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367
The Last Message- Part 2
<p>“What happened?”</p><p>“He didn't want me to tell you.”</p><p>“Why?”</p><p>There was a pause.</p><p>“Because he thought he was protecting you.”</p><p>Maya froze.</p><p>“Protecting me from what?”</p><p>His mother didn't answer. Instead, she said quietly:</p><p>“He found out about his condition shortly before he sent you that message.”</p><p>Maya couldn't speak.</p><p>That evening, she went to the hospital.</p><p>Daniel looked thinner and exhausted, but when he saw her, his eyes filled with something she hadn't seen in months.</p><p>Relief.</p><p>“You're an idiot,” she whispered.</p><p>“I know.”</p><p>“You let me think you stopped loving me.”</p><p>“I know.”</p><p>“You let me hate you.”</p><p>“I know.”</p><p>“Why?”</p><p>Daniel looked down.</p><p>“Because I was scared.”</p><p>“Of what?”</p><p>“Of becoming someone you had to take care of.”</p><p>He told her he couldn't bear the thought of her watching him deteriorate, cancelling her plans and putting her life on hold for him.</p><p>Maya's eyes filled with tears.</p><p>“You don't get to decide what I'm willing to endure for someone I love.”</p><p>He looked at her. And suddenly she understood.</p><p>Sometimes people don't leave because they stop loving you. Sometimes they leave because they don't believe they're worth being loved through their worst moments.</p><p>Maya reached for his hand.</p><p>For the first time in three months, neither of them felt alone.</p><p>But there was still something Daniel hadn't told her.</p><p>And Maya was about to overhear it.</p><p><br/></p><p>For the next few days, Maya stayed close to Daniel.</p><p>She brought him food, argued with him about his medication and tried to pretend things were normal. But she knew something was wrong.</p><p>One evening, she returned to his room and stopped outside the door when she heard voices.</p><p>Daniel's mother was inside.</p><p>“She deserves to know.”</p><p>“I know.”</p><p>“Then tell her.”</p><p>“I can't.”</p><p>“You don't get to make this decision for her again.”</p><p>Maya froze.</p><p>Again?</p><p>Then she heard Daniel whisper:</p><p>“I have six months.”</p><p>Her heart stopped.</p>
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