“Your daughter was bitten by a venomous snake in the wildlife park. She’s in the ER now—you need to come quickly.”
“What?”
Richard shot up, hesitation and a flicker of concern in his eyes.
“I’m on my way.”
But just as he picked up his coat, a piercing scream came from the master bedroom, followed by Emily’s loud sobs.
“Richard, something’s wrong—Emily’s having an episode!”
Olivia cried in a panic.
“She needs to be taken to the hospital right now!”
Richard froze at the doorway, then turned back and rushed to scoop Emily into his arms.
“What’s happening to her?”
With tears streaming, Olivia clung to his arm.
“Richard, I didn’t want to worry you, so I never told you—Emily was diagnosed abroad with a rare condition. Every time it flares up, she needs a blood transfusion, or her life will be in danger…”
Richard’s face drained of color. He bolted for the door.
“Quick—take Emily to the hospital!”
When I opened my eyes again, I was being wheeled out of the ER.
A nurse sighed in relief. “Sweetheart, you’re lucky. A little later and you wouldn’t have made it.”
At the park, I had collapsed after the snake bite.
Thankfully, staff had found me and called the ambulance just in time.