The morning came too soon.
Zayden hadn't slept. He'd spent the entire night holding Elena close, her head resting on his chest, her breathing faint like the whisper of a forgotten melody. Every breath felt like a miracle. Every second, like a countdown.
The twins were still asleep in the crib at the foot of their bed. The sun spilled across the room, golden and soft — like it was trying to make her last morning beautiful.
"Elena…" Zayden whispered, brushing her hair from her face. "You still with me, baby?"
She smiled faintly. "Always."
"Does it hurt?" he asked, eyes filled with terror.
She shook her head weakly. "Not anymore. I just feel… tired. Like the world is slipping away but I'm still holding on to you."
He choked back a sob. "Then hold tighter. Please."
"I'm trying," she whispered. "But Zay… if I go, I need you to promise me something."
"Anything," he breathed, his voice cracking.
"Promise me you'll still sing to them. Our lullaby. Even if you can't sing."
He laughed tearfully. "I'll sing it every night."
"And tell them how much I loved them. That even though I was here for such a short time… they were the greatest thing I ever did."
Zayden nodded, tears falling onto her hand.
"I left something for you," she whispered.
He looked confused. "What?"
"In the closet. A box. For after…"
"Elena—"
"I need you to read it when I'm gone. Not before. Promise me."
He clenched his jaw. "I promise."
Then she turned to him with eyes so full of love it shattered him. "I love you, Zayden. I always will. You were my always."
"I love you too, more than life," he whispered, kissing her temple again and again, like he could kiss her back to life.
And then… her chest rose… and didn't fall.
He waited.
Waited for her to breathe.
Waited for her to open her eyes.
Waited for the miracle.
But it didn't come.
"Elena?" he whispered. "Elena, wake up."
Silence.
"Elena—no. No. No. Baby—wake up!" He shook her gently, then harder, sobbing.
The twins stirred in their sleep, sensing something wrong.
"Come back," he begged, clinging to her lifeless body. "Please come back. Please—don't leave me."
He buried his face into her neck, screaming. His whole world was still, shattered, crumbling in slow motion.
---
— The Box
Three days later, after the funeral, after everyone had gone…
He opened the box.
Inside was a letter, her handwriting soft and neat.
> My Zay,
If you're reading this… I'm probably gone. And I'm so sorry. I wish I could've stayed. I wish I had more mornings with you, more nights where you hold me, more time to watch the twins grow.
But I need you to be strong. For them. For you. For me.
Inside this box, there's a video. I recorded it the night after we found out. I wanted the twins to have something — to know my voice, to see my face.
Play it when they ask about me.
And Zay… please keep living. Please fall asleep with someone who loves you again. I want your heart to beat fully, not halfway.
You were never mine to keep, but you were mine to love. And that love will never die.
Forever yours, Elena
His hands trembled as he held the letter to his chest and sobbed uncontrollably.
---
Scene — The Video
Later that night, with the twins on his lap, he played the video.
Elena's face lit up the screen. She looked radiant. Brave. Soft.
> "Hi, Liora. Hi, Elio. If you're watching this, I'm not there anymore. But that doesn't mean I'm gone. I live in your laugh, in the shape of your eyes, in the love your dad gives you every day."
"Be kind. Be brave. Be gentle with the world. And always remember, your mom loved you more than anything else in this life."
"And if your dad forgets to make your sandwiches the way I did—cut into triangles—remind him gently, okay?"
Zayden clutched them both against his chest, crying silently as they watched.
"Dada?" Liora whispered. "Why you cryin'?"
He kissed the top of her head. "Because Mommy loved you so much. And I miss her every second."