He weighed the consequences of any change and, after a few minutes of reflection, made a risky decision. If it’s the right medication, but we’re using less than necessary, then we need to increase the dose. We can’t continue like this, Daniel thought resolutely. With steady hands, he prepared the new dose, calculating carefully to avoid any risk. After administering the medication, Daniel watched the monitors closely, looking for any changes in Alicia’s vital signs. Nothing seemed different at first glance, but he knew the results might take time to appear.
He wrote everything down in his notebook, noting the change in dosage and planning to monitor the effects over the next few hours. “I hope this makes a difference. Alicia deserves a chance, and I can’t give up now,” he thought as he organized the rest of the bottles. By the end of the day, Daniel realized the medication was running out faster than expected. He made a few more notes in his notebook, preparing to inform Natalia about the need to restock soon.
However, he decided to keep the change in dosage a secret for now to avoid unnecessary arguments. He turned off the lights in Alicia’s room, but lingered for a few minutes in the doorway, silently watching her. I’ll do whatever it takes, even if no one else understands. I can’t let them neglect her, he thought before finally leaving. The days passed, but Alicia’s room seemed frozen in time, unchanging and heavy. Daniel, however, felt the pressure of his recent decisions growing stronger.
He had increased the medication dosage, but instead of signs of improvement, all he saw were the monitors registering Alicia’s steady decline. It was as if with every choice he was only prolonging the inevitable. “I did the right thing. Maybe I’m just clinging to a hope that no longer has any reason to exist,” Daniel thought as he closed the door to the little girl’s room. The next morning, the house was shrouded in an oppressive silence until Daniel heard footsteps creeping down the hall.
She entered the kitchen, where Ernesto was already sitting at the table, his shoulders slumped and his expression hard. Natalia, standing by the counter, seemed distracted, but she was watching her brother’s every move. Daniel joined them, still pondering what he would say about Alicia’s worsening condition. When everyone was seated, Ernesto broke the silence with a sentence that hit them like a bomb. “I’ve decided. I’m going to make an appointment with the doctor.”
I think it’s time to discuss discontinuing Alicia’s devices. Natalia’s fork clattered onto her plate with a sharp, metallic sound as Daniel froze, unable to process what he’d just heard. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Ernesto,” Natalia exclaimed, her voice thick with a mixture of indignation and disbelief. “Giving up on Alicia now? You’re selfish. She’s still here, still fighting every day. How can you just throw it all away?” Ernesto slowly raised his gaze, unable to hide the weariness and pain he carried.
It’s not giving up, Natalia, it’s accepting that she has no more chances. I just want her suffering to end. I can’t keep seeing my daughter like this. Daniel looked at them both, trying to remain calm, but the conflict between them seemed about to erupt. Perhaps Ernesto is simply being honest about something everyone is afraid to admit, or perhaps he’s succumbing to his own guilt, Daniel thought before deciding to intervene. I understand how difficult this is, Ernesto, Daniel began, choosing his words carefully.
But as someone who’s been closely monitoring Alicia, I can say there are still small signs we shouldn’t ignore. I don’t want to raise false hopes, but maybe we can still give her more time. Ernesto shook his head, his expression hardening even more. Time for what, Daniel? For her to stay hooked up to those machines while we pretend that’s life. You don’t understand what it’s like to be her father. To carry that guilt every day, Ernesto replied, his voice rising and becoming more emotional.
Daniel felt the weight of those words and looked at Natalia, hoping she could help calm his brother. But instead of backing down, Natalia slammed her fist on the table, her patience visibly exhausted. “Don’t talk as if you’re the only one who feels this way, Ernesto. Do you think it’s easy for me to see my niece in this situation? But unlike you, I still believe she can come back. I still see a chance, however small.”
Ernesto stood up abruptly, slamming his chair back with a sound that echoed through the kitchen. “You say that because she’s not your daughter, Natalia. You don’t understand what it’s like to feel you failed to protect her,” he said, his eyes welling with tears, before leaving the kitchen, his meal unfinished. Daniel watched the scene with a lump in his throat, feeling the oppressive tension that seemed to hang over the house. When Ernesto left, Natalia remained silent for a few minutes, staring at the table.
Daniel sensed something different about her demeanor, something that didn’t seem like mere sadness for Alicia’s situation. She stood up slowly, saying softly, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I need a moment alone.” Daniel nodded, watching her as she walked into the hallway. Her bedroom door closed with a soft click, but the sound seemed to echo throughout the house. Daniel was left alone in the kitchen, trying to piece together what had just happened.
Sitting at the table, Daniel rested his face in his hands, reflecting on everything he had heard that morning. Ernesto’s idea of withdrawing Alicia’s life support deeply disturbed him, but he also couldn’t ignore the pain the man carried. At the same time, he couldn’t understand Natalia’s intense reaction, which seemed to be directed at Ernesto not only for Alicia, but for something much deeper. What was really going on here? This kind of desperation didn’t come out of nowhere.
There’s something more, but no one wants to talk about it, Daniel thought, feeling the weight of his own doubts growing. After a few minutes, Daniel got up and went to Alicia’s room, feeling he needed to be near her to clear his mind. The constant sound of the monitors was almost comforting. Amid the tension in the house, he sat down by the bed, gently taking her hand. “If only you could tell me something, Alicia.”
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