ManyWriters

My wife sent our five-year-old daughter into a supposedly haunted, abandoned house to recover her engagement ring from a past relationship.
Inside, our child was horrified by the blood-spattered walls. Frightened, she stumbled and tumbled down the staircase. A corroded metal spike impaled her tiny frame.
When I discovered her, she had already passed away. Her small fingers were still tightly gripping the ring, unwilling to release it even after death.
I broke down beside her motionless form, weeping uncontrollably as I embraced her.
Overwhelmed with anguish, I repeatedly dialed my wife's number.
When she finally picked up, her tone was irritated and detached.
"Quit calling me!" she barked. "David's daughter is about to go into heart transplant surgery. Don't ruin this!"
Her statement struck me like a thunderbolt. I gazed at my daughter's lifeless face, my heart shattering.
In that instant, a part of me perished.
I ended the call with my wife and dialed another number.
"Hello. This is Emily's father," I said, my voice quivering with fury and sorrow. "I'm phoning about the heart donation."
"I regret to inform you that we've decided to withdraw from the process."
If you took my child from me, you don't merit her heart.

The Ring That Shattered Two Hearts

A year had passed when, to my astonishment, I found David at my doorstep.


This David, however, was a far cry from the arrogant, confident man I once knew. His appearance was unkempt, his expression frantic, and he brandished a kitchen knife.


"Noah!" he bellowed, his voice filled with fury. "You're to blame for this! Sophie would be alive if you'd agreed to give her Emily's heart! I'm going to end you!"


He charged at me, and I barely managed to react. I stumbled backwards, instinctively trying to protect myself.


Suddenly, Monica appeared from nowhere, throwing herself between us.


The knife plunged into her side. Blood gushed out, staining her face and the floor.


Even David was momentarily stunned by his actions.


Monica acted swiftly. With a cry, she pulled the knife from her body and swung it forcefully, striking David.


She slashed at him repeatedly until he fell, lying in an expanding pool of his own blood.


Chapter 8