Chapter 3
Six o'clock in the evening.
The hospital room door swung open, revealing Ahmir with Brody in his arms and Ruth following behind. They appeared like a picture-perfect family. Unbelievably, Ahmir had brought that mother-and-son pair here to the hospital, seemingly intent on berating Cassian and me!
My vision blurred, and my heart felt as if it were gripped by an invisible hand.
Ahmir frowned. "What's going on? Is Cassian really in the hospital?"
Ruth stood elegantly by the doorway, a fake smile plastered across her face. I recognized the coat—it was an anniversary gift from Ahmir to me years ago. She noticed my gaze and let out a laugh that sounded too rehearsed.
"Oh, sorry, Ella. I ran out of clothes, and it’s cold. Ahmir grabbed one from your closet, saying it suits me well. Hope you don’t mind."
I returned her empty smile and stayed quiet. Ruth stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with spite.
"What happened to Cassian? Isn't it just a little fever? Why all the drama?"
I ignored her, staying beside Cassian and holding his small hand tightly.
Seeing my silence, Ahmir's brows furrowed deeper. He walked over to the bed, intent on pulling the covers off Cassian.
"Right, just a slight fever. Are you exaggerating his illness to force me back home?"
The blankets were pulled back, exposing Cassian's pale cheeks. I lunged forward, slapped his hand away, and quickly covered Cassian up again.
Ahmir spotted Cassian's pallor and paused, but his frustration grew. "How did Cassian get so sick? Gabriela, I didn’t expect you to be not just malicious and jealous but also incapable of taking care of your child! Letting Cassian fall ill like this!"
Ahmir roared, his spit flying in my face. "He kneels at the family grave for a moment and ends up like this. Poor Cassian, having a useless mother like you!"
Brody peered out from Ruth’s embrace, pointing at Cassian on the bed, puzzled. "Mommy, is brother going to die soon? Will he get smelly?"
Ruth feigned concern, gently patting Brody’s back, her eyes coldly malicious. "Brody, you shouldn't speak like that. You might upset Auntie."
Turning to me, her voice dripping with condescension, "Ella, while you might not excel at anything, I thought you’d at least be able to look after your child."
"Brody’s never been this sick. Not everyone is blessed with maternal instincts."
I clenched my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms. Cassian's weak voice echoed in my mind.
"Mommy, I didn’t break the vase. Brody pushed me, and I fell into it..."
"Mommy, the grave is cold. I’m scared..."
"Mommy, I want to go home..."
Ahmir suddenly reached to pick up Cassian. "The child's condition is serious. He needs to go to a better hospital!"
"This place can’t possibly treat him properly!"
I jumped forward, shoving him away with all my strength. "Don’t touch my son! Where are you planning to take him?"
I screamed hysterically, my whole body shaking as I blocked the bed. "My son is my responsibility! I’m the one who decides if I’ll send him to a better hospital!"
Ahmir’s eyes were ablaze with fury, incensed at being repeatedly opposed. "You’re insane! Do you want to harm my son or destroy our father-son relationship?"
"Relationship?" I sneered, my voice strained through clenched teeth. "You may share blood, but when have you ever acted like a father?"
"What have you given Cassian besides a last name? You nearly caused his death yourself!"
Ruth stepped up, her smile intact, trying to diffuse the situation. "Gabriela, calm down. The child is still sick."
"Ahmir, he shouldn’t be moved while he's in this state. We can think about transferring him later."
She coaxed him, tugging at his sleeve in a mockingly playful manner. Ahmir’s chest heaved as he kept his glare fixed on me.