaceful as she passed away.


    There were many things Tina hadn''t been able to say-the regrets about her husband, the worry of not being able to see her children grow up-but there was no time left.


    She had gone quietly, leaving behind a world of unsaid words.


    Dwight and Madeline cried in grief, "Mom!"


    Tina was gone.


    Halsey found Dwight standing alone in the dimly lit hallway. His tall, strong frame was leaning against the wall. Without his coat, he was only wearing a ck sweater.


    At that moment, his youthful, muscr body looked strangely fragile. He kept his head lowered, lost in deep silence, as the shadows seemed to engulf him.


    Halsey walked toward him. "I''ve already arranged for Mrs. Garner''s funeral. If you need to take care of anything, you can go. I''ll stay here and take care of Maddy."


    Dwight slowly stood up, his eyes red and bloodshot. He had to leave. He had to go back.


    Rachel must be looking for him by now.


    At this moment, he couldn''t even be by his mother''s side.


    If it weren''t for Halsey, he might not have been able to see Tina for thest time.


    The weight of life''s responsibilities had pressed down on him from a young age, leaving him with no choice,


    The more he thought about it, the more he hated it. He wanted revenge. Dwight looked at Halsey. "Halsey, thank you. Thank you for everything


    There was so much he wanted to say, but he didn''t know where to begin. All he could do was express his gratitude. He was thankful that Halsey hade into his life when he needed her the most, standing by his side during his darkest moments. Halsey stepped forward and hugged Dwight. She pressed her face to his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. "You don''t need to thank me. If you need to cry, then cry. I know that you''re hurting, that you''re in so much pain.''