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Seeing me,she hugged me tightly,then glanced over my shoulder.
When no one followed,she cried,“Claire,where’s Ethan?Didn’t you tell him Dad’s in a coma?”
I’m an orphan,raised in a foster home.
At ten,George began sponsoring me,bringing food and books,opening up a whole new,colorful world for me.
At fifteen,in order to get me into a better school,he took me into his home.
Emily and I had always been close since then.
Even after I married Ethan,she keep me in good touch, called me“sister”,just like when we were little.
Her words made me feel helpless for failing to bring Ethan to the hospital.
I stared at the floor,hiding my emotions,unable to answer.
Emily saw through me,crouching to wipe my tears.“Did he hurt you again?Dad’s in the hospital,and he’s with another woman?He’s a monster!”
Uncontrollably,I blurted,“He’s with Sophie,looking for their son.”
Emily froze,eyes blazing.
She dialed Ethan,but it was already off.
She called Sophie in the next moment.“Sophie,put Ethan on the phone.It’s urgent!”
Ethan’s voice came through,dismissive.“Emily,is Claire feeding you lies?Don’t believe her—she’s always acting!”
“Ethan,have you lost your mind?Dad’s in the hospital,bleeding out,needing blood transfusion.Get here now!”
Sophie’s exaggerated scream interrupted,“Ethan,someone saw my son went out alone, Buddy on Main Street!”
The call ended abruptly.
A doctor rushed over with Emily’s blood test results.“Miss Carter,your blood doesn’t match your father’s. It took 24 hours to transfer AB-negative blood to our hospital, You said your brother’s AB-negative.Is he here?”
We opened our mouths,but no words came out.
Who’d ever believe a son wouldn’t save his own father?
George would be devastated.
I patted Emily’s back.“Don’t worry,Emily.I’ll find Ethan.I’ll drag him here,even if he kills me.”
I bolted from the hospital.
