Chapter 94 — The Collapse
The night was heavy in Care's Sydney mansion. Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, but the shadows felt suffocating. Daisy's door was closed—too quiet. Too unnaturally quiet.
Cole's steps were fast, purposeful, as he reached the door. He knocked sharply. "Daisy! Hey! Are you in there?"
No answer.
Care followed behind him, frowning. "She's not answering. That's not like her."
Percy appeared in the hallway, holding his phone. "I texted her—nothing. I mean, she's usually glued to her phone even at midnight!"
Ash joined, her eyes scanning the hallway. "Something's… off. Very off."
Before anyone could say more, Cole's hand turned the doorknob. The door creaked open—and what they saw made the entire room freeze.
The Discovery
Daisy lay on the floor, motionless. Her hair was splayed across the carpet, and near her hand was a small, empty pill bottle. Another lay spilled across the floor, the pills glinting in the moonlight. Her chest rose shallowly—barely enough to notice.
Cole's heart stopped for a split second. Then, instinct kicked in. "Daisy! Oh god…"
He dropped to his knees beside her, checking her pulse. "Nova! Ben! Cin!" he yelled, voice cracking.
Nova appeared immediately from the hallway, her hair slightly disheveled. "Cole! What happened?"
Cole's voice shook. "She… she's taken sleeping pills. Too many. She's barely breathing!"
Ben ran to join them. "Show me! Show me where—" His eyes widened as he crouched. "Damn it, this is serious."
Cin, who had been checking his phone for messages from Kiefer, arrived, adjusting his glasses. "Get her up. Oxygen first. I need full vitals now."
Chaos Erupts
Care's voice rose, commanding: "Ash! Help me get blankets! Percy, call the hospital emergency team! NOW!"
Percy was already pacing, phone pressed to his ear. "Yes, yes! Ambulance! Urgent! No, she's conscious but barely breathing—ICU ready!"
Honey appeared behind him, panic in her eyes. "Oh my god… oh my god…"
Rakhi grabbed her wrist gently. "Honey! We have to stay calm. Help us coordinate."
Freya whispered, biting her lip, "I didn't think… she was hiding this from everyone… even us?"
Ella's hands were clenched. "Joong should be here. Where the hell is he?"
Aries muttered, "Seoul. Always Seoul." His voice was grim, jaw tight. "We handle this now."
Alex and Lyra arrived, both looking shocked. Lyra grabbed Alex's arm. "She looks… she's so pale. I can't believe…"
Alex turned, voice low but firm. "Cole, do what you need to do. This is life or death."
Cole Takes Charge
Cole ignored everyone except Daisy. He leaned close, feeling her pulse. "Stay with me, Daisy. Stay with me!" His hands shook slightly but moved with precision, checking vitals and clearing her airway.
Nova slid in next to him. "Cole, intubation prep. Ben, oxygen mask ready!"
Ben nodded, placing a mask over Daisy's face. "We need to keep her oxygen stable until the ambulance arrives."
Cin set up the IV line, syringes and medication ready. "We can't lose her. Keep her heart steady."
Care handed Cole a blanket. "She's going to be okay… we'll make sure."
Cole wrapped the blanket around Daisy, murmuring, "We're not letting go. You hear me? Not ever."
Outside Daisy's Room
Percy and Honey coordinated traffic for the ambulance. Percy shouted, "Clear the driveway! I don't care how fast the cars move—this is emergency!"
Rakhi, Freya, and Ella handled the rest of the mansion staff. "Everyone stay calm! Help with the doors! Bring anything they might need!"
Ash ran alongside Care, holding oxygen tanks. "I can't believe this… she seemed fine all day. She was smiling at breakfast!"
Care shook her head. "She hides everything. Always. But tonight… she couldn't."
Kiefer was on his phone, pacing. "JJ! Emergency protocol ready? ICU team prepped?"
JJ's calm but authoritative voice came through the speaker. "Yes, Kiefer. I've notified all teams. Cole? Make sure she stays stable."
The Rush to the Hospital
Cole and Nova carefully lifted Daisy onto a stretcher. Ben checked her vitals continuously. Cin monitored her airway and administered emergency medication.
Care sat in the front seat of the car, holding oxygen equipment and talking softly to Daisy. "Daisy… you're safe. We're here. Don't close your eyes."
Cole followed in the ambulance, leaning over her, whispering, "You're family. You can fight this. Come back to us."
The mansion was alive with chaos. Percy and Honey led staff cars, signaling traffic, clearing the path. Rakhi and Freya coordinated logistics, Ella and Aries provided calm voices for anyone panicking.
Alex and Lyra stayed in constant communication with the hospital, giving updates on traffic and ETA.
Hospital Arrival
The ambulance screeched to a halt at the emergency entrance. Doctors and nurses were already waiting. Nova, Ben, and Cin moved like a well-oiled machine:
Nova gave orders: "Vitals first. Monitor cardiac rhythm."
Ben adjusted oxygen and started IV fluids.
Cin prepped intubation.
Cole never left Daisy's side. "She's awake. Very weak. Watch her vitals!"
Care and Ash followed, assisting, providing blankets, holding Daisy's hand when Cole had to adjust equipment.
Outside, Kiefer's jaw was tight, JJ's face calm but anxious. Percy and Honey paced, arguing over minor logistics but under the surface filled with panic. Rakhi rubbed her temples; Freya muttered curses under her breath. Alex and Lyra were in quiet coordination, giving hospital updates.
Emotional Chaos
Daisy groaned softly, eyelids fluttering. Cole whispered, "You're awake… I need you to hold on. You can't leave us now."
Care brushed her hair from Daisy's face. "You're family. We'll take care of you."
Nova checked her monitors. "Heart rate stabilizing… oxygen levels improving… but she's fragile. We need continuous attention."
Ben nodded. "Everything's set. Let's move quickly."
Cin's hands were steady. "She's our priority. Focused intervention only."
Cole leaned closer, whispering, voice cracking slightly, "I've got you… no one is leaving you tonight. Not ever."
Outside, Percy muttered, "I never thought I'd be this relieved seeing someone alive… not like this."
Honey nodded, eyes brimming. "Don't even joke about it, Percy… I can't."
Rakhi whispered to Freya, "This is why we can't ignore signs… not ever."
Ella muttered to Aries, "We were lucky to catch this in time."
Aries held her hand. "Lucky? This was family saving family. Purely."