Chapter 1
The monitor emitted a rapid alarm.
The emergency room gurney crashed through the double doors, the nurse running with it.
Theo's small body convulsed on the bed, shaking all over, yet he still gripped my sleeve tightly.
"Mommy... will Daddy come?"
I didn't answer.
The phone screen was on, my finger pressing the dial button on the call screen.
Once.
No answer.
Twice.
Still no answer.
Three times.
Cold busy tone.
I swiped open the screen and tapped into Celeste's just-posted social media live stream.
In the frame was a noisy luxury hotel. Under crystal chandeliers, guests surrounded a three-tiered blue-and-pink cake.
Celeste wore a white dress, leaning against Julian.
She held a prenatal report in her hand.
The host smiled and asked her: "What do you want to say to everyone today?"
Celeste smiled tenderly at the camera:
"Julian has always wanted a healthy child."
The crowd let out a cheer.
I dialed Julian again, while staring at the live stream.
The call connected.
From the receiver came party music and clinking glasses.
I didn't cry or argue.
I only said one thing:
"Theo is in emergency. He's been calling for you."
Julian frowned slightly on the other end.
In the background, Celeste tugged his sleeve gently, and her voice came clearly into my receiver:
"Don't answer."
My fingers holding the phone turned white:
"Julian, he might not make it through tonight."
Julian's voice carried impatience:
"The doctors will handle it. Naomi, don't make everything sound like the end of the world every time."
"Your son needs you."
"Theo always needs me."
Beep.
Call ended.
Outside the emergency room.
The attending physician walked over quickly:
"Brain imaging shows a ruptured vessel. We need surgery immediately. You are the legal guardian, please sign here."
I signed my name quickly.
From the moment I signed, until Theo was wheeled into the resuscitation room, the hospital called seven more times.
Each time, it rang twice and was cut off.
The monitor's waveform stretched into a straight line.
A piercing long alarm tore through everything.
The doctor lunged over:
"No pulse! Start CPR!"
Theo's little hand slid limply from my sleeve.