Gemma kept her head down as she stared at her feet. She whispered so softly it was almost inaudible, “Uncle Murphy, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. This is the last birthday I can spend with you.
The room felt freezing, and Gemma could not help but wonder which was colder, the cryo–casket or this empty room?
She had always hated the cold. As a child, she would run barefoot in winter while clutching her stuffed bunny just to find her
Uncle Murphy and sleep in his bed.
Back then, Murphy was kind to her. He would not speak harshly. Instead, he would smile, lift her onto the bed, tell her stories, and lull her to sleep…
At this moment, Evangeline posted a photo on social media of her and Murphy holding hands.
While wearing the ‘Mermaid’s Heart‘ ring that Gemma had designed, she proudly announced to everyone: [We’re engaged!]
At the same time, Gemma received an electronic consent form from the cryogenic experiment team. She did not sign it
immediately. Instead, she called Murphy.
The call was rejected, but she tried again. It was declined five times in a row before it finally connected.
“What do you want now, Gemma?” Murphy’s impatient voice came through the line.
Gemma pressed her lips together, her voice soft as she said, “I just wanted to congratulate you.”
Murphy let out a cold laugh. “I hope you truly mean that.”
She lowered her eyes. She was silent for a moment before asking, “When’s the wedding?”
“December 12th,” he replied, his tone colder than the harshest winter wind.
Those words pierced Gemma’s heart like a thousand arrows. After all, December 12th was her birthday.
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