But what did Wade mean by “do this to her? Was he talking about… giving up on Narelle?


    I stood frozen by the doorway, watching as Wade’s face tightened with strain. His fists were


    clenched, hanging stiffly by his sides, hisplexion pale, almost ghostly.


    “Are you deaf? I told you to leave! Leave!” the middle–aged woman cried out, her voice rising as


    she


    shoved him.


    Wade stumbled slightly but steadied himself. “At least let me stay with her until the end. Please.”


    “It’s your fault! If it wasn’t for you, she wouldn’t be like this!” the woman screamed, pounding weakly


    on his chest. “Give me back my Narelle! Give me back my daughter!”


    So she was Narelle’s mom, Mrs. Yule.


    Watching this, my heart ached. I wanted to step in, say something, do anything to help.


    Before I could move, Mr. Yule walked over and gently pulled her away. “Stop. Let Narelle have


    some


    peace.”


    “Narelle… my Narelle…” Mrs. Yule’s sobs grew louder, her body trembling in her husband’s arms.


    Mr. Yule led her out of the room, and I was so caught up in the scene that I forgot to step aside.


    When they came face–to–face with me, I quickly realized my mistake.


    1


    “Uh, hi…” I greeted awkwardly.


    “Narelle… my Narelle…” Mrs. Yule’s eyes widened, and suddenly, she grabbed hold of me, her


    grip


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    surprisingly tight.


    I knew I resembled Narelle, but I hadn’t expected this reaction, Grief can do strange things, and


    right now,


    it was like she thought I was her.


    Mr. Yule, moreposed, gently pulled her back, though his gaze stayed locked on me, startled.


    “You… who are you?”


    “My name is Keira Kay,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.


    “Keira Kay?” Mrs. Yule repeated, shaking her head before turning to her husband. “Honey, this…


    this is…”


    “She isn’t Narelle,” Mr. Yule said gently, his voice soft like he was trying to convince both her and


    himself. She just looks like her.”


    Mrs. Yule’s eyes darted between me and the room behind her. Slowly, she let go of my hand, her


    face crumpling as she whispered, “She isn’t Narelle. Narelle is gone.”


    Hearing her say that hit me like a punch to the chest.


    “Why do you look so much like my daughter?” Narelle’s mom demanded, her voice sharp, her grief


    turning into something angrier.


    How would I know?


    “Are you doing this on purpose? Trying to trick us by looking like my daughter? she used, her


    voice


    trembling with emotion.


    Mr. Yule quickly stepped in, his voice calming. “You’re seeing things because you miss Narelle too


    much. Miss Kay doesn’t look like her at all.”


    “Yes, Narelle was so much more beautiful,” Mrs. Yule muttered, casting onest nce at me


    before turning away.


    I lowered my head slightly, avoiding her gaze as Mr. Yule coaxed her down the hall.


    “I want Narelle…” she cried, her voice growing softer as they walked away, her fists weakly hitting


    her husband’s chest.


    Mr. Yule didn’t react, just took it quietly, though he looked back at me once more, his eyes lingering,


    clearly unsettled by the resemnce.


    Inside Narelle’s room, her other rtives were gathered around her bed. They were so close to her


    that Wade couldn’t get near, though he stayed standing at the edge of the room, eyes locked on


    her, not moving.


    I thought about going in, but something told me it wasn’t the right time. And even if Wade dide


    out, what would I say? How could I possiblyfort him in a situation like this?


    Still… I couldn’t shake the question running through my mind.


    What did Wade mean when he asked if they were “going to do this to her“?