THE INDEBTED BRIDE: TRAPPED IN A CONTRACT

nd fielding endless phone calls. All she wanted to do was take a shower, be a couch potato, and veg out in front of

ief. She saw her mother's coat was still ha

xpecting to hear her mother's warm

out again louder so

he house was eerily quiet and

she started to get worried. She set down the bag of takeout on the counter and flicked

!" she exclaimed. "Mom!" She knelt by her mother's side, "Mom

ine just this morning. She was supposed to be watching her favorite TV show right now, not lying on the floor

r emergency?" the

imed, her voice breakin

calm," the dispatcher rep

ddress, trying to keep

e meantime, I need you to try to re

in her chest. "What? I...

atcher assured firmly. "What's your name?", the dis

First, I need you to check if your mother is bre

ght find, she held her breath and observed, to her relief, sh

ce quivering. "She's brea

eed you to check her pulse,"

around with her mother's hand,

fingers on your mother's wrist, just b

and then she felt it, a faint, but steady pulse. Relief washed over her, and for a moment, s

her acknowledged. "Now, I need y

, steeling herself.

ou to put your hands t

r's breastbone, in the center of her chest. Place your other ha

instructed, her heart racing

e dispatcher instructed. "Push down at least two

med, taking severa

spatcher said. "One, two, Th

the dispatcher had instructed. She tried to block out the fear and panic and just focus o

encouraged. "Keep going.

he said between breat

t job," she continued. "And the paramedics are on their way. They're going to take over for y

shing down on her mother's chest, her arms beginning to ache. But she

little longer," the dispatcher c

e replied, her voice tremblin

ed encouragingly. "You're doing such a wonde

er breath coming in gasp

. "Keep fighting, Mary. You're doing so

ept pushing down on her mother's chest with all the strength she h

the dispatcher exclaimed. "They're going to take over for you now. J

uring. She stumbled to her feet, letting them take over. As she watched the

saw a paramedic kneeling beside her, a kind smile on his face. "You di

tment. One of the paramedics came over to her and placed her hand on her shoulder softly, "are you going to come along with

ng in her throat. As the paramedics wheeled her mother into the emergency room, she watched with