Left for Dead Came Back for Everything novel Chapter 149

Back at home, Eliza had spent the entire morning reviewing motion capture videos.

Right in the middle of her deep focus, her phone screen lit up.

Eliza glanced at the caller ID. There was just one word on the screen—

Mom.

She stared at the word for two seconds, hit pause on the video, and answered the call.

"Hello."

"Eliza..."

Miriam's voice sounded strange. It wasn't her usual wailing or throwing a tantrum, but a... very careful, hesitant tone.

It sounded like she was holding something back but couldn't spit it out.

"The hospital your dad is at," Miriam's voice was as quiet as a mosquito's. "I don't think the environment is very good. The nurses have terrible attitudes. Do you think we could transfer your dad to a different hospital?"

Eliza put her pen down.

"Transfer where?"

"Just... somewhere nicer..." Miriam stammered. "I heard private hospitals have better service, what do you think—"

Eliza took a deep breath. "Did you try to demand cash from his medical account and get rejected?"

The line went quiet for a moment.

"No! I didn't—what are you thinking! I just feel the nurses there have a bad attitude—"

"That hospital is the best public hospital in the city," Eliza sighed. "Their oncology department ranks number one, and Dad is in the oncology ward. I can't find anywhere better."

"But—"

"Mom, what are you trying to say?"

Another painfully awkward silence.

Then Miriam spoke in an obviously guilty tone:

"It's just that... the debt collectors showed up at the hospital."

Eliza's fingers tightened instantly.

"Did they find Miles?"

"Yeah... the security guards kicked them out, but... they found out which room your dad is in... It scared him... Now I'm too scared to leave the house..."

Miriam quickly added, "But they're gone now! Your dad's heart just feels a little uncomfortable—can you come take a look... please?"

Eliza closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Her hand instinctively moved to cover her own flat stomach.

There had once been a tiny life in there, too.

If the earthquake hadn't happened. If Zander hadn't chosen Yvonne that day.

Her baby would be three years old by now.

Would they be waving their little fists and smiling at her from a stroller just like that?

The elevator reached the ground floor.

The young couple pushed the stroller out.

Eliza stood there for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and pulled her hand away from her stomach.

Then she stepped out.

She crossed the outpatient lobby, heading toward the obstetrics and gynecology department—not on purpose, but because the nurses' station was just around the corner.

But right as she turned the corner toward the OB-GYN corridor—

She saw Zander.

He was standing by the plastic chairs in the waiting area, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone. He was staring at the screen, his brow deeply furrowed. He looked awful, the dark circles under his eyes still prominent.