Chapter 3

Everyone froze.

April stood rooted where she was, the anger on her face dissolving into pure panic.

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

"I only bumped her a little..."

"Mom!"

I scrambled to my mother's side, desperate to get her to a hospital.

My stomach was cramping in waves, wrung tight by the surge of emotion.

April reached out to steady me, and her voice finally tightened with nerves.

"Okay, don't say anything else right now."

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

She bent down and lifted my mother; I gritted my teeth and helped support her legs, and together we got her into the car.

Sitting in the car, everything churned inside me.

Mom's breathing was getting weaker and weaker.

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

"April, drive faster. Something's wrong with her."

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

April glanced at the rearview mirror, and for once she softened.

"Owen, don't be afraid."

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

Would she really...

I was about to speak when her phone suddenly rang.

Elmer James's name flashed on the screen.

April hesitated a moment, then pressed answer anyway.

Elmer's rushed voice came pouring out at once.

"April, I wanted to make some chicken soup and bring it to the hospital for Auntie."

"But the pressure cooker just blew up. The kitchen's full of smoke."

April went tense in an instant.

"Are you hurt?"

"My hand got burned. I don't think the gas is shut off either, and I don't dare go back in. It might still explode in there."

April slammed on the brakes.

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

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

But April acted as if she hadn't heard a word.

She swung the car around, her voice quick and urgent.

"Elmer's home alone. What if something happens to him?"

I stared at her, unable to believe it.

"You can call the building management, you can call the police. Get Mom to the hospital first, she's barely holding on!"

"Elmer's hurt, and he can't explain anything clearly over the phone. I have to go back and check."

Mom was hanging by a thread.

Elmer had only burned his hand.

And April still chose him.

She opened the car door and said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Flag down a car by the side of the road and get to the hospital."

"Once I've dealt with things on Elmer's end, I'll come find you right away."

"Mom only knocked her head lightly, it's nothing serious. But Elmer's home alone, and that's really dangerous."

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

Now she was going to abandon us all over again.

I couldn't gamble with Mom's life.

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

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

The car went quiet.

April's hands froze on the steering wheel.

In the end, she only sighed softly.

"Owen, stop being difficult."

"The hospital's right ahead. Flag down a car and you'll be there in no time."

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

Then she shut the car door, turned around, and drove away.

Dust kicked up in the air.

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

In that moment, I was certain.

My marriage to April was completely over.