Chapter 38. I Still Love You

Theo

The beeping of machines was the only sound present there.

The room was large and entirely white, with too many machines and too little furniture. I approached slowly and cautiously, seeing a completely unfamiliar figure lying on that bed. The once-beautiful Emília Azevedo now lay with her head free of the black, silky strands she had loved so much. Dark circles underlined her tired eyes, and her lips were dry. Her body was thin, but her belly was large and swollen, just like her legs and feet.

My mother breathed slowly, with great difficulty, demonstrating how tired she was. At times, she groaned in pain, and at others, her body trembled with slight spasms, breaking my heart.

This person bore no resemblance to my mother, the woman I had always admired and loved. Yet, even in her fragility, I could say she was beautiful. I touched her hand, feeling it cold, and couldn't hold back the tears that welled up in me. It was too painful to see her i