Chapter 209
The call came just as I was about to sit down with my parents again. My phone buzzed. The Dafa's number flashing on the screen.
My mother's hand stilled on the tablet, her eyes immediately sharp with concern. My father set down his coffee cup, watching me with that quiet intensity that meant he was already assessing the situation. Then I excused myself quickly, stepping into the hallway.
"What's wrong?" I repeated into the phone, my heart beginning to race.
Dafa's voice was tense, urgent. "You need to come to the hospital. It's about your patient, Maria. She's taken a turn."
My blood ran cold. Maria. The little girl with the rare condition, the one I'd fought so hard to stabilize. The one whose weak smile had given me hope in the darkest moments.
"I'm on my way."
I grabbed my bag, shouted a quick explanation to my parents, and was out the door before they could respond. No time to wait for Dafa. No time to think about anything except getting to Maria.
