Bella's POV
The pastry display cases at Star Brew were only half-filled when my phone buzzed against the counter. Mrs. Martha's name appeared on the screen, and something cold twisted in my stomach. I almost ignored it, my hands covered in flour, deadlines breathing down my neck. But instinct made me swipe to answer.
"Mrs. Martha," I said, cradling the phone between my shoulder and ear while I continued working. "I'm swamped right now. Could we talk later?"
Her voice sounded paper-thin, fragile. "Bella, honey, you need to get to the hospital right away. Your mother's situation changed this morning. The doctors discovered something beyond the diabetes complications."
My hands stilled on the display tray. "What do you mean, beyond? Yesterday they said she was improving."
"I don't have all the details, dear. The medical team wants to meet with family immediately. Please hurry."
