After hearing my husband's apology, the paramedics' expressions hardened.

"911 is an emergency line. Lives are at stake. You think this is something you can play around with? If we wanted to push this, we could report you for wasting emergency medical resources. Every single one of you would be facing a formal reprimand."

"Yes, yes, of course. We know we were wrong. It won't happen again."

My husband fell over himself apologizing, then turned to Doreen with a show of scolding her. "You hear that? No more using 911 for your dares."

Doreen giggled. "Fine, fine. I get it."

The paramedics clearly weren't satisfied with her attitude. Their faces stayed stony. But they couldn't exactly call the police and have everyone at a corporate gala hauled in, so they turned with tight jaws and started carrying the stretcher toward the exit.

Panic tore through me. "Wait! Don't go!"

The paramedics paused and looked back.

My husband was at my side in an instant, his voice a sharp hiss. "Haven't you caused enough of a scene?"

Then he leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Doreen's just being playful. Humor her. It's harmless. Let these people leave, and I'll drive your mother to the hospital myself."

"She might not last that long." I grabbed his arm, fingers digging in, my eyes pleading. "I'm begging you. Please, just let them take her to the hospital. Please."

"I promise, after this, no matter what Doreen wants to do, I won't get angry. I'll go along with everything. Just let them take my mom. Please."

Hesitation flickered across his face.

But before he could answer, Doreen burst out laughing.

"See? I told you this dare was fun! Look, even Mrs. Abbott can't get enough. She wants to keep playing!"

The paramedics' expressions shifted from confusion to outrage as they processed what they'd just heard.

"Did she seriously just ignore everything I said?"

"Call the police. Right now. She needs to be formally reprimanded."

My blood ran cold. "No, please don't call the police!"

Because the moment they took me away, even if Arnold eventually brought my mother to the hospital, there was no telling how long he'd drag his feet.

The paramedics' glares only hardened. I pointed frantically at my mother, who lay on the floor convulsing.

"Look at her! I wasn't lying to you. My mother needs emergency treatment now."

Their eyes followed my hand, and every face changed the instant they saw her.