My phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
The hospital.
My heart seized. Before I could even answer, Jemima's mocking voice came through the video.
"What a shame."
"Looks like your mom lost the will to live after she learned the truth."
The camera showed my mother's face. Tears at the corners of her eyes.
I frantically hit accept, and the doctor's voice came through.
"Mrs. Sanchez."
"Your mother—"
Silence stretched on the other end.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The world went mute. All I could hear was my own heartbeat, and my own voice, cracking.
"My mom..."
"What happened to my—"
"Your mother passed away at 6:35 p.m. today."
"Please..."
"Accept our condolences."
This wasn't the first time Otis had drunk himself unconscious. Everyone knew the Sanchez heir wore a mask of warmth—but underneath, he was colder than anyone.
One single weakness had grown from his heart.
Her name was Debbie.
Debbie.
"Debbie..."
Otis's eyes snapped open. He raked a hand through his disheveled hair and snatched up the phone that wouldn't stop ringing. The caller ID barely registered before his foul temper exploded through the line.
"This better be important!"
"Sir..."
The voice on the other end stumbled, unable to form a coherent sentence.
Otis felt his eyelid twitch. His heart seized.
He didn't even have time to brace himself.
Through the phone, Geoffrey Sanchez finally managed to speak, his voice trembling.
"Mrs. Sanchez, she..."
"Mrs. Sanchez's mother passed away last night."
