Mathilda’s POV

Fredric and I arrived at the hospital nearly an hour after we’d gotten the news. The traffic jam had trapped us, and every passing minute had gnawed at my nerves. I was in a state of panic, desperate for any update about my father’s condition. Mrs. Rosa hadn’t called again, and the silence made my fear worse.

I prayed silently — begged, really — that God wouldn’t hand me another cruel twist in this story of mine.

“Mathilda…”

Mrs. Rosa was the first person I saw when the elevator