7
"If only I were intoxicated! If only this were just a bad dream!" Uncle Joe wailed. "Anthony... my sibling is no more. I've lost my brother!"
He collapsed into uncontrollable tears. Anthony terminated the call as Debbie held onto his arm, attempting to comfort him.
"Anthony, this must be a deception. It's Denise and your uncle—they're conspiring to trick you. Why not contact your friend at the police station to verify?"
But Anthony couldn't shake off the dreadful sensation in his heart. Rich's earlier call likely resonated in his mind as he reached for his phone, noticing numerous missed calls—all from me.
He paused before accessing Telegram and playing my voice messages.
"Anthony, Mom and Dad are severely injured! Please return immediately!"
"I don't mind if you ignore me—just come home!"
"Anthony, have you returned yet?"
"Anthony... Mom and Dad... they're deceased."
My voice echoed repeatedly in the quiet room.