he kept glancing toward the distance, silen

lled her with fear. The suppressed memories from her past resurfaced, dragging her i

targeting Mr. Curitis? Could the

Merle tried to comfort Phoebe, though he, too, was still shaken by what had happened. They

of an approaching ca

as she looked outsi

anxious to see if he was okay. Seeing him unh

Curitis re

oice trembled with concern

ender, sweeping away the tension from earlier. He felt a warm stir i

leave now?"

t?" Merle asked, relieved

shrugged it off with a casual smile, avoiding the details. Sens

tis and his team r

to its usual calm routine-uneventful and simple. She sl

*

Phoebe received a call

happened," Hermosa's voice was choked

tell me," Phoebe asked, her heart sin

's in the hospital right now, and we don't

ting inside her chest. Her mother's sobs

ould this happen?" Phoebe mut

orry, I'll be

utterly broken-exhausted, aged, and consumed by worr

o do?" Hermosa's tearful voi

cries, Phoebe's heart

om, don't worry. No matter what happens, we'll get through t

Phoebe asked, h

n't know if he'll make it," Hermosa

oors of the emergency room. Her heart ached, but she

he said softly, her voice filled

...," Hermosa broke down again, crying u

ed up $500,000 in debt to a loan shark, and if they didn't r

g drugs again... and $500,000 in debt.... Her heart clenche

y room door finally turned off. Phoebe and He

tor in a white coat walked

patient's fam

ter," Phoebe r

tion is stable for n

ng. Beside her, Hermosa also seemed to ease up a little. But before they co

er pressure from a blood clot. Without a second

urgery cost?" Phoebe a

" the doct

embled as she turned to her mothe

e cried out, tears spilling

e wall, tears streaming down her face. Her shadow cast o