Chapter 2: Too Late

The words on the other end of the phone hit Richard Lawson like a freight train.

"...pray you aren't already too late."

For a moment, he couldn't breathe.

"What happened?" he demanded, rising so abruptly that his chair scraped across the polished conference room floor.

No one dared speak.

The directors of Lawson Biotech watched their CEO's face lose every trace of color.

"Richard," Grandma Eleanor said quietly, her voice trembling despite her effort to stay calm. "Evelyn collapsed."

His heart stopped.

"What do you mean she collapsed?"

"She isn't responding."

"No..."

He grabbed his car keys without ending the meeting.

"I'm on my way."

"Richard..."

But the line had already gone dead.

---

"Sir?"

His assistant hurried after him.

"The investors are waiting."

"I don't care."

"The merger documents—"

"I said I don't care!"

It was the first time anyone had ever heard Richard Lawson raise his voice at work.

He sprinted through the lobby, ignoring the curious stares of employees.

Outside, rain had begun to fall.

He climbed into his black Aston Martin, started the engine, and sped away.

His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Please...

Don't let me lose her.

Not yet.

---

Back in Willow Creek...

Grandma Eleanor continued chest compressions while speaking calmly.

"Nadia."

The little girl looked up through tear-filled eyes.

"I need you to be brave."

"I'm scared."

"I know."

"But your mother needs us."

Nadia nodded, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

"What do I do?"

"Bring me the blue medical box."

Without hesitation, Nadia ran.

She knew exactly where it was.

Growing up with Grandma Eleanor meant knowing where every bandage, herb, and bottle of medicine belonged.

She returned within seconds.

"Here."

"Good girl."

Grandma Eleanor quickly prepared emergency medication.

Her hands moved with years of experience.

But inside...

She was terrified.

She had treated hundreds of patients.

Yet nothing frightened her more than watching her own daughter slip away.

---

The front door burst open.

Dr. Michael Hayes hurried inside with his medical bag.

He was Willow Creek's family doctor.

"I came as soon as Eleanor called."

He knelt beside Evelyn immediately.

The room fell silent.

He checked her pulse.

Her breathing.

Her pupils.

Then he looked toward Grandma Eleanor.

The expression on his face said everything.

"Help me move her."

Together they lifted Evelyn onto the couch.

Dr. Hayes connected a portable oxygen mask.

Nadia watched every movement.

"She's going to be okay..."

she whispered.

No one answered.

---

Outside...

Neighbors continued arriving.

Word spread through Willow Creek faster than wildfire.

Mrs. Brooks stood on the porch praying quietly.

Mr. Jenkins removed his cap.

Even the children stopped playing.

The Lawson farmhouse had always been filled with laughter.

Tonight...

It was filled with fear.

---

Inside the living room...

Nadia refused to leave her mother's side.

She held Evelyn's hand tightly.

It felt colder than usual.

"Mom..."

she whispered.

"You still have to sing Happy Birthday."

"You promised."

A single tear rolled down Grandma Eleanor's cheek.

She quickly wiped it away before Nadia could see.

---

Nearly two hours later...

Headlights swept across the farmhouse windows.

A black Aston Martin skidded into the driveway.

Richard jumped out before the engine stopped.

He ran to the front door.

"Nadia!"

"Evelyn!"

He pushed past everyone gathered inside.

Then he froze.

Evelyn lay motionless.

An oxygen mask covered her face.

Machines quietly monitored her heartbeat.

Richard slowly walked forward.

"No..."

His voice cracked.

"No..."

He knelt beside her.

His trembling hand reached for hers.

"I'm here."

"You hear me?"

"I'm here."

For several long seconds...

Nothing happened.

Then...

Evelyn's fingers moved.

Barely.

Richard leaned closer.

"Evelyn?"

Her eyelids fluttered open.

She smiled weakly.

"You came..."

"I told you I'd come."

"You always say that."

The words pierced his heart.

Because they were true.

He was always working.

Always traveling.

Always promising tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

And somehow...

Tomorrow had become too late.

Tears filled his eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"I should've been here."

"You don't have to apologize."

"Just..."

She turned her head slowly.

"Nadia."

The little girl rushed forward.

"I'm here, Mom."

Evelyn smiled faintly.

"My brave girl."

"You look beautiful."

"I finished my braid."

"I know."

"You kept your promise."

A tear slipped down Evelyn's cheek.

"I always wanted to."

She looked between her daughter and her mother.

Then back at Richard.

"Promise me something."

"Anything."

"If..."

Richard immediately shook his head.

"No."

"No 'if.'"

"You're going to get better."

Evelyn gave him a sad smile.

"Richard."

"Promise me."

He couldn't speak.

His throat burned.

Finally...

He nodded.

"I promise."

"Take care of her."

"Don't let her ever feel alone."

"I won't."

"I swear."

Evelyn looked at Nadia one last time.

"I love you."

"I love you more, Mom."

"You'll always be my little girl."

Then...

The heart monitor let out a long, continuous tone.

**Beeeeeeeeeeep.**

The room fell silent.

"N...No?"

Nadia looked around in confusion.

"Grandma?"

"Why is it making that sound?"

Dr. Hayes slowly closed his eyes.

Richard stared at the monitor in disbelief.

"No..."

He grabbed Evelyn's shoulders.

"No!"

"Evelyn!"

"Wake up!"

"You can't leave!"

"Nadia needs you!"

"I need you!"

There was no response.

Grandma Eleanor broke down in tears.

Dr. Hayes quietly reached over...

...and switched off the monitor.

Nadia looked from one adult to another.

No one was speaking.

No one was moving.

Then she looked back at her mother.

Slowly...

She reached out and touched Evelyn's hand.

It was already growing cold.

"Mom?"

A small smile appeared on Nadia's face.

The innocent smile of a child who didn't yet understand death.

"You promised..."

"...you'd sing Happy Birthday with me."