Chapter 4: The Slap That Shook the Room

Suddenly, a middle-aged woman hurried over. Her heels clicked against the tile, sharp and fast. I recognized her immediately—Rick’s wife, Linda.

“Jamie? Your mom was right—you really are here! Come with me, quick!” She grabbed my hand, her grip surprisingly strong. I yanked my hand back, refusing to budge.

When she realized she couldn’t move me, she turned back, her face twisted in irritation. Her lips curled, eyes flashing. “What do you want? Can you stop being so stubborn? Your Uncle Rick is still at the police station. If you don’t explain things, are you just going to keep up this act?”

Of course—it was Rick’s wife. This couple has no respect for the law. Blocking an ambulance, getting arrested—what could be more normal for them? I almost laughed. The world was upside down, and they acted like it was business as usual.

But she and my mom have always been close. She was the first to suggest Mom go fulfill her old flame’s wishes after his cancer diagnosis. I remembered the two of them, heads together, plotting out Mason’s bucket list like it was a game.

“Sharon’s already been held back by you and your dad her whole life. Now that her true love is suffering, you can’t selfishly keep her at home. Let her chase her own happiness!” She said it loud enough for everyone in the waiting room to hear, her voice ringing with self-righteousness. People started to stare.

She made this declaration in front of everyone, full of righteous indignation. The drama was thick in the air. I could feel the tension building.

Mom had once been moved to tears. “Only you really get me. I married a man like this and gave birth to a son like that—my life is ruined. You made me realize my life could still have color.”

The words stung, even though I’d heard them before. It was like she wanted everyone to know just how much she’d suffered, how little we meant to her. My chest tightened, my jaw clenched.

Listening to her, you’d think Dad and I had committed some unforgivable crime against her. I looked around, hoping someone would stand up for us, but nobody did.

I could feel the weight of the stares, the silent judgment of strangers. It was humiliating and infuriating all at once. My cheeks burned. I wanted to disappear.

All these years, Mom lived comfortably at home, too lazy even to pour herself a glass of water, let alone do anything for Dad or me. But in her words, she made it sound like she’d slaved away for us her whole life. It was a joke.

She’d always played the martyr, spinning stories about sacrifice and hardship, when in reality, Dad and I were the ones holding everything together. I felt the unfairness like a stone in my chest.

And that so-called first love? Back then, he dumped Mom to marry a rich girl because of her family background. But Mom refused to face reality, always insisting he was her true love and that he must have had his reasons for leaving her. She clung to that fantasy like a life raft.

It was a fairy tale she clung to, even as the years passed and the truth became obvious to everyone but her. I wanted to shake her, make her see what was right in front of her.

I’d tried more than once to get my parents to divorce, but neither would agree. Mom wouldn’t because she’d never worked a day in her life—Dad was her only source of income, and she wasn’t about to give up her golden goose. Dad wouldn’t because he still had hope, thinking Mom would come around one day.

Their stubbornness trapped us all in a miserable limbo, year after year. I wanted out, but neither of them would let go. It felt like being stuck in quicksand.

So, thanks to their stubbornness, their marriage dragged on until now. And after Mom’s old flame got cancer, she would do anything for him. She’d found her excuse, and nothing would stop her now.

It was like Mason’s illness gave her permission to finally chase the life she’d always wanted, no matter who got hurt in the process. She didn’t care who she left behind.

With Rick’s wife and Mom making a scene, Dad and I spent every day under people’s strange stares. What man could stomach his wife insisting on caring for her first love—and asking her own son and husband to chip in time and money for that guy? The shame was constant.

The gossip in town was relentless. Every time I walked into the grocery store or the diner, I felt the weight of their whispers. It was exhausting. I wanted to scream.

Anyway, in this life, I’ve made up my mind—I’m not going to put up with this humiliation anymore. No more. Never again.

In front of me, Rick’s wife put her hands on her hips and started in with the same lines. Her voice grated on my nerves.

She looked me up and down, her voice rising with every word. “Your mom has done so much for this family. Why can’t you let her be happy—even just see the most important person one last time?”

I couldn’t take it anymore. I slapped her hard across the face. The sound was sharp, echoing. I didn’t regret it for a second.

The sound echoed through the hallway, and the whole waiting room went silent. For once, Linda was speechless. She stared at me, eyes wide, hand pressed to her cheek.

People nearby stopped to watch. I felt their eyes on me, but I didn’t care. I’d had enough of being the quiet, obedient son. Not today.

I raised my voice. “What do you mean? My dad is in a car accident, fighting for his life, and you don’t care if he lives or dies—you just want to drag me away to make peace with your husband, who blocked the ambulance? How can a matter of life and death mean so little to you two?”

My words rang out, sharp and clear. I saw a few people nodding, murmurs of agreement rippling through the crowd. For once, someone was on my side.

Rick’s wife covered her face, staring at me in shock. She never expected that I, who always obeyed Mom, would stand up to her today. She looked like she’d been slapped twice.

Her eyes were wide, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. She tried to muster some tears, but no one was buying it. The act was over.

She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing out a few tears. “If your mom knew you were still putting on a show, how heartbroken would she be? Your mom devoted her whole life to you and your dad. Now her most important person is terminally ill, and you won’t even let her see him one last time.”

I laughed. It was a bitter, humorless sound. “Most important person? Aunt Linda, why don’t you say who that is? It’s that old flame who failed to become a ‘self-made man,’ now old and sick with cancer, who wants my mom to take over? If it weren’t for him, my dad wouldn’t have been forced by my mom to drive to another city to buy those damn fireworks, and wouldn’t be fighting for his life now!”

My words cut through the room like a knife. The crowd’s attitude shifted instantly, their sympathy evaporating. The whispers started up again, but this time, they were on my side.

As soon as I said this, the crowd’s attitude changed, and they all started glaring at Rick’s wife. I could feel the shift in the air.

People began to mutter, their voices rising. “Isn’t this just cheating?”

“Yeah, cheating and acting so righteous.”

“And it’s someone else’s family business. Who is this woman, anyway, being so nosy? The dad’s fighting for his life and she’s here making a scene. Unreal.”

Rick’s wife went red, then pale. She looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

She looked like she wanted to disappear, but couldn’t find the exit. She tried to bluster her way out.

“You don’t know anything. If you don’t get it, don’t talk.” Her voice was shaky, but no one seemed interested in her excuses anymore. People turned away, done with her drama.

Just then, her phone rang. She answered, spoke a few words, then looked up at me. Her expression shifted from anger to panic in an instant.

“Mason got agitated and had an attack. They’re bringing him to Silver Hollow. You and your dad need to leave now—don’t get in your mom’s way!”

She tried to push past me, but I stood my ground. She stormed toward the emergency room doors, her frustration boiling over. She shoved at the doors, but they wouldn’t budge.

She pushed past me, rushing toward the emergency room doors. She tried to force them open, but the doors were reinforced—how could she move them? Her struggle was pointless, but she kept trying.

Her attempts were futile. Security guards approached, their hands resting on their belts. I watched, arms crossed, waiting to see what she’d do next.

Her pointless struggle only attracted hospital security. They moved in, ready to stop her if she tried anything else.

“Ma’am, please stop making a scene here!” One of the guards spoke calmly but firmly, blocking her path. His voice left no room for argument.

Her expression twisted with anger and embarrassment. “What do you mean, making a scene? It’s your hospital wasting resources, admitting fake patients. I’m standing up for justice!”

Her voice was shrill, but no one seemed convinced. The staff exchanged knowing glances, clearly used to dealing with people like her. I almost felt sorry for her. Almost.

I just watched, wondering what she’d try next. I didn’t believe she could cause any real trouble. I leaned against the wall, arms crossed, daring her to try anything else.

“What are you talking about? We already assessed the patient before admitting him. His condition is very serious—how could it be faked? Please don’t spread rumors, or the family can pursue legal action!” The head nurse’s voice was icy, her patience wearing thin. Linda backed down, but not without a few last grumbles.

After hearing this, Rick’s wife seemed a bit scared, but still muttered, “What do you know? His wife told me he just didn’t want to buy fireworks, so he faked being sick. It’s just a selfish man’s trick, and only you would believe it!”

She retreated to a corner, sulking, but the damage was done. No one was listening to her anymore. She glared at me one last time, then gave up.

Still, she didn’t dare touch the doors again, and slunk off to wait for her best friend to bring her old flame over. She threw one last glare my way, but I didn’t care. I had bigger things to worry about.

Not long after, familiar voices came from the hospital entrance. I tensed up, recognizing the tone immediately.

I recognized Mom’s frantic tone before I even saw her. She was always loud when things didn’t go her way. “Mason! Mason! You have to hold on!” Her voice cracked with desperation, echoing down the hallway. I flinched at the sound.

“If you go, I won’t live either!” She sounded so raw, so unlike the woman I’d grown up with. It was almost like she’d finally found something worth caring about, and it wasn’t us. The realization stung.

“Hang in there—I’ve already found a psychic. He’s powerful, he can swap your life with my husband’s. He’ll die for you! The psychic will be here tomorrow, just hang in there!”

The words stopped me cold. I stared at her, disbelief warring with anger. She was willing to sacrifice Dad for Mason—she’d finally said it out loud. I felt sick.

Mom’s anxious voice pierced the air, stabbing at my heart. Even though I already knew how she felt, it still hurt like a knife. I pressed my fist to my chest, trying to breathe.

No matter how many times I told myself I didn’t care, hearing her say it was a different kind of pain. I bit my lip, holding back tears.

Just then, the emergency room doors opened. I hurried over. My feet moved before my brain caught up. I nearly tripped, heart racing.

I stumbled toward the doctor, heart in my throat. My palms were slick with sweat.

The doctor looked apologetic. “He’s out of danger, but because he was brought in too late, his left leg may not fully recover.”

His words were gentle, but the meaning was clear. I felt a wave of guilt crash over me—if only we’d gotten here sooner. My stomach clenched.

A nurse beside him added regretfully, “If he’d arrived five minutes earlier, things would be different. If recovery doesn’t go well, he might walk with a limp.” She gave me a sympathetic smile, trying to soften the blow. I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

I forced a smile. “I understand. Thank you for your hard work.” My voice was hoarse, but I meant every word. They’d done their best, and that was all I could ask for.

Given Dad’s condition, I’m already grateful. As long as he’s alive, that’s enough. I let out a shaky breath, relief and sadness mixing together. I’d take a limp over losing him any day. My knees nearly buckled.