There was no reply to my messages.
It wasn't until the next morning that Noe finally responded, and it was as cold as ever: "Agree."
His expected indifference was almost laughable. Alanna's body was still in the morgue, and Noe was her only family. Just as I was about to message him to ask what to do next, he called.
"Is Alanna with you?"
"Don't forget her engagement party today!" Noe's tone was commanding, as if nothing tragic had happened yesterday.
He must have tried calling Alanna this morning and, not reaching her, decided to contact me. Even though I had sent him the details of her death certificate, he didn't believe me. The thought of it left me feeling completely drained.
Just as I was about to hang up, Noe continued, "I might be a bit late getting back from the Alps. Go ahead and greet the guests at the party."
The engagement party was scheduled for three in the afternoon. Despite having taken the day off, Noe chose to extend his hiking trip, treating even his sister's engagement party as an afterthought.
I remained silent, listening in quiet resignation.
"Are you listening?"
His impatience began to seep through the phone. "Make sure to remind Alanna, okay? She's not taking my calls. I hope she hasn't overslept."
After a full day and night without food, my voice was too hoarse to respond. My body and mind were utterly depleted.
Feeling completely powerless, I replied, "Come to the hospital and talk to her yourself."
I sent him the location and turned off my phone.
After resting briefly, I began organizing Alanna's belongings in the hospital room. Her backpack held a bouquet and a speech for the engagement party, which was supposed to be a joyous event but had turned into a tragedy.
Alanna was three years younger than Noe. The two had relied on each other since childhood. When their parents died in a car accident, Alanna protected Noe from fatal harm with her own body. That year was the hardest for Noe, losing his parents and having his sister critically injured and in a coma. When Alanna finally pulled through, he promised to study medicine so he could provide her with the best care.
And yet here he was, choosing to hike with Linda instead of accepting the possibility that something could have happened to his sister. He was neglecting even the faint chance of Alanna's survival.
The thought brought fresh tears to my eyes. I mourned for Alanna's lost future and was chilled by Noe's heartlessness.
My eyes fell on Alanna's phone, left on the table. Remembering her last words, I picked it up and unlocked it, finding myself on a paused recording page.
Just as I was about to play it, the door to the hospital room swung open with a bang, startling me into dropping the phone.
