YoYo looked like she was merely asleep as they rushed her to the hospital. Chance held her hand the entire way, whispering reassurances even as fear gnawed at his heart. He thought the worst was behind them, but when the doctor emerged from the emergency room with a grave expression, Chance's heart sank.
"I'm afraid it's mercury poisoning," the doctor said, his voice heavy with regret. "The waste water tank she was in must have been contaminated with mercury. It's too late—the mercury has filled her lungs. There's nothing more we can do. You should say your goodbyes while she's still conscious."
Chance's world shattered. His legs felt like lead as he made his way to the intensive care unit, his mind refusing to accept the reality of the situation. He could hardly breathe as he approached YoYo's bedside. Her face was pale, her breathing labored, yet she still managed a weak smile when she saw him.
"YoYo," Chance whispered, his voice breaking. He took her hand in his, feeling the chill of her skin.
"Chance," she murmured, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and peace. "These have been the happiest days of my life, being with you."
Tears streamed down Chance's face. He wanted to be strong for her, but the weight of his emotions was too much to bear. "YoYo, please don't leave me. We have so much more to do, so many dreams to fulfill."
She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, her strength waning. "You've given me more than I ever hoped for. I'll always cherish our time together. Promise me you'll live your life to the fullest, for both of us."
Chance nodded, unable to speak, his heart breaking with each passing second. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, feeling her shallow breaths against his skin. "I love you, YoYo. Always and forever."
She smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek. "I love you too, Chance. Forever."
The heart monitor beside her bed emitted a steady beep, a cruel reminder of the precious time slipping away. As the final moments drew near, YoYo's eyes fluttered closed. Chance watched in agony as the monitor's beeps slowed, then ceased altogether. The line on the screen turned into a flat, unwavering line.
Chance clutched her hand, his sobs breaking the silence of the room. He kissed her forehead one last time, whispering a final goodbye. "Rest now, my love. I will carry your memory with me always."
The room seemed to close in around him as he sat there, holding YoYo's lifeless hand. The woman who had brought so much light into his life was gone, leaving behind an unbearable void. Yet, even in his deepest grief, Chance knew he had to honor her last wish. He would live on, driven by the love they shared and the dreams they built together.
As he walked out of the hospital, the weight of his loss pressing down on him, Chance looked up at the sky, silently vowing to make YoYo proud. She may have been taken from him, but her spirit would guide him forever.