A young woman in the final stage of a terminal illness, fully aware that she didn’t have much time left, made one last unusual request to be buried hugging the skeleton of her deceased mother. But during the funeral, when the skeleton is placed beside the young woman, her father notices a shocking detail that makes him fall to his knees, screaming, “Stop this funeral right now.

 

 

Stop it immediately. Please bring her mother’s skeleton,” said Victor, his voice trembling with grief. The silence that followed was seul stunned, unable to believe what they had just heard. The atmosphere of the funeral, already heavy, grew even denser, as if something invisible had descended upon the room and sucked the air from it.

Victor, the father of the young woman who had passed away, walked slowly to the casket. With trembling hands, he gently touched his daughter’s pale, cold face. Lily was only 20 years old, far too young to be lying there, still and eternal. Her dark hair framed a face that once radiated life, joy, and brightness.

 Now it was motionless, colorless, missing the smile that had once lit up everything around it, especially her father’s heart. “My princess,” he murmured, his voice barely audible as he stroked her face with the back of his hand. “Why so soon?” “Why, you too, my God?” he whispered, lifting his tearful eyes to the ceiling as if begging for an answer that would never come.

 Two years earlier, he had already been broken by the death of his wife, Catherine. Now, it felt as if life had ripped away what little he had left. Catherine had died in a terrible accident. And now, Lily, taken by a cruel illness. Victor felt like an empty man wandering through ruins. Then, two funeral attendants entered the room. They carried with a near ritual reverence what was left of Catherine.

Her skeleton wrapped in a sheet white as snow, held with solemn care, as if every bone still carried a piece of her soul. As the sight unfolded, all eyes turned to them. It was impossible to look away. It was disturbing, haunting, and completely unexpected.

 Clare, Victor’s youngest daughter, just 12 years old, stepped forward, her wide eyes locked onto the bundle with unease. She pointed, hesitant, and asked in a small voice, “Daddy, is that mommy?” Victor knelt before the girl and pulled her close. His eyes were red, his voice caught. “Yes, sweetheart. It’s your mother. Now she’s going to sleep beside Lily.

 The two of them will stay together forever.” Clare nodded slowly. She didn’t seem to fully understand, but she didn’t question it either. Her gaze, however, was confused. The kind of confusion that comes from sensing something deeply wrong. But in the midst of so much grief, there was no room for clarity, only acceptance.

 Valerie, the doctor who had cared for Lily through her final years and had become almost part of the family, approached slowly. She looked at the white sheet covering Catherine’s remains with a mix of unease and chills. “Victor,” she said, hesitant. “Are you sure this is really necessary?” Her arms were covered in goosebumps. This went far beyond the boundaries of normal.

 It was a scene she never imagined witnessing, not even at a funeral. Victor closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Pain was carved into every line of his face. “It was her wish, Valerie,” he replied, his voice tight. “It was my daughter’s final request, and I I promised I’d honor it.” Valerie swallowed hard, still staring at the skeleton of the woman, who years ago had also been her patient.

 Maybe, maybe it would be better to bury them in adjacent graves, each with their own resting space. But Victor only shook his head, firm. No, doctor. Catherine and Lily were inseparable. Lily declined rapidly after she lost her mother. The truth is, what really killed her was the longing. She said she couldn’t bear the distance anymore.

 And when she knew the end was near, she asked to sleep with her mother, to rest in her arms in the same casket. Valerie said nothing. In the face of such sorrow, there was no room for reason. There were only promises, memories, and despair. The two funeral agents approached, carrying the skeleton wrapped in white cloth. It was surreal to witness.

 Some turned their eyes away. Others couldn’t. It felt like watching a scene from another world. A ritual lost in time. Macabb to some, sacred to others. Victor looked at what was once his wife. For a moment, one no one else would understand. He saw her glow again. Catherine, his great love, the woman who made him dream, who had built that family by his side.

 He saw her smile, smelled her perfume, heard her laughter, even if just for a second inside his memory. With trembling hands, he reached out and helped the attendants placed the skeleton inside the casket. Every movement was slow, silent, as if something sacred were taking place.

 When they finally positioned the skeletal remains next to Lily, he gently adjusted his daughter’s arms so that they looked like they were embracing what was left of her mother. The silence in the room was absolute. All that could be heard was the heavy breathing of some and the stifled sobs of others. Victor then took two steps back. His tears soaked face tried to form a smile. A small, crooked, sorrowful smile.

 a smile that was more memory than joy. It was the reflection of a man who had watched everything he loved slip away and still tried to believe he was doing the right thing. Raymond, one of the funeral attendants, cleared his throat discreetly. He had seen many things in his career, but never anything like this.

 All of us right now, he began, his voice steady and respectful, need to remember just how special this mother and daughter were, and that now finally they are together again, in the same embrace, in the same eternal rest. His words hung in the air like a veil, some eyes filled with tears, others closed in silent prayer.

 Victor stood still beside the casket. Clare, his youngest daughter, held his hand tightly. Her eyes were fixed on an image she would never forget. Lily, her beloved sister, lying peacefully, embraced by what remained of their mother. She no longer remembered her mother’s smile. She couldn’t recall her voice. The funeral remained almost entirely silent. Time seemed to have stopped.

 The pain in the room was nearly tangible, as if it filled every inch of that dark, cold hall. One after another, the eulogies were delivered. Each word soaked in sorrow and grief. It was impossible not to be moved by the sight of that open casket where Lily lay, embraced by her own mother’s skeleton. Friends and relatives searched for the right words to comfort one another.

 But what could possibly be said in the face of such tragedy? Victor was a broken man, and Clare, though only 12, already knew too well what loss tasted like. First her mother and now her sister. It was too much pain for such a small heart. Glances were exchanged across the room, many filled with discomfort and confusion.

 Some whispered among themselves, clearly shaken by the unusual decision to bury mother and daughter in the same casket, especially with the skeleton of the deceased Catherine. It all felt too strange, even inappropriate. But no one had the courage to question it. The pain of that family was so great that silence was the only possible response. Then Raymond, the funeral director, stepped forward. His expression was grave, solemn.

 He took a deep breath before announcing, “We’ll now begin the final farewell. Those who wish to say goodbye to Lily and in a way to Catherine as well may come forward. After that, we’ll close the casket. One by one, the mourers approached, heads bowed. Some whispered words of love. Others just stared silently, their eyes filled with tears.

 Trembling hands touched Lily’s still face as if trying somehow to reach her soul one last time. And then only two remained, Victor and Clare. The girl stepped forward, her eyes, young yet far too mature, locked onto the skeleton that had once been her mother. With a steady voice, she whispered, “Take care of Lily in heaven, Mommy.” Victor broke down in tears. He covered his face with his hands, but the tears spilled freely between his fingers.

I one day I’ll find you both again, my loves,” he said, weeping as he never had before. Raymond and another funeral attendant approached. Gently they closed the lid of the casket. Lily’s image vanished beneath the dark wood, and in that moment, it was as if the sound of the world disappeared. An oppressive silence filled the room.

 Several male relatives and friends stepped forward. They took hold of the casket’s side handles and along with Victor began to carry it toward the grave. Victor walked as if dragging the weight of an entire lifetime. At his side, Clare followed with small but determined steps. She was just a child. But in that moment, she seemed to carry the heart of someone who had lived far too much.

 Once again, that man walked that path. But now it wasn’t just Catherine inside. It was also Lily. The two of them side by side in the darkness of the casket, and him on the outside, completely powerless. When they reached the edge of the grave, the men carefully positioned the casket over the straps that would lower it.

 Clare, with a delicate gesture, plucked a flower from the small bouquet of white roses she had brought and laid it on top of the casket. Goodbye, Mommy. Goodbye, Lily,” she whispered, eyes locked on the wooden lid. Others came forward, too, placing flowers at top the coffin until only Victor remained. The man stepped forward, holding a single white rose between his fingers, his daughter’s favorite flower. He bent down, about to place it, when he heard something.

“Mom!” The whispered word sliced through the air like a blade. He froze. His eyes widened. The rose slipped from his hand. A chill ran down his spine. “Did Did anyone else hear that?” he asked, stepping back, visibly shaken. Valerie approached, concerned by his expression. “What is it, Victor?” she asked.

“I I heard someone say, “Mom,” he said, placing a hand on his chest. “It must have been a child. There are lots of families here. Lily was very loved, Valerie suggested, trying to calm him. But Victor shook his head, breathing heavily. No, it didn’t come from outside.

 The voice, it came from the casket, from inside it. The doctor hesitated. That didn’t make sense. She knew the effects of griefo and prolonged suffering. She understood how the mind could play tricks. “You’re in deep pain. It could have been your imagination, Victor. It’s time to let Lily rest. I’ll ask them to lower the casket.” But he didn’t seem to hear.

 He moved slowly toward the grave, bent over the casket, ready to be buried. And then he heard it again. “Mom!” The voice was muffled, but unmistakable. It was Lily. He was sure of it. Stop this funeral right now. He screamed desperate. Stop immediately, please. My daughter. I heard my daughter’s voice. Everyone turned to look at him. Some were frightened, others confused.

Raymond ran toward him. Victor, I know it’s hard, but Lily is gone. Your daughter is in a better place now. You have to be strong. We need to continue the funeral. No, no, we’re not continuing anything. I heard her voice. She’s alive. My daughter is alive. He cried more agitated by the second. Valerie tried to hold him back. Please, Victor, you’re not well.

 What you’re saying makes no sense. Unfortunately, your daughter is gone, and now we have to give her a proper burial. But he wouldn’t give in. No, I swear it wasn’t in my head. I know what I heard. It was Lily’s voice. Clare, frightened, watched her father in silence until, moved by both curiosity and doubt, she approached the casket. She knelt beside it and pressed her ear to the wood.

 She closed her eyes and then she heard it, but it wasn’t her sister’s voice. It was a soft, gentle voice, familiar. “Your time hasn’t come yet. Wake up, my daughter.” Clare jolted back, her eyes wide, her breath short and erratic. She was in shock. “They they’re talking to each other,” she cried, terrified. “Mom spoke to Lily. I heard it.” A wave of commotion spread across the crowd.

 Victor collapsed to his knees, completely overtaken by despair. Open this casket now,” he shouted. “Open it!” Valerie tried one last time to calm him, but it was no use. He threw himself over the casket and began unlocking the side latches himself. Raymond, seeing that there was no stopping him, stepped forward to assist. The doctor, though reluctant, nodded.

“Let’s open it, but after this, you have to let her go,” Valerie said completely skeptical. They lifted the casket off the lowering straps. Victor, his hands shaking, unlatched the side. Raymond and another attendant lifted the lid.

 When the inside of the casket was revealed once again, a heavy silence fell over the room. Victor dropped to his knees, breathless. Clare pointed toward the center of the casket, her eyes wide open, mouth slightly a gape. Everyone present without exception raised their hands to their mouths. What they saw made no sense at all. It was something no one ever could explain. But to truly understand what was happening at that funeral, we must go back in time.

 Back to a moment when there was no pain, no tears, only joy, laughter, and love in that family. It was a quiet night. Clare, the youngest daughter, played with Victor in the living room. The two were sitting on the rug, focused on a memory card game. The girl was happy, focused, trying to beat her father.

 Every time she found a matching pair, she clapped her hands in celebration as if she had just won a championship. Suddenly, a cold breeze drifted through the slightly open window and swept across the room, making the girl’s skin shiver. Daddy, it’s really cold in here, she said, hugging her arms. I think I’m going to bed. I’ve already won too many times. Victor smiled, brushing her hair back gently.

All right, sweetheart. Go warm up, he said in that protective tone only a father has. Clare carefully gathered the cards and ran toward the hallway. As she ran, she noticed something familiar. Her parents’ bedroom door was slightly open. She knew exactly what that meant.

 Catherine, her mother, always hid in there on cold nights, wrapped in the blankets like a child. Curious, Clare pushed the door open with her fingertips and peeked inside. But what she saw made her stop in her tracks. There, lying under the thick blanket, was her mother, cuddled up with Lily. The two were fast asleep, snuggled close. It was a beautiful sight, but the youngest daughter couldn’t help feeling a bit jealous.

 “Oh, nice, huh?” she mumbled, crossing her arms. “I’m the baby of the family, and you’re the one taking mom’s cuddle spot.” Lily slowly opened her eyes, smiled at her sister’s reaction, and teased her with a playful grin. Catherine, in turn, shifted on the bed, and made room between them.

 There’s space for you, too, my little one, said the mother, extending an arm. Come here. Come get warm with us. Clare jumped into the bed without thinking twice. She wedged herself between the two, wrapping herself in the blanket. The three began to laugh, huddled close, warmed not just by the covers, but by the love they shared.

 Minutes later, Victor appeared at the door, wearing a mock expression of disbelief. Well, and no one invited me,” he joked, walking into the room with arms wide open. “I want to get warm, too.” Lily laughed. “But Dad, you’re hogging all the blankets. I’m freezing over here.” “Then come here, Lily. Let’s have one more group hug. That way, everyone stays warm,” said Catherine, laughing.

 And so, the four of them snuggled together on the bed like one happy family. Their laughter echoed through the house, filling every corner with joy. Little did they know that would be the last night they’d laugh together. The next morning, before the sun had even risen, Catherine woke up first. She got out of bed quietly, got dressed carefully, and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

 Not long after, Victor also woke. When he came downstairs, he found his wife already ready, her bag slung over her shoulder. “Love, where are you going so early?” he asked, surprised. Catherine approached him and replied sweetly. “I’m going to the next town to pick up Lily’s medication. Better to get it now before that cold front they mentioned on TV hits hard.

” Lily had been diagnosed just a few months earlier with Euing’s saroma, an extremely aggressive form of bone cancer. Since then, the family’s routine had changed drastically. Catherine and Victor were fighting a daily battle to ensure their daughter received the best treatment possible. Every day, they searched for new hope, a new chance, a way to slow the disease’s advance.

 Upon hearing that his wife was going to get more medication, Victor frowned. But don’t we still have enough for a few more days? We have some, but they said it’s going to snow really hard this week. What if the road gets blocked? We can’t risk running out of medication. You know, it’s essential for Lily’s treatment.

Do you want me to go? Victor offered. You can stay with the girls. I can handle it. But Catherine shook her head firmly and took his hand. You’ve worked so much this week already. Get some rest. Let me go. I’m already dressed. And besides, it’ll be nice to drive a little.

 She gave her husband a kiss and before leaving, stopped at the bedroom door. The girls were still asleep, cuddled together. Catherine stood there for a few seconds, watching them with a serene smile and slightly teary eyes, as if deep down she knew this would be her final goodbye. Two long hours passed until the phone rang. Victor answered, never imagining his life was about to change forever.

 On the other end, a cold, direct voice, a police officer. The news was delivered without a shred of compassion. Catherine had lost control of the car on her way back and didn’t survive. Upon hearing that his wife was gone, Victor dropped the phone to the floor. A scream tore from his throat and echoed through the house.

 A scream that Clare and Lily would never forget. A scream of pain, of loss, of despair. The world collapsed. The pain was unbearable. Clare, still very young, found comfort in her father’s arms. But Lily, Lily was shattered. For her, Catherine was more than just a mother. She was her hero, her best friend, her anchor. And losing her like that felt like being thrown into a stormy ocean with no way to swim.

At the funeral, Lily cried uncontrollably. She was inconsolable. As she approached her mother’s casket, she knelt down and placed both hands on the cold wood. “Forgive me, Mom. Please forgive me,” she swooped. If I hadn’t gotten sick, you wouldn’t have left the house. You’d still be alive. It’s my fault.

 You went to get my medicine, and that’s why you died.” Victor slowly approached, his eyes swollen from crying. He knelt beside his daughter and placed a hand on her shoulder. Don’t say that, my love. It wasn’t your fault. It was a tragedy. This could have happened to anyone. anywhere. It wasn’t your fault. It never was. But inside, he himself was shattered.

 He felt empty, helpless, crushed by the loss. He kept asking himself why God had taken the love of his life. And he had no idea that life still had an even deeper pain in store. Nearly 2 years had passed since Catherine’s death. The pain still weighed heavily on that family. A silent burden that lingered in every corner of the house.

 And yet they tried to live, tried to carry on however they could, no matter how hard it was. Victor threw himself into his work as a carpenter right there in the backyard where he had set up a small woodworking space. And besides working, he shared his time caring for his two daughters, especially Lily. The truth was the situation had become nearly unbearable.

Lily’s illness progressed more and more each day. Silent, cruel. The girl who was once full of life now lived in a wheelchair. Her strength was fading day by day, her mobility slipping through her fingers. Clare was almost 12 years old now, but acted as if she were twice that. She helped her father with everything she could.

 She had unintentionally taken on a role that never should have been hers. She was no longer just a child. She was almost like an adult woman, caring for the house, her father, and her sister. She often cooked meals, kept everything organized, doing her best to fill the spaces left by what life had taken away. That afternoon, while Victor hammered away in the workshop, Clare focused on the kitchen.

 She baked a chocolate cake all by herself, topping it generously with brigade. Proud, she placed a slice on a plate and filled a glass with strawberry juice, balancing both carefully in her hands. She ran out to her father, a bright smile on her face. Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction. “It turned out amazing, Dad. You have to try it.

 This time I got the batter just right,” she said excitedly, handing him the plate. Victor swallowed hard. He gently took the slice of cake and brought it to his mouth. He chewed slowly, trying to hold back the emotion rising in his chest. Then he smiled. “It’s perfect. Really,” he said, his voice tight with emotion. “You’re going to be a great chef someday, Clare.

” But then he lowered his head slightly and added sincerely, “But I don’t want to see you cooking for me. If you want chocolate cake, just ask. I’ll buy it for you.” Clare didn’t hesitate. She responded with surprising maturity. “Dad, I know things are hard. I know you don’t have much money. It’s cheaper to make it than to buy. We have to save what we can for what Lily needs.

” Victor felt a tightness in his chest. He crouched down to his daughter’s level and looked into her eyes. There they were, Catherine’s eyes. The same sweetness, the same light. Sweetheart, your place is playing, having fun. You’re still so young. You shouldn’t be taking care of anyone. I’m the one who’s supposed to take care of both of you.

I’m the one who’s supposed to cook. Clare smiled, placing a gentle hand on her father’s shoulder. “But I am playing, Dad. Playing pretend chef. It’s my favorite game.” And before he could answer, she ran back into the house. “I’m going to take a slice to Lily.” Victor stood still for a few seconds, watching his daughter run off.

 Then he looked up at the sky, eyes glistening with tears. “You gave birth to two angels, Catherine. he whispered, his voice cracking. Clare entered her sister’s room quietly. She found Lily sitting in her wheelchair, almost hugging a photo of their mother. The frame was slightly worn, but Catherine’s image still shone brightly. The girl walked over and sat on the bed next to her sister’s wheelchair.

“I miss her, too,” said Clare, looking at the photo. Lily gave a small smile, her eyes filled with tears, but she tried to hide it. She turned to her sister and before she could say anything, Clare was already holding out the plate with the slice of cake. “Dad loved it,” she said excitedly. “You’re going to love it, too.” Lily took the plate with some difficulty.

 Her movements were slow, heavy, but she managed. She took the first bite and smiled. “It’s perfect.” Clare smiled, happy, but Lily soon turned her gaze back to the photo of their mother. Her eyes seemed distant, lost. “I’d like to go to the cemetery,” she said, thoughtful. “Do you think dad would take us there?” “Of course he would,” Clare answered instantly.

“I’ll go talk to him right now.” But before the girl could stand, Lily raised her voice a little. “No, Clare, wait. Maybe not. Dad’s busy with work. Let’s not bother him. Clare crossed her arms firmly. He’d be more upset if he knew you wanted to visit mom, and I didn’t say anything. Without wasting any time, she ran back out to the yard. Victor put down his hammer the moment he heard the request.

Of course, I’ll take you. Very carefully, he carried his oldest daughter to the car. Clare helped with the seat belts, caring for her sister with the tenderness of someone who knows every small action matters. And then the three of them headed to the cemetery. A few minutes later, they stood before Catherine’s grave.

Lily’s eyes were filled with tears. She rested her head on her father’s shoulder and murmured, “She’s so terribly missed.” Victor nodded. Catherine was incredible. Clare remained silent, just observing. There was no need to say anything. Her eyes said it all. Then Lily broke the silence. Soon I’ll be with her.

Victor shuddered all over. That sentence hit him like thunder. He turned to his daughter, alarmed. Why are you saying that, sweetheart? Lily looked him in the eyes and with tears slowly falling replied, “Because I’m dying, Dad, and you know it.

” Shattered by what he had just heard, the father was so overwhelmed he stumbled a step back. The pain in those words was devastating, Victor looked into his daughter’s eyes and with a choked voice pleaded, “Don’t say that, my love. Never say that again. Don’t ever say you’re dying because that that’s not true. But Lily, her face serious and stern, eyes filled with tears, replied firmly.

There was anger in her voice. Look at me, Dad, she said, struggling, slowly opening her arms as if to show her suffering. I’m in a wheelchair, not even 20 years old, with bone pain all the time, barely able to move. Can’t you see? I’m dying slowly. My life is slipping away.

 Clare, who had been listening nearby, couldn’t take it anymore. Her eyes also began to fill with tears. She stepped closer to her sister, knelt by the wheelchair, and gripped her hand tightly. Don’t think like that, sis,” she said, her voice trembling. “You’re getting treatment. You’re doing everything right. It’s going to work. We can’t lose hope.” Lily looked deep into her sister’s eyes.

There was love there, but also deep pain. “But the treatment, it’s not working, Clare. The truth, the only truth, is that I’m going to go.” She turned her gaze to their mother’s grave. just ahead. She was silent for a few seconds, as if speaking to that cold headstone.

 “When mom was still alive, I still had hope, you know,” she continued, her voice faint. “I felt stronger, more alive. But after after she left, it’s like my body started giving up, too. Every day that passed, a part of me died, too. I pushed too hard. I was stupid. I should have stopped. Stopped fighting a long time ago. I only got worse.

 Victor breathed deeply, trying to hold back his tears. With glistening eyes, he crouched down next to his daughter, resting one hand on the back of the wheelchair. His face was close to hers. He wanted to change her mindset to save her, even if just with words. But Lily kept going. I’m a burden, Dad. I know that. You work yourself to the bone, always sacrificing to pay for my meds.

 And Clare, she looked at her sister with tenderness and guilt. She’s losing her childhood. She’s going to lose her youth, too, just to take care of me. That That’s not fair to you. The best thing The best thing would be for me to go to be with mom. Victor felt his heart shatter into a thousand pieces.

 He stayed quiet for a few seconds, trying to gather strength to respond, but he only managed to say one sentence in the weakest voice he had ever spoken with. If you go too, I won’t make it. But Lily, with serious eyes, slowly shook her head. Yes, you will. You have to because you still have Clare. She needs you. And then in that very instant, Lily fainted. It was as if the world stopped for a second.

 “Liy, Lily!” Victor shouted, shaking his daughter in desperation. “Wake up, sweetheart. Please wake up!” Clare panicked, too, but trying to stay calm, ran to her sister’s side, knelt down, and quickly pressed her fingers to her wrist. “She still has a pulse, Dad. We need to get her to the hospital now.

 Without wasting another second, Victor lifted her into his arms like a father carrying the weight of the world. Meanwhile, Clare running ahead tried to load the wheelchair into the car’s trunk, her hands shaking and her eyes filled with tears. The chaos was intense. They acted with everything they had. And within minutes, they were at the entrance of the nearest hospital.

 Victor jumped out of the car, still carrying his daughter. He ran through the emergency entrance, shouting, “Someone help me. My daughter, she fainted. She’s not responding.” His desperation cut through the air like a knife. His voice echoed through the hallways. And it was in that very moment, by some cruel irony, or perhaps a miracle of fate, that Valerie was just arriving at the hospital to begin her shift.

 Valerie was a respected doctor, a specialist. She had been following Lily’s case for years, and before that, she had been Catherine’s friend. She knew every detail about that family. When she heard Victor’s screams, she ran to him. “Quick, bring a stretcher now!” she shouted to the staff without hesitation.

 “Quick, let’s go!” As soon as the stretcher arrived, Valerie helped carefully place Lily onto it and began pushing it down the hallway towards the emergency room. But before she disappeared through the doors, Victor grabbed her arm for a moment. Please, please, Valerie, don’t let my daughter die. Don’t let another part of me be taken. I won’t survive it.” Valerie stopped.

 She looked into his eyes, and even with a heavy heart, she replied firmly, “I’m going to do everything I can, everything. But right now, I need to go. And she disappeared with the stretcher. Meanwhile, Clare and Victor waited in the reception area. The girl curled into her father’s arms. She cried softly, but her voice tried to offer comfort.

“She’s going to be okay, Dad. Lily is strong. She’s going to make it.” Victor held her tightly. He wanted to believe it. But something inside him told him this night would change everything. And unfortunately, he was right. A few minutes later, Valerie returned. The look on her face was tense, heavy.

 She took a deep breath, then said, “Lily was in the sun too long. The prolonged exposure triggered an intense reaction in her illness. That’s what caused the fainting.” Victor clenched his fists, but she continued, “She’s just sleeping now. Her body is responding. She’ll wake up soon.” The carpenter tried to smile. So did Clare. It was good news. Or at least it seemed to be.

 But in that moment, both father and daughter noticed something strange. A look on Valerie’s face. Something that didn’t match her comforting words. something that maybe hadn’t been said yet. Sensing her father was too afraid to ask, Clare wasted no time. She looked up at the doctor and asked firmly, “What happened? Is there something else you’re not telling us?” Valerie took a deep breath.

 There was a wait in her gaze, a silent warning that something painful was coming. She hesitated for a moment, then turned to Victor, as if asking for permission to continue. Victor understood. He lifted his head slightly and with a steady voice answered, “You can speak, doctor. Whatever it is, you can say it in front of Clare. She’s been there from the beginning. She’s always stood by her sister.

 There’s no reason to hide anything from her now.” Valerie nodded. And then with a deep sigh and sadness all over her face, she revealed, “I’m so sorry, but after Lily fainted, we decided to run some new tests, more advanced ones, to see how the disease was behaving. And unfortunately, it has progressed.” For a moment, time seemed to stop.

 The silence that fell over that hospital hallway was almost physical. Victor frowned, trying to understand what that meant. He swallowed hard and asked, his voice almost a disguised plea. What do you mean? Progressed. But there’s there’s some other treatment, right? Something new we can try.

 The question sounded more like a desperate appeal than a doubt, but Valerie simply shook her head. The cancer has spread, Victor. It’s taken over most of her body. And unfortunately, almost no medication will have any effect at this stage. The only thing we can do now is ensure comfort. Begin paliotative care. The ground seemed to vanish beneath Victor’s feet.

 He understood exactly what that meant. There was nothing more to be done. His daughter, his first born, was really slipping away. He dropped to his knees in the middle of the hallway. His hands covered his face and a scream ripped from deep within his soul. No. It was a loud no full of pain.

 The kind of scream only someone who feels their heart being ripped out can produce. A no that echoed through the hospital as if the world itself needed to hear his grief. Clare covered her mouth, her eyes immediately filled with tears. But even so young, she took a deep breath. She tried to be strong.

 She knelt beside her father and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “It’s going to be okay, Dad,” she whispered, even though she knew it wasn’t. “I’m here with you,” Victor hugged her back, holding tightly as if she were the only thing still keeping him standing. Through tears, he murmured in a broken voice, “What did I do, my God? What did I do to deserve this?” Valerie watched the scene, her eyes misty. She felt powerless, but she respected the moment.

 She let Victor cry. “Let him collapse.” Several hours passed. When they were finally allowed into the room, Victor and Clare went to see Lily. The young woman was lying in the hospital bed, pale, her body nearly motionless. She couldn’t even lift her arm anymore. Her father walked in slowly, forcing a smile. He needed to be strong for her.

He had to hide the despair consuming him inside. “Hi, sweetheart,” he said gently. “We’ll be here for a while, okay? They’re going to take good care of you, but soon we’ll be back home. We’re still going to find a cure. I promise. You’re going to be fine, my love.

 But Lily only shook her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips. “Dad,” she murmured, “you don’t have to protect me from the truth.” She looked at her own body, weak, unresponsive. Then locking eyes with her father, she asked, “The illness has spread, hasn’t it?” Clare sat on the edge of the bed. Her hands gently touched her sister’s hair as if stroking memories.

 Victor took a while to respond. He breathed deeply, feeling the weight of the words he had to say. And then he spoke, “Yes, it has spread almost throughout your whole body. Lily closed her eyes for a moment. Then she said in a faint voice, “So, it was only ever a matter of time, wasn’t it?” Victor wanted to say no.

 Wanted to scream that there was still hope, but when he opened his mouth, his voice failed. He tried to mask it. “We can still fight. There’s still a chance. I’ll leave right now and look for new treatments, even if I have to sell the house to pay for it.” But Lily just smiled, a peaceful smile full of calm. Her eyes held a spiritual depth rare in someone so young.

“Dad, I don’t want to fight anymore. I don’t want to keep suffering, going through these treatments that only make me weaker. And I don’t want you and Clare giving up anything else because of me. It’s time to rest and I’m ready. She then turned her face with some effort and looked at Clare. Can I ask you something, little sister? Clare nodded. Of course you can.

 Ask anything you want. Lily took a labored breath and said, “When I go, I want you to live. Really live. I want you to be the child you’re not able to be right now. And when you grow up, I want you to enjoy your youth, to find love, to live fully, to travel, to dream, to laugh a lot, and above all, she smiled. To give our dad a hard time, because you know how stubborn he is.

 All he thinks about is taking care of us, and he needs to be happy, too.” She looked into her sister’s eyes filled with affection. “Do you promise? Promise me you’ll move forward.” Clare swallowed back her tears. She wanted to say the same thing her father had said earlier, that everything would be okay, that there was still time.

 But deep down, she knew lying wouldn’t help. “I promise, sis. I’ll be really happy for me and for you.” The two hugged. Clare felt her sister’s body warmer than expected, full of emotion. Lily, her eyes wet with tears, looked at her father and nodded. Victor stepped closer, and the three of them shared a tight, silent, long hug.

 One of those hugs that tries to hold on to time. A little later, Lily said she wanted to talk to her father alone. Clare understood and stepped out, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands. Alone, Lily looked at Victor and spoke in a low voice, “Dad, I have a special request, but you can’t say no.” The man stepped closer to the bed and held her hand gently.

 “Anything, sweetheart. Anything.” And then Lily spoke calmly, but with intensity. When I die, I want to be buried with mom in the same casket hugging her skeleton. But before we continue and find out the emotional ending to this story, go ahead and click the like button, turn on the notification bell, and subscribe to the channel.

 That’s the only way YouTube will let you know whenever a new story is posted. Now tell me, do you think that when someone passes away, they should be buried in the same grave as a loved one who passed before, or should each have their own resting place? And while you’re at it, let me know if you believe in life after death.

 I’ll mark every comment that answers this question with a beautiful heart. Now, back to our story. For a moment, Victor was in shock, completely frozen. It was as if time had stopped in that small sentence. That request that defied all understanding. He stammered. His mouth trembled. His eyes searched for words. But before any sound escaped his lips, Lily gently interrupted him.

 “Dad, sit here next to me.” The young woman pointed to the chair beside the bed. Her voice was weak, but steady. Victor, still stunned, just obeyed, sat down slowly, unable to form a response. His heart was heavy. The silence was nearly unbearable. Lily, with great effort, stretched out her arm and placed her hand over his. The touch was light, fragile, but full of meaning.

It was as if she were trying to anchor him to the present before he drifted into the panic of what was coming. Dad,” she began, a serene smile on her lips. “Do you remember the good moments? All of us together, you, Mom, Clare, and me.” Victor looked at her, eyes already brimming with tears.

 “I remember everything, sweetheart.” Lily took a deep breath, struggling slightly, and continued, “There was that day, that chilly night. Remember when all four of us squeezed into the same bed? Mom was hugging me and Clare came in throwing a tantrum because she wanted cuddles, too. In the end, both of you got under the blanket, too.

 We laughed so much, Victor smiled, even through the pain. “That was the last time we all laughed together,” he murmured. Lily nodded softly. But before that, when it was just me and mom, she told me stories, talked about her childhood, laughed with me, ran her fingers through my hair. It was a special day, just the two of us.

 And now I feel ready to see her again. She looked her father in the eyes with a gaze that pierced through all resistance. I know they’ll bury me in the same grave as her, but why not the same casket? Why can’t we stay close hugging like before? Victor felt his heart squeeze.

 Each word from his daughter felt like it tore a piece of his soul, but he didn’t answer. He was paralyzed. “Dad,” Lily insisted, tears forming in her eyes. When they go to bring out her remains, place her skeleton beside me. Let me reach her faster on the other side of paradise. Promise me that. Victor felt a knot in his throat, his eyes filled with tears. He could no longer hold back.

 He took his daughter’s hand more tightly, gripping it with love, with despair, with pain. I promise, sweetheart. I promise. And that same night, Lily closed her eyes and didn’t open them again. Clare and Victor were in the room, silent when the sound from the heart monitor changed. The flatline beep filled the room like thunder. A cold sound, a sound that shattered hope.

 Lily’s heart had stopped. “No, no!” shouted Victor, rushing to the bed. He leaned over his daughter’s body, crying uncontrollably. my daughter. No, please. You can’t leave me. You’re too young. No, not like this. The tears ran uncontrollably. His body trembled. The pain was unbearable, sharp, crushing. Clare was crying, too, but differently.

 She seemed calmer, as if somehow she had already been prepared for this. Her eyes were red, but her body remained steady. Valerie, the doctor, stepped in. Her expression confirmed what the monitor had already declared. The young woman was gone. Clare stepped closer to her sister. She bent over the lifeless body and whispered into Lily’s ear.

When you find mom, tell her I love her so much. And then something unbelievable happened. That hospital room filled with light. A brilliant flash overtook the space. It was as if time and space had dissolved for a moment. Everything became white, pure, glowing.

 Lily opened her eyes slowly, and what she saw in front of her was the image of a woman in a white dress with loose hair and a smile that lit up everything around. She blinked twice, trying to understand what she was seeing. And then with a voice choked by emotion, she whispered, “Mom.” Catherine smiled and reached out her hand. Lily felt her body light.

 So light it felt like she was floating. There was no pain, no weight. She stood up with ease, walked toward the figure in front of her. One step, then another, and another. With every step, she felt more free. Catherine kept smiling, her eyes shining with love. Lily then looked back for a moment and saw she saw herself lying on the hospital bed.

 She saw her father collapsed over her body. She saw Clare standing with tears in her eyes. Everything around her moved in slow motion. A white aura surrounded the space. Lily turned back to her mother. I did I die? Catherine didn’t answer with words. Instead, the scene shifted. Lily was engulfed in light.

 And suddenly, she was somewhere else. A vast green field, beautiful, magical trees, flowers, a gentle breeze. Everything was heavenly. Catherine was there. She opened her arms. Lily ran to her, hugged her tightly. I missed your hug so much “And I missed you, my princess,” Catherine replied emotional. Lily looked around amazed.

 “Is this heaven?” “It’s just one part of it,” Catherine answered, smiling. “Then I want to see everything with you.” But at that moment, Catherine’s expression changed. She touched her daughter’s shoulder gently and said, “It’s not your time yet.” Lily frowned, confused. “What do you mean? I died.” “No, my daughter. Your heart is still beating, even if weak. And your mission, it’s not over yet. It’s just beginning.

” She placed her hand on Lily’s chest, touching it softly. “You have to wake up. You have to go back.” Tears began to fall from the young girl’s eyes. No, Mom. Please. I don’t want to suffer anymore. I can’t take the pain. I can’t take being in that wheelchair. I want to stay here with you.

 Catherine held her daughter’s face, looked deep into her eyes, and said gently, “Your time will come, but not now. Now you have to get up, my princess.” In that moment, Catherine hugged Lily again, a tight, tender, silent embrace. And then, with a soft and deep voice, she whispered into her daughter’s ear.

 “I just wanted to give you something, something I went to get two years ago.” Lily frowned, confused. “Get. Get what, Mom?” But before she could finish the question, something strange began to happen. Her mother’s body began to dissolve before her eyes. First, the edges turned hazy. Then, she slowly started to disappear like golden dust carried by the wind. “Mom,” Lily asked, frightened.

 Catherine smiled, serene, and looked into her daughter’s eyes with infinite tenderness. Claire. She said she loved me. Tell her I love her, too. I love you. I love all of you. And then, surrounded by radiant light, Catherine vanished completely. She became a shimmering, glowing aura and disappeared into the rays of that magical place. Lily felt the tears streaming down her face. She looked around.

 That place once so enchanting now seemed to fade. The soft colors grew pale, the light more distant. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she was in a cold place. The air was still. The smell was different. She felt something hard beneath her back. Her hand touched something rough, rigid. Slowly, she began regaining consciousness and understood she was lying inside a coffin.

 The shock was so intense that her body tensed up, her chest heaved, her eyes widened. For a moment, Lily thought she was still trapped in a nightmare. But no, it was real. And that’s when we return to the beginning of this story, to the exact moment when Victor, consumed by despair, demanded that his daughter’s coffin be opened. He didn’t care about the stunned looks or the whispered comments.

 Everyone said it was madness, that grief had driven him insane, but he felt something. He had heard his daughter’s voice, and he couldn’t ignore it. When the lid was finally removed, the impossible happened. Inside the casket, in front of everyone, was Lily. But something was different. Very different. Her eyes were open, wide open.

 The look of someone who had just woken up from an endless nightmare. She looked around, confused, dazed, as if trying to understand what she was doing there. “Dad,” she whispered, a voice. What’s going on? Where am I? Victor fell to his knees in tears. He reached out and hugged his daughter tightly as if trying to stop her from vanishing again. You came back, sweetheart.

 You came back to me, he said, overwhelmed with emotion. Valerie, who was standing nearby, simply froze. Her eyes didn’t blink. The doctor who had followed Lily’s case for years couldn’t process what she was seeing. Just like her, everyone present was in shock. No one could say a word.

 How could someone with Lily’s advanced illness simply wake up? And even more. How could she sit up, stand? Clare didn’t think twice. She ran and threw herself into her sister’s arms. The two hugged tightly, crying. You came back, sis. You came back? Clare sobbed again and again. Then Raymond, the funeral director, widened his eyes as he noticed something. Something completely unbelievable.

The remains, he murmured. The remains are gone. Everyone turned to look inside the casket, Catherine’s skeleton. The mortal remains of Victor’s late wife. They were simply gone. Nothing. No bones, no fragments, nothing. They searched the compartment, checked the sides, the bottom, the fabric, looked on the floor, around the room. Nothing.

 It was as if it had never been there. Later that afternoon, Valerie arranged for Lily to be taken to the hospital, but she walked there, walked on her own two feet. The eyes of staff and patients widened as they saw her walking through the corridors. Many knew her story. They knew she was supposed to be dead. All the tests were done. CT scans, Mr.

 IS blood work. And then the result. There was nothing. No trace, no cancer cells, no shadow of disease. Lily’s body was completely healthy. The doctors tried to find a scientific explanation. But there was none. It was impossible. Inexplicable.

 Valerie held the chart, reading the reports over and over again, unable to believe it. That’s when Clare, standing beside her sister’s bed, looked her in the eyes and said with a soft smile, “It was mom. She took you for a moment just to heal you.” Valerie looked at the girl, unsure of what to say. But Lily, Lily just furrowed her brow. She didn’t remember. I only remember fainting at the cemetery and then waking up in the casket.

 That’s it. Victor hearing that felt a chill. The request, the promise. His daughter didn’t remember anything she had asked before she passed. Catherine’s skeleton was never found. They searched for days. Nothing. No clue. No explanation. The case became a mystery. But for that family, the truth was something else.

 They knew something greater had happened. Something no science could ever explain. Because one thing was certain. That final mother’s embrace had healed her daughter. And Lily now could finally live. Slowly, the pain faded away. Joy returned to that house. Laughter once again filled the air. Days began to feel colorful again.

 And sometimes, just sometimes, when Clare, Victor, and Lily were together, laughing over something silly, they felt something. A gentle breeze, a peaceful shiver, a presence, as if someone else was there, someone smiling, even if unseen. Not far away, surrounded by light, a woman in white watched over the family she loved so deeply, smiling, Catherine comment, “Mothers are forever.

” So, I know you made it to the end of this story, and I’ll mark your comment with a lovely heart. And just like Lily’s story, I have another powerful emotional story to share with you. Just click the video that’s appearing on your screen right now and come with me on another unforgettable journey.