CLAIRE

I stood in the empty emergency room hallway, staring at the doors Julian had disappeared through, the smell of antiseptic burned my nose.

Everything felt surreal, like I was watching myself from outside my body. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. Marcus calling.

I'd forgotten to tell him what happened. "Hello?" I answered, my voice shaking.

"Ms. Cross, I heard ambulance sirens at the building," Marcus said. "Is everything alright?"

"It's Julian," I said, my throat tight. "He had chest pains, they brought us to Crestview Hospital."

"I'm on my way," Marcus said immediately.

"You don't have to..." I started.

"I'll be there in...