As Marlin regained her senses, she wrapped her arms around Dan, holding him in a tight, desperate embrace. "I love you too," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. Dan's heart skipped a beat, his entire being suffused with joy. He smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. "Isn't it amazing?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Marlin's grip on his hand tightened, her eyes clouding over with a mixture of sadness and fear. "But Dan, forget about me," she said, her voice cracking. "I don't deserve you. Even if you take me, I can never live with you forever." Dan's smile faltered, his brow furrowing in concern. "What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
Marlin's eyes filled with tears as she revealed the devastating truth. "I'm suffering from a disease, Dan. I don't know when I'll...when I'll fall to death. I could die today, tomorrow...anytime." Dan's face crumpled, his body shaking with sobs. He refused to accept the reality, his mind reeling in denial. He felt shattered, broken into a million pieces.
Marlin's hands cupped Dan's face, her thumbs wiping away his tears. "Don't cry, please," she whispered. "Your tears make me cry too." Dan's arms wrapped around her, holding her close as he struggled to come to terms with the impending loss.
As they stood there, Dan made a vow to himself. "I don't know how much time you have left, but I want to make you feel like you're in paradise," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. Dan took Marlin to the mart, leading her to a cozy guest room behind the kitchen. "Rest here," he said, his eyes filled with tears. "Tomorrow, I'll make sure you enjoy this world."
The next day, Dan arrived at Marlin's room, bearing a delicious breakfast and a bright smile. He helped her dress, and together they set out to explore the cultural wonders of London. They laughed, played, and took selfies at every landmark, Marlin's eyes shining with joy. For a brief, shining moment, she forgot about her poverty, her illness, and her mortality.
As the days passed, Dan continued to shower Marlin with love, attention, and adventure. They spent their days exploring, laughing, and making memories. Marlin's heart swelled with gratitude, her love for Dan growing with each passing moment.
On the sixth night, as Dan escorted Marlin to her room, she reached out and grasped his arm. "I have a request," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please sleep with me." Dan's cheeks flushed, but he nodded, his voice low and gentle. "As you wish."
As they lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, Marlin broke the silence. "If I say I'm afraid to die?" she asked, her voice trembling. Dan's eyes welled up with tears, but he remained silent, his heart heavy with grief.
Marlin's voice dropped to a whisper. "You can go now. Sleep on your bed. I know you won't be able to sleep with me because it's your first time sleeping with someone." Dan nodded, his voice barely audible. "I'll see you tomorrow."
The next morning, Dan entered Marlin's room, bearing a bright smile and a gentle touch. But as he approached her bed, he noticed something was wrong. Marlin lay still, her body unmoving. Dan's heart skipped a beat as he shook her gently, calling out her name. But there was no response.
Panic set in as Dan's breathing quickened. He shouted, his voice echoing through the room. "You can't leave me like this! Wake up! Wake up!" Adam burst into the room, concern etched on his face. "Dan, what's wrong?"
Dan's voice cracked as he replied, "She's not waking up." Adam's face fell, his eyes filling with tears. He checked Marlin's pulse, his face grim. "She's gone," he whispered.
The words hung in the air, a stark reality that Dan couldn't bear to accept. Time seemed to pause, the world around him freezing in place. Dan's face went expressionless, his body numb. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.
As he gazed at Marlin's lifeless body, Dan's eyes fell upon a letter lying beside her. His heart heavy with grief, he reached out and picked it up, his eyes scanning the pages as tears streamed down his face.