"Is this Sarah Cooper speaking?"
An emotionless voice came from the other side of the phone.
I felt a bit tense after hearing such a cold voice. Because I had no memory of ever meeting someone who sounded like this. Still, I replied,
"Yes, I am. But… who are you, sir? I don't think I know you."
"I'm Officer Marcus Rubio from the City Police Department. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were injured in a road accident and are currently in critical condition. Please come to the Green Life Hospital to check on your parents."
There wasn't even the slightest shift in his tone, even after delivering such devastating news. But my eyes couldn't hold back the weight of his words and the tears began falling instantly.
The call ended, but my tears didn't.
Holding back sobs, I hurriedly stepped out of the airport. I didn't go to the parking area because I wasn't in the right condition to drive. Instead, I directly got into a taxi and asked the driver to take me to the Green Life Hospital.
The driver didn't ask anything, only nodded after hearing the destination. I sat quietly in the back seat, crying silently.
As the hospital building started to appear in the distance, the nervousness inside me kept growing stronger.
The driver stopped the car at the entrance. I quickly stepped out, paid the fare and dashed to see my parents.
I thought I heard the driver call something after me, but his voice faded in a second. My ears weren't really working anymore. My mind was only repeating one thing: **Mom and Dad... Please be okay.**
Inside the hospital, I saw a nurse in a mask walking past, carrying some medical equipment. I stopped in front of her and asked desperately,
"Where's the patient from the car accident?"
The nurse looked at my swollen eyes and tear-streaked face. Without asking further, she pointed toward the Emergency Ward.
"Room No. 9."
As soon as I saw the emergency ward sign, my legs felt weak. Trembling, I walked forward but just then, I noticed my in-laws stepping out of the operation theatre. They looked pale and helpless. They were talking to the doctor and a police officer.
I didn't know why, but my entire body started to feel numb. I wanted to run toward them, but my legs refused to hold my weight and I fell to the floor.
Everyone turned toward me. My mother-in-law, who was standing nearby, rushed over and caught me in her arms.
"Baby, don't cry! Don't cry! We're still here, we're still with you."
The moment she said those words, I understood what she meant. And I cried louder than ever before. The pain that had been locked inside finally poured out. I didn't try to hold back. She pulled me into her embrace and began patting my back.
She helped me stand and brought me to a nearby bench. But I couldn't sit properly. I just buried my head in her lap, and she began gently caressing my hair.
"Cry, dear. Let it out. Don't hold anything back."
After a few minutes, once I was finally able to calm myself, I slowly lifted my head. Her face was stained with tears too.
I hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear, "Thank you, Mom."
She looked toward my father-in-law and said, "Brian, give me your car key. I'll take our daughter home."
But when I heard that, I stood up.
"No, Mom. I want to see my parents. I can't go with you right now. Please... let me stay here."
"Dear, please listen to me. Let your dad take care of everything. You're not in any condition so, come with me."
She tried to take my hand again, but I pulled away and rushed toward the operation theatre.
And when I saw my parents lying there, lifeless. I felt the ground slip from beneath me.
Their bodies… the blood, the broken bones, I couldn't bear it. I couldn't even imagine what kind of torture they had gone through before…
My head started spinning. I lost control again but before I could fall, my mother-in-law had followed me and caught me in time.
She supported me and helped me walk out of the hospital. Even after we got into the car, she fastened my seatbelt with care.
"Sarah… are you alright?" she asked, placing her hand gently against mine.
I nodded slowly and closed my eyes. But the images of my parents kept flashing before me, haunting me. So I turned my head and stared silently out the window.
When we reached home, a new surprise was waiting. Kevin.
He was standing in front of the house, a suitcase in one hand, pressing the doorbell repeatedly.
My mother-in-law and I stepped out of the car together.
She first wiped the tears from my eyes, then held my hand as we walked together toward him.
"Kevin… what are you doing here?"