It was well into the night, and Zoe had just finished her IV drip, already fast asleep in bed.

Penelope rested on the nearby cot, but the sudden ringing of his phone signaled trouble brewing in the late hours.

He rose to grab the phone, his expression souring as he glanced at the caller ID.

The ward was quiet, the abrupt ring of the phone disturbing the tranquility. Zoe stirred awake, looking at Penelope with concern as he got out of bed, asking, "Is everything okay?"

Penelope took the phone and stepped outside, saying, "It's nothing. Go back to sleep, I'll be in shortly."

With that, he left the room,...