"Grandpa, please..." Bella's voice shook. She squeezed his hand gently, desperately. "Say something. Grandpa, look at me."
Silence.
Bella stared at his face, waiting for him to blink, to breathe, to move but he didn't. He just sat there, so still, so quiet, as though life had simply slipped away from him without any struggle.
Her body suddenly felt weak and uncontrollable.
She didn't hear herself speak, but she felt her lips moving.
"Grandpa... wake up..."
Her voice broke completely.
"Please."
Leo stepped closer and placed a steady hand on her shoulder.
"Bella..."
She shook her head.
"No..."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"No, no, no..."
She lowered her forehead against his cold hand, still kneeling beside him.
"Please wake up, Grandpa."
Her tears fell onto his pale skin.
"Please... I'm not ready yet..."
She lifted her head, her eyes red and swollen, searching his face desperately.
Leo knelt beside her and gently pulled her into his arms.
