Chapter 20 - A Mysterious Note Left On The Hospital Nightstand Table
Two days later, Mara was transferred out of the intensive care unit into a bright, quiet recovery room overlooking the gardens.
Evie sat on the edge of the hospital bed, excitedly showing her mother the new drawing they had made together.
Mara smiled, her strength slowly returning as she hugged her daughter tightly against her chest.
That evening, after visiting hours ended and the room grew dark, Ethan noticed a small white envelope resting on the nightstand.
He hadn't placed it there, and none of the attending nurses or doctors recognized it when he asked at the station.
Ethan picked it up, tearing open the unembossed flap to slide out a folded card written in unfamiliar handwriting.
His eyes scanned the short, ominous message scrawled across the paper in dark black ink:
May you like
“She survived the hospital, Mr. Carter, but the debt collectors don't care about family reconciliations.”
Ethan’s blood ran cold as he stared at the words, realizing their financial troubles ran deeper than medical bills.
