The App That Failed, The Love That Never Was Chapter 05

The App That Failed, The Love That Never Was Chapter 05

By the time dawn broke, five hours had passed since I had walked out.

Mom had made her favorite food, and Dad reminded her to take her vitamins.

Life went on as if nothing had changed. My absence went completely unnoticed.

Sylvie bit into her toast, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. “Maybe… I should probably give Nalani her translation device and headphones back. She was so upset yesterday, she looked desperate and

furious.”

Mom squeezed her hand, her tone soft. “Honey, she won’t use them anyway. Besides, her attitude

needs to be checked.”

“But… I never actually booked them.”

Seventeen years as the golden child had rarely pierced Sylvie’s conscience. But my broken, furious

expression the night before had shaken her. Left her uneasy.

Dad was quick to reassure her. “Since you’re being so thoughtful, I’ll buy you a new translation device and headset. We’ll keep her old set until she apologizes for her behavior.”

Mom stroked Sylvie’s head approvingly. “Our Sylvie is so sweet. If only Nalani were half as reasonable, we wouldn’t have so much stress.”

Just then Dad’s phone rang. An unknown number. He put it on speaker without thinking. “Hello,

who’s this?”

A serious female voice came through. “This is Dr. Hale from City General Hospital. Are you Nalani

Carter’s father? She listed this number as an emergency contact.”

Dad blinked. “Yes, I’m her father.”

Dr. Hale’s voice was cold. “Nalani underwent emergency surgery with us two days ago. We’ve been trying to reach her emergency contacts regarding her post–op care. Can you come in today?”

Dad and Mom stared at each other, shocked. “Surgery? What surgery?”

“Emergency appendectomy,” Dr. Hale said. “Her condition was serious enough that we couldn’t

delay surgery. She called you multiple times and texted, with no response.”

“We proceeded under emergency protocols. She tried to reach you multiple times before the operation. How could no one in her family show up during a crisis like this?”

Mom trembled, the color draining from her face. “Appendicitis? But she always seemed fine.”

“Fine?” Dr. Hale let out a bitter, tired laugh. “For years she’s lived with stress–triggered gastritis and severe malnutrition. That means years of stomach spasms, vomiting episodes. How could you miss those warning signs? This isn’t a scheduling conflict. This is abandonment during a medical

CNsis.”

“I won’t waste further time. Get to the hospital to sign those documents before the end of today.“”

The call ended.

Mom and Dad stood frozen, ashen–faced, neither able to speak.

Sylvie knew something was seriously wrong. She walked over and knocked on my closed bedroom door. “Nalani? Are you in there?”

No reply. She pushed the door open tentatively.

A second later, she let out a scream. “Mom! Dad! Come quick! Her room’s completely empty!”

My parents rushed in, nearly tripping over themselves. The bedroom stood bare. Wardrobe doors gaped open, not a single piece of clothing left.

Every trace of me was gone. Torn family photos lay at the bottom of the trash can.

Dad fumbled for his phone and dialed me. Straight to voicemail. He sent message after message, only to see red “Failed to Send” alerts. Mom and Sylvie tried calling and messaging too, hitting the

same wall.

Sylvie’s lips shook. “Is… is Nalani never coming home?”

Mom shook all over. “She’s just acting out. Once she cools off she’ll be back. How could she keep something as serious as surgery from us?”

Then Dad remembered the household booking app he’d barely ever opened. He opened it.

The app’s system glitch had finally been resolved. A flood of old, pending notifications filled his screen. Every single one was from me.

[Mom and Dad, I’m in ER at City General Hospital. I need you, please come.]

[The doctor says I need emergency surgery, but my booking request won’t send.]

[I called you and you didn’t pick up. Are you busy? They are taking me into the OR. I’m scared.

Please come be with me.]

[Please… I’m really scared.]

My final request was submitted one minute before they wheeled me into the operating room.

Dad’s hand shook around the phone, his grip failing him. He remembered exactly where he had been then: shopping for fancy dresses with Sylvie, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Remorse and terror hit him all at once. He sank heavily onto the floor and buried his face in his

hands.