Hey guys! I really want to thank everyone for the constant support of this book. I only have up to 36 chapters planned, meaning that there are only 7 left ;n;

I expect to finish this book by the end of August. I have some other ones I'm thinking of publishing, one of which I already have five chapters written for!! I will tell you that this isn't the end of Adrigami... {Also, another early update cause of another cliffhanger TwT'')

And we're getting to the Elite soon!!

Enjoy 0w0

"...What..." Marinette could only muster out the single word.

Adrien sighed. "I'm very sorry," he replied sadly.

"How," Marinette choked, "how did it happen?"

"She was diagnosed with cancer not too long ago, and when your parents failed to pay the price of a surgery that could help prevent it..." Adrien trailed off.

Marinette looked down. "W-Why didn't they tell me? I could have h-helped!" Marinette exclaimed, crying into his chest. Adrien turned a bit red but focused on resting a soft hand on her back. 

"I'm so sorry, but that wasn't your fault," Adrien added.

"The surgery that your mother needed was expensive," he continued, "even with the money, this specific treatment is risky. I wish they had told me...I could have helped them with the payment." he sighed.

Marinette wiped her eyes. "How long do I have?"

"She has about a day left," Adrien whispered sheepishly. Another tear trickled down Marinette's face. "I-I need to get there."

Adrien rubbed the back of his neck. "I was afraid of you asking that," he mumbled, "I wasn't sure if I could get a driver ready for you in time." 

Just then, a car horn blew from the distance. Both of them whipped their heads around, completely dumbstruck.

"Let's not forget your pal Nino knows how to drive," he smirked, the car ready for their departure. 

Marinette smiled. "T-Thank you, Nino," she ran up hugged him through the window. 

"Marinette," Adrien grabbed her arm before she got in.

"Did you forget anything?" Adrien asked as she shook her head. 

"I have many clothes at home," Marinette smiled. "I...uhm..." he stammered, both of them turning slightly red. 

"I-I'll see you, Adrien. Thank you." Marinette smiled, closing the door.

Adrien stood there, waving at them until they were out of sight. Adrien let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "That girl is something else."

***

Marinette slept in the car, slightly swaying due to the roughness of the dirt road. She had offered to switch halfway through, and she had just finished driving her half of the way. Nino had already slept, meaning that out of the seven-hour drive, they only had one left.

The train that Marinette had taken the first time had only taken two hours, but since of the harsh mudslide, the trains were being postponed, and by the time they boarded, it would have been too late.

The soft swaying of the dirt road made Marinette sigh - even in her sleep. One harsh bump came, jolting Marinette awake. 

"Ahh," Marinette breathed, rubbing her eyes. 

"Sorry," Nino apologized, as Marinette shook her head.

"It's fine," she replied quickly. 

Marinette started to recognize the bridge they were crossing. They were going over a large lake; a popular area for families in the village. The waves crashed into the shore, Marinette hearing the muted sound of children giggling while splashing the water on each other.

Marinette smiled at her home village; she had realized everything that she missed.

She saw the houses all stacked up into neat little rows, as the occasional restaurant and store came into vision. Mor children in the dainty clothes played around in the road.

Since it was a smaller village, everyone knew each other, making it much easier to find friends and get someone to play with.

Marinette had many of them growing up, but they had all taken different paths, which made her find her way to Luka. She sighed at the thought of him, especially since they had passed his house.

"So, this is the village, huh?" Nino asked, interrupting her thoughts, "it's pretty cute."

 "It is. It's a very classic tiny village," Marinette smiled.

"True," he replied, parking in front of the town hospital. 

"I'm going to go see if Alya is around the photography center," Nino remarked, "unless you want me to come with?" 

"That's fine. If she is there, tell her to stay until I come," Marinette replied. Nino nodded as Marinette walked into the hospital.

Not many people were in the waiting room, but Marinette went up to the front desk immediately. "Hello, I was wondering if Mrs. Sabine Dupain-Cheng is here?" Marinette said as the secretary's eyes went wide. 

"Y-You're part of the selection!" she said as Marinette fiddled with her thumbs. "Yes, I still am. I was wanting to see my mother though, since she is going to pass soon," Marinette sighed.

"Yes! She is currently occupying room B21. On the second floor," she replied, still wearing a shocked expression. Marinette thanked her quietly.

She had made sure to switch out her heels for running shoes. Though, she still had no time to change out of her dress. Though, it was only a day dress; nothing too fancy.

Marinette had opened the door to see both her parents.

"Papa!" Marinette practically screamed, running to him for a hug. "My darling," he spoke, a tint of sadness in his voice. 

"How is maman..." Marinette trailed off, seeing her eyes closed. Marinette's first reaction was that her mother had passed already.

"She's sleeping," her father spoke cautiously, "I do not want to wake her though."

"T-Thank god," Marinette stammered. Her father looked at his wife then back at Marinette. "I have to go fill in some paperwork," he sighed.

He kissed Sabine's forehead then Marinette's. "I'll be right back," he left the room in a hurry.

Marinette pulled a chair, playing with a strand of her hair that had come out of her ponytail. She re-did her hair, not surprised it had come out due to the heavy winds of the town.

She admired her mother, looking at the flawless features that she had inherited from her. She got her face shape, and small nose, and lips. She had gotten Papa's eyes, and his personality, but she saw bits and pieces of her mother's in her as well.

She had been most thankful to get Papa's soft hair as well as the beautiful midnight blue from her mother, which had amazed many people. She reached for her mother's hand, carefully listening to the sound of her heartbeat and her steady breathing.

Marinette grabbed her hand, holding it as she shadowed over her maman. She then felt a light squeeze from her mother which made her gasp.

"...Maman?"

Another Cliffhanger!!

I'm so evil >:3

Stay tuned! Also, comment on whether you think Alya will show up or not :D!

Bye! (Edit: Have a great day/night everyone :3)