The night sky looked dark as if what had happened. The ambulance sirens wailed through the air, clashing with the sound of my daughter's soft cries in my arms. Her body felt so weak, ever. Every she took sounded heavy, and her small fingers gripped my shirt with what little strength she had left.
"Mama..." Laura whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the noise of the moving vehicles. "Why is Papa going with them? He's coming, right?"
My throat felt constricted. I wanted to try to calm her down by telling her that William was on his way, that he would come soon and hold her close. But I couldn't. I could only stare at the screen of my cell phone, which kept bringing up missed calls. William didn't answer. What was he doing to two completely unharmed people?
I could see Carol pulling Priska and them taking cover near Laura's birthday cake table. Nothing was burning any part of their bodies. How can William be blind and think they should be saved first?
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I swallowed them whole. I can't cry in front of Laura. I have to be strong for her. She mustn't think about her father's arrogant behavior.
"Papa will come, dear. You have to be strong, okay?" I kissed her cold, sweaty forehead, hoping she wouldn't see the lie in my voice.
The ambulance stopped with a loud thud in front of the hospital. Several nurses and doctors rushed over, pushing the makeshift bed into the emergency room. I stayed by Laura's side, clutching her increasingly cold hand.
"The patient has serious burns! Prepare for intensive care immediately!" one of the doctors called out, making my panic rise even more.
"Please save my daughter!" I pleaded, almost kneeling before them.
A nurse gently pulled me back. "We'll do our best. Please wait outside."
I staggered back, not knowing what to do. It felt like the world was collapsing before me.
"Katty!”
The familiar voice made me turn my head. My friend, Livia, ran towards me with a panicked look. She embraced me in a tight hug as soon as she reached me.
"I heard about the fire. I came straight here," she said in a hoarse voice. "How is Laura?"
I shook my head, my tears finally falling unbidden. "She's critical, Livia. I don't know what to do. I've tried to contact William, but he's not answering..."
Livia swore softly. "Doesn't he know how Laura is? Where is he now?"
I bit my lip, trying to call him again. This time, the line finally connected after what seemed like an eternity.
"William!" I almost shouted, my chest tight with anger and sadness. "Where are you? Laura needs you now! She's been looking for you!"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, then William's voice rang out. "I can't leave yet. Carol and Priska are still in shock. Priska has been crying since earlier, and she's traumatized by the fire. I need to be here to calm her down."
I was stunned. "Did you hear what I just said? Laura is critical! You have to come now to support her, and she's in the emergency room. Our child needs us now. Please come with us!”
Instead of panicking or rushing over, William let out an annoyed sigh. "Katty, all of this also happened because of your negligence! You chose the place of celebration without first checking safety. If you had been more careful, none of this would have happened!"
I almost dropped my phone. "Are you seriously blaming me now? My daughter is dying, and you're defending Carol and Priska?"
"Carol has no one but me," William continued, his voice full of defense. "I can't just leave them. Especially Priska, who has no father figure; she was so scared and screamed when I wanted to leave the infirmary!"
I heard a child's voice from the other side of the phone. "Papa, don't go... Let Priska sleep..." Priska's voice sounded full of fear.
Then Carol's voice followed. "William, please don't leave us. We need you here."
"Is she in critical condition? Is he wailing in pain like Laura?" I asked in a voice that I almost swallowed again because it hurt so much.
William's gasp sounded so piercing to my ears. “What good are you as a mother if you can't care for your daughter? You have a lot to learn from Carol to raise a child alone. I won't come tonight; tell Laura I'll be with her tomorrow and bring her a present.”
My eyes widened in anger. My hands gripped the phone so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I could feel my blood boiling.
"William, let's get a divorce!"
Without waiting for his reply, I turned off the phone. I couldn't bear to hear one more word from William. I was also sick of hearing Carol and her daughter's spoiled squeaks.
Carol had become a thorn in our household, making William a monster to Laura.
William was testing my already exhausted patience. I had no idea that my daughter's life was no longer precious to him.
Looking back at the emergency room, I saw doctors and nurses running around. One of them was shouting.
"The patient is in cardiac arrest! Take emergency measures immediately!"
My world collapsed instantly. I ran, but someone held me back. "Please let me in! Laura! My child!"
But the door to the Emergency room closed in front of me, leaving me standing in the eerie darkness while the sound of the monitors rang loudly as if they were death knells ready to take away half of my soul.
A nurse came out and approached me; from the look on her face, I could guess what news she had to say.
"Come with me inside."
