Page 105 of Choke

Please, god, I need more time.

Epilogue

Lane

The buzzing sound of my phone jars me out of sleep. I grab it and see a blocked number. I decline the call and roll over, pressing my face into the pillow. It’s 5:45 a.m.

These scam callers really need to check the time zone they’re calling.

I’m drifting back to sleep when it buzzes again. I let out an audible groan that has Dave shifting in his sleep next to me. I grab my phone and see the blocked number again. I decline it again and check the notifications; this is the fourth time it’s called in the last ten minutes.

I sit up against the headboard; my brows push together.

That’s really weird.

“What is it, babe?”

Dave mumbles sleepily as I rub his back.

“Nothing. Scam caller.”

He grunts, and within a minute, he’s breathing deeply again.

I, however, am now wide awake. A cold weight settles in my gut. This isn’t just a scam call.

Something isn’t right.

I stand, unplug my phone, and head downstairs to make a coffee. I’m awake now. I’m leaning against the counter, rubbing my eyes, when my phone lights up again.

Blocked Number

I sigh and swipe to answer.

“Hello?”

There is a short pause before a woman speaks.

“Is this Lane Montedoro?”

The formality of it makes my heart drop.

Something is wrong.

I clear my throat.

“This is she…”

“I’m calling from Torhaven Mercy Hospital,” The woman says calmly and clearly. “This evening, we had Alexandria Donnelly brought in, and you’re listed as her emergency contact.”

The world shifts, and I reach behind to stabilize myself on the countertop. At the same time, the coffee machine kicks on, and a loud whirring sound fills the room.

“Yes…”

My voice is barely above a whisper.

“Do you know, Ms. Donnelly?”

“Yes,”

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