Chapter 3

Everyone froze.

Max stood rooted where he was, his fury draining into pure panic.

"I... I didn't mean to."

"I just bumped into her by accident..."

"Mom!"

I couldn't waste time arguing with Max. I had to get her to the hospital.

But my stomach twisted with cramp after cramp, my emotions too raw to hold down.

Max reached out to steady me, his voice finally tightening.

"Enough, don't talk about that now."

"You're not fully recovered yet. I'll drive you both to the hospital."

He bent down, lifted her into his arms, and strode toward the garage.

Her breathing grew fainter and fainter.

I wanted so badly to tell myself it would be fine, but my voice shook out of my control.

"Max, drive faster."

"She's the only family I have left. I can't lose her..."

Max glanced at the rearview mirror and, for once, softened his tone.

"Vivien, don't be scared."

"I've already called the hospital. Mom's going to be fine."

Would she really...

My nose stung, and just as I was about to speak, Max's phone rang.

Debbie's name flashed on the screen.

Max hesitated a moment, then answered anyway.

Debbie's voice came through at once, thick with tears.

"Max, I wanted to make some chicken soup and bring it to the hospital for your mom."

"But the pressure cooker just exploded, the kitchen's full of smoke, I'm so scared..."

Max tensed instantly.

"Are you hurt?"

"I think my hand got burned. I don't dare move, and there's this strange noise in the apartment. What if it blows up again?"

Max slammed on the brakes.

I nearly hit the seat in front of me and threw my arms around her head just in time.

"What are you doing? The hospital's right ahead!"

But Max acted as if he hadn't heard.

He swung the car around, his voice fast and clipped.

"Debbie's home alone. What if something happens to her?"

I lifted my head, unable to believe it.

"You can call building maintenance, you can call the police. Get Mom to the hospital first, she's dying!"

"Debbie's terrified. She can't get a word out on the phone. I have to go back and check."

My mother's life hung by a thread.

Debbie had only had a fright.

And Max still chose her.

He opened the car door and said it like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.

"Flag down a car on the side of the road and take Mom to the hospital."

"Once I've dealt with things at Debbie's, I'll come find you right away."

"Mom only bumped her head lightly, she'll be fine. But Debbie alone at home is really dangerous."

A few hours ago, this was exactly how he'd abandoned my illiterate mother.

Now he was abandoning us all over again.

I couldn't gamble with my mother's life.

I could only lift my head and stare hard at Max.

"Max, if you dare leave today, we're getting divorced."

The car went quiet.

Max's hands froze on the wheel.

In the end, he only let out a soft sigh.

"Vivien, stop being difficult."

"The hospital's right ahead. Flag a car and you'll make it."

"Debbie really can't do without me right now."

Then he shut the car door, turned around, and left.

Dust flew up.

The car pulled farther and farther away in front of me.

In that moment, I was certain.

My marriage to Max was over, completely.