A Missing Key 218 Missed Calls One Family Secret novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

I lost it completely.

I abandoned my luggage, shoved through the crowd, and sprinted toward the information desk.

I didn’t even look back at Garrett, still on his knees.

Only one thought pounded in my head: Apologize to Mom and Dad!

“Excuse me!”

“Coming through!”

Travelers jumped out of my way as I tore down the path they cleared.

Tears streamed down my face, unstoppable.

Evie, you selfish piece of shit. You stupid, selfish fool!

How could you do this to them?

Then I saw them-Mom, Dad, standing by the information desk—and my heart lurched. I opened my mouth to call out.

“M6-”

But before the word fully left my lips, she collapsed backward, ten feet away from me.

“MOM!!”

Dad lunged and caught her before she hit the ground, but he wasn’t strong enough. They both crumpled to the floor together.

My heart stopped.

I ran to them and pulled Mom into my arms.

Her face was ghost-white. Her eyes were closed.

In her hand, she clutched a photo-my college graduation picture.

Dad didn’t even register that I was there. He knelt beside her, shaking her, his voice breaking. “Diane! Diane! Wake up! Look at

me!”

Miles was on the phone with 911, his voice choking through sobs.

When he saw me, he looked at me like I was both his savior and his enemy.

10:20

A Missing Key, 218 Missed Calls, One Family Secret

“The patient was already in late-stage cancer. Her body was extremely weak. The emotional distress, combined with days without food or water, caused her condition to deteriorate rapidly. Multiple organ failure. You should… prepare yourselves.”

I collapsed outside the ICU doors, pressing my forehead to the cold floor, begging.

“Please. Please save her. I’ll give you everything I have. Just save her. Please…”

Hours later, the doors opened.

Mom was awake.

She was on oxygen, barely able to keep her eyes open. But when she saw us, the first thing she said was:

“Evie.. you came… back…”

I broke down completely.

Dad walked over. His eyes were red and swollen. He didn’t yell. Didn’t hit me.

He just pulled out a worn notebook from his jacket and handed it to me.

10:20

A Missing Key, 218 Missed Calls, One Family Secret

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