Chapter 2 - The Call from the ICU
Pounding echoed against the heavy oak door of the groom's suite, vibrating straight into my chest.
Rebecca’s soft, sweet voice called out again, but now a sharp, nervous tension cut through her smooth tone.
"Daniel? Sweetheart, everyone is waiting at the altar! Is everything alright in there?"
I ignored her, staring at my smartphone screen as the incoming caller ID flashed: Mercy Hospital ICU.
With my thumb trembling uncontrollably, I swiped the green button and pressed the phone against my ear.
"Mr. Miller?" a hurried female voice asked over the background beeps of medical monitors. "This is Dr. Vance from Mercy Hospital."
"Your daughter Emily just regained consciousness, and she is extremely agitated. She keeps screaming your name."
"Doctor... what happened to her?" I choked out, my eyes locked onto the file with tomorrow’s date on my laptop.
"She sustained a severe concussion and blunt force trauma to her shoulder," Dr. Vance explained urgently.
"She told us she was assaulted at her home, but before we could call the police, she begged us to call you first."
"She said: 'Tell Dad not to sign the joint estate trust papers... Rebecca has the offshore forged signatures!'"
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird as Rebecca pounded harder against the locked door.
"Daniel! Open this door right now!" Rebecca demanded, her gentle facade slipping away into pure frustration.
I stared down at three-year-old Noah, who was hiding under the mahogany desk, clutching his small knees.
"I'm coming out, Rebecca," I called back, my voice remarkably steady despite the storm raging inside my soul.
May you like
I closed the laptop, slid the USB drive into my socks, and looked at my grandson.
"Stay right behind me, buddy," I whispered. "Grandpa is going to fix this."
