"Dakota?"
He waited for her response, but none came.
"Are you there, sweetheart?"
Still nothing.
"Dakota, answer me."
The silence that followed sent a wave of alarm through him. He knew she had heard what he said, but he had not expected her to react this way. Before he could call her name again, he activated the emergency alert on his phone, triggering the alarm throughout the estate.
Back in the master bedroom, Dakota remained frozen for a few seconds, unable to process the news. Her breathing became increasingly erratic, her chest tightening as she struggled to draw air into her lungs. She tried to reach for the phone, but her hands would not cooperate. The next moment, her body gave way, and she collapsed onto the bed, her limbs twitching as she fought for breath.
The estate alarm sounded, immediately drawing the attention of everyone nearby.
