Chapter 23: Letting Go

"Letting Go" The words hung in the air like a challenge, a plea from Ashley's lips that left Susan reeling. She felt like she had been punched in the gut, her breath knocked out of her. She looked at Ender, her eyes searching for some kind of understanding, but he just shook his head, his eyes welling up with tears. "Ash, no, sweetie, you don't have to say that," Susan whispered, trying to keep her voice steady. "You're going to be okay, you're going to get better." But Ashley's gaze was fixed on her mother, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. "I love you, Mom," she whispered again, her voice barely audible. Susan felt a wave of grief wash over her, threatening to engulf her. She had known that this moment might come, but she had never prepared herself for the pain that accompanied it. She reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair out of Ashley's face, trying to keep her composure. "I'm so proud of you, Ash," she said, her voice cracking with emotion. "You've been so strong, so brave. You can keep fighting, I know you can." But Ashley's grip on her mother's hand tightened, her fingers weak but insistent. "Let...me...go," she croaked, her voice growing weaker. Ender leaned forward, his eyes locked on Ashley's face. "Ash, don't say that, kiddo," he whispered. "We're here for you, we're not going anywhere." Ashley's gaze flickered to Ender, and for a moment, Susan thought she saw a glimmer of recognition, a spark of the girl she used to be. But it was fleeting, and Ashley's eyes drifted back to her mother. Susan felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at her daughter, her heart heavy with grief. She knew that Ashley was slipping away from her, and she was powerless to stop it. "I love you too, Ash," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "More than anything in the world." As she spoke, Ashley's grip on her hand relaxed, and her eyes drifted closed. The machines surrounding her bed began to beep more slowly, their steady rhythm a reminder that time was running out. Susan looked at Ender, her eyes filled with tears. "I think it's time to say goodbye," she whispered. Ender nodded, his face wet with tears. Together, they leaned forward, their lips brushing against Ashley's forehead, their hearts heavy with grief. As they pulled back, Susan felt a sense of peace wash over her, a sense of acceptance that she had not felt in weeks. She knew that Ashley was at peace, that she was finally free from the pain and suffering that had ravaged her body. And in that moment, Susan knew that she would let her daughter go, that she would give her the gift of peace, no matter how hard it was to say goodbye.