Chapter 4

The ambulance pulled up outside my building, and I climbed out of the Uber and went up with the paramedics.

Out of the elevator, I took a deep breath and keyed in the door code.

Tony already had his shoes on. The second the door opened, he was set to bolt.

Then he saw the medic beside me and froze, grabbing my arm.

"Why did you bring a doctor back with you?"

I tilted my head at him.

"Didn't you say you weren't feeling well? I got an ambulance for you while I was at it."

The medic looked Tony over, puzzled.

"Where does it hurt?"

Tony stepped forward quickly. "My chest felt a little tight earlier, but I'm fine now."

"My sister made a big deal out of nothing. You can go!"

"Sis, you look after Mom. I'm heading out to buy some groceries!"

As he talked, he was already pushing the medic toward the door.

They can't leave. He can't be left alone in that room.

I stepped in front of him. "How come I don't hear Mom? Is she not feeling well either?"

"Since the doctor's here, have him take a look at Mom while he's at it."

Tony's face went panicky. "Mom's asleep. Don't wake her up!"

I nodded and stepped out the door ahead of him. "If none of you are sick, then I'll go."

"Don't go out. Whatever groceries you need, I'll have a delivery guy bring them."

Tony's hand shot out and yanked me back.

"You can't leave!"

I looked at him, all confusion. "Why? Didn't you say you were fine now?"

His eyes darted, and he put on a pained look.

"Doctor, just take me straight to the hospital, I suddenly feel bad again... Sis, you stay home and look after Mom..."

The medic frowned. "Lie down first, let us check you so we can give first aid."

Tony got frantic. "Check what? Just haul me to the hospital!"

"How can we do that? What if something happens on the way?"

I leaned to peer toward the bedroom.

"Tony, Mom's always been a light sleeper. How is she not up with all this noise?"

"Doctor, please, go check on my mother. She's paralyzed and bedridden, her heart's bad too. I'm worried something's wrong."

The other medic stood and started for the bedroom.

Tony lunged across the room and blocked him.

"My mom's just fine. Don't disturb her!"

The medic looked him over. "You just said you felt terrible. How are you fine again?"

"I..."

I kept up the puzzled act. "Tony, you seem really nervous. You don't want the doctor to see Mom?"

"That's nonsense, I don't!"

"Then why are you blocking the door? Did something happen to Mom?"

The medic was getting anxious too. "Why are you in the way? Sick or not, let us in for one look!"

"With an elderly patient, a heart attack happens in an instant. Any delay and it's serious trouble!"

Tony planted himself in the bedroom doorway.

"Get out of here, my mom's fine. Are you trying to force your way into treating her? Watch it, I'll report you!"

But everyone could see the guilt on him.

The medic wasted no more words and reached out to shove Tony aside.

In the instant they grappled, a horrible scream came from the bedroom.

Tony froze.

The medic seized the chance, pushed him aside, and rushed in.