Arnold seemed to realize he'd done something catastrophically stupid. He scrambled to backpedal.
"I... I really wasn't thinking. I was just playing along with Doreen. You know how she is—she loves her pranks."
"Enough!"
I screamed.
Sirens wailed outside.
Arnold's face went white.
"Babe, I swear I didn't think it would go this far. Don't worry—I'll drive Mom to the hospital right now."
I sucked in a breath so sharp it burned.
"Arnold Sanchez, you better pray nothing happens to her today."
I turned to Doreen, my voice dropping to something lethal. "And you—don't think just because Arnold spoils you, you can do whatever the hell you want."
Doreen's expression curdled. As the officers led me away, I could still hear her muttering behind me.
"She and her mother faked it to scam the paramedics, and somehow I'm the villain? It was one drink. Lying on the floor playing dead like that—who actually dies from a sip of liquor?"
My nails bit into my palms. But all I could do was watch Arnold scoop my mother into his arms and rush toward the parking garage, repeating the same prayer over and over in my head.
Mom, please be okay. Please.