“Hello?”
There was a brief pause on the other end. Professional. Controlled. Too calm.
“Good morning. May I speak with Miss Lena Pearson?”
Her heart skipped.
“Yes,” she replied slowly. “This is her.”
Another pause. Just long enough to make her breath hitch.
“My name is Dr. Collins. I’m calling from the Mater Emergency Hospital.”
The room seemed to tilt.
“I’m very sorry to inform you,” the voice continued, measured and clinical, “that your sister, Lana, was admitted earlier this morning in critical condition. I am calling because you were listed as the emergency contact for her.”
The words didn’t make sense at first.
They floated around her, disconnected, meaningless.
“My… my sister?” Lena whispered. “Lana?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Shock slammed into her chest so violently it stole her b
