She pressed it.
Later, while her father slept, Zara opened her phone. She went to her blocked list again. It was empty now.
She stared at the screen, thumb hovering. Then she swiped it away.
She fumbled with her phone, navigating to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. There it was. . Her finger trembled over the red “Unblock” button.
When the doctor finally came out and said, “He’s going to be fine,” her mother crumpled into Zara’s shoulder.
Then she typed a message: “I love you. Let’s talk tomorrow. For real this time.”
“The hospital just called,” her mother whispered. “Your father collapsed. They’re prepping him for surgery. I’ve been trying to reach you for an hour.”