Selina stumbled after Annabelle, who was running toward the emergency ward down the narrow corridor. In moments, Annabelle found the right room and burst inside.
Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of her mother lying pale and still, hooked to an IV drip while the medical team administered oral medication.
She rushed to her mother's side as the doctor and nurses instinctively moved aside to give her space.
"Mother…" she called, her voice cracking, but there was no response.
Her mother was unconscious, the eerie echo of the doctor's earlier words still tolling in her mind like a nightmare lullaby.
Annabelle turned to see Ethan, slumped in a chair beside the bed in his high school uniform, his face blotchy from crying.
"How did this happen to our mother?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Ethan sniffled and wiped at his wet eyes with the back of his hand. "She collapsed at the market while she was selling. Someone rushed her here."
