**Chapter 1: The Day They Died**

I remember the day they died like it was yesterday. It started like any other day, with the warm sunlight streaming through the windows and the sound of birds chirping outside. They and I had plans to go for a walk in the park, but first, we had a leisurely breakfast together. They were in high spirits, teasing me about my cooking and making me laugh. I loved the way they smiled at me, their eyes crinkling at the corners. As we finished our breakfast, they suddenly clutched their chest and grimaced in pain. "Something's ain't right, sweetie," they said, their voice laced with concern. I immediately felt a sense of unease and reached for my phone to call an ambulance. They took my hand in theirs, their grip surprisingly strong considering the look of distress on their face. "What's wrong?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don't know," they replied, "but I feel...weak. So weak." I helped them sit down on the couch, and they leaned against me, their head on my shoulder. I stroked their hair, trying to comfort them. "I'm calling for help," I said, dialing the emergency number. They squeezed my hand gently. "I love you, Noa," they whispered, their voice barely audible. "I love you too," I replied, tears welling up in my eyes. "Help is on the way, darling." But as the seconds ticked by, their grip on my hand weakened, and their pulse slowed. Their face grew pale, and their eyes, which had been locked on mine, began to lose their sparkle. "Noa..." they whispered, their voice fading. Their hand slipped out of mine, and their head lolled to one side. I screamed, shaking them, trying to rouse them, but it was too late. They were gone. The paramedics arrived soon after, and they tried to revive them, but it was futile. I remember screaming and crying, feeling like my world was shattering around me. The next thing I knew, I was waking up in the hospital, with a doctor telling me that I had been in shock. I didn't care about anything else; I just wanted them back. But as I lay there, I realized that they were truly gone, and I was left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart. The doctor and nurses tried to comfort me, but I was beyond consolation. All I could think about was the pain and the loss I felt. They were my everything, and now they were gone. As the day went on, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. I kept thinking about them, about the way they smiled, the way they laughed, the way they loved me. And then, as the sun began to set, I knew that I had to go home. I had to face the reality of their death and start planning the funeral. Little did I know that their death was only the beginning of a journey that would change my life forever.