Chapter 3

3

She sounded incredibly agitated on the other end.

"Are you just doing this because I didn't listen to you and went with Harrison?"

"I ignored you, so you went to the hospital to harass my parents? Do you have a shred of conscience left?"

I tried to stay calm. "Listen to me…"

Cora interrupted impatiently.

"I don't have time for your nonsense. I need to be with Harrison."

"This is my final warning. If you want to stay married, stay in your lane. If not, we'll divorce when I get back."

"If you stress my parents out one more time, I will make your life a living hell!"

She hung up abruptly.

I decided to cast my pride aside. I knelt on the floor and begged the Chief.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my back. Martha was grabbing my shirt, kicking and hitting me.

"I'll kill you myself, you little brat! Telling everyone your father is dying! Have you no shame?"

I had no choice. I ran back to the room and tried to physically carry Arthur to the scanning room.

He exploded in anger. He grabbed a ceramic mug from the nightstand and smashed it against my head. Blood started dripping down my face.

Martha caught up and scratched at my face. I jerked my head away, but she caught my neck, leaving deep gashes.

"You're a backstabbing bastard! I spit on you!" She yelled, seeing the blood on my neck.

Looking at their hateful expressions, I walked out of the room in silence. I sat on a bench in the hallway, feeling hollow.

I tried calling Cora again. She was the only one who could convince them now.

I called a dozen times. She didn't pick up once.

It seemed that in her world, no one mattered except Harrison.

Suddenly, Martha ran out of the room screaming, "Help! Someone help! He's not breathing!"

The doctor and several nurses rushed in.

But it was too late.

When the doctor officially pronounced Arthur dead, Martha's world went dark, and she collapsed.

After making sure she was being cared for, I called Cora again. Still no answer.

I sent her a text: "Your father is dead. Get back here for the funeral arrangements."

Martha eventually woke up. She grabbed my hand with her cold, trembling fingers, weeping with regret.

"Zane… I was wrong. I shouldn't have ignored you. I shouldn't have hit you."

"I shouldn't have believed Cora. I'm just a stupid old woman, oh God…"

Watching her sob, I didn't know how to comfort her.

I just said, "Mom, regret won't help now. We need to get Cora back here."

Martha looked at me in shock. "She didn't come back after the news?"

I shook my head. Martha dialed her number immediately.

Cora sounded annoyed when she picked up.

"Mom, don't you have anything better to do than call me all day? I'm swamped here. Whatever it is, it can wait."

"What is there to be busy with?! Your father is dead!" Martha shrieked.