Martin sat alone in his office, staring blankly at the monitor. He had no intention of going home—not while Sharlene was there. They no longer shared a bed, and he only joined meals when their daughter, Ashley, was around. The silence between them had become unbearable.

No matter how harsh or cold he’d been, Sharlene never fought back. Her calm indifference infuriated him. How long would it take before she finally woke up to reality?

He sighed heavily. Once again, he’d stay late—hoping everyone at home would be asleep by the time he returned. Maybe he’d just spend the night at the office.

His phone vibrated.
Sheila.

A faint smile touched his lips as he answered.
“Yeah?”

“Mart, haven’t you heard the news?” Sheila’s voice was urgent.

He frowned. “What news?”

“Ashley… she was in an accident,” she said quietly.

Martin froze.
“What? Where are you? What happened?”

“Are you even worried about Ashley?” Sheila snapped, her tone rising.

He exhaled in irritation. “Maybe she just tripped or something. Probably in the school clinic.”

Sheila’s frustration was palpable through the phone.
“Turn on the news, Martin. Now.”

“I’m still at the office. What’s going on, Sheila?”

“Go to the hospital. Your wife’s already there.”

He hesitated. “Fine. I’ll pick you up.”

“No. It’ll just make things worse if we show up together.”

“Wouldn’t that be better? Let Sharlene get a clue about us.”

“Stop being insensitive, Martin. I want her gone too—but not like this.”

He gritted his teeth. “Text me the address.”

The line went dead.

Minutes later, he was driving through traffic, his thoughts churning. By the time he reached the hospital, chaos reigned—nurses rushing, parents crying, people shouting names through tears.

He spotted Sheila standing near Sharlene. Tashia and Vivianne were close by, their faces pale.

“Sister…” Tashia whispered, watching Sharlene, who sat motionless, eyes blank.

Martin approached carefully. “What happened?” he asked Sheila.

“She was on a field trip,” Sheila murmured. “The bus lost its brakes and fell into a ravine. Many of the kids didn’t make it.”

Martin stood frozen.
Then, from somewhere down the hall, a mother burst from the morgue screaming, her grief cutting through the air like a blade.

Martin clenched his fists. “What’s Sharlene waiting for?” he asked Vivianne.

She looked at him sharply. “She’s waiting to hear if Ashley’s—” She stopped when Tashia shook her head, silently begging her not to finish.

“She’s in critical condition,” Sheila whispered beside him.

At that moment, a doctor called out, “Francisco?”

Everyone jumped to their feet. Sharlene rushed forward, Martin following close behind.

Inside the room, the sight shattered him. Ashley lay unconscious, her small body wrapped in bandages and tubes, machines beeping faintly beside her.

“Ashley… my baby…” Sharlene’s voice cracked as she stumbled toward the bed.

“H–How is she, Doctor?” she managed to ask, her voice trembling.

“She’s stable, but her injuries are severe,” the doctor said gently. “There’s bleeding in her brain. We’re monitoring it to see if the clot will dissolve on its own. Surgery would be too risky for now.”

Martin said nothing. His mind was already calculating the costs. He sighed under his breath.
“Isn’t there a quicker way to fix this?”

Sharlene turned to him, disbelief flashing in her tear-streaked eyes.

“She needs to stay in the ICU for close monitoring,” the doctor continued. “We’ll do everything we can. She’s a brave little girl.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Sharlene whispered, her voice breaking.

Outside the room, the hallway was thick with grief—parents crying, others fainting as they received news of their children.

Martin clenched his jaw, the noise pressing against his skull.
“This wouldn’t have happened if you were watching her!” he snapped suddenly.

Sharlene looked at him blankly, her face pale and hollow.

“You live close to the school, and you still let this happen?”

Her lips trembled, but she didn’t cry. “I’m not a neglectful mother,” she said quietly.

“If you’d been more careful, maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess! Do you even think at all?” he shouted.

Sharlene’s composure cracked. “This was an accident, Martin! No one expected it! And what about you—have you ever been a real father to her?”

“Enough!” Vivianne snapped, stepping between them. “Now is not the time to fight!”

“Damn this!” Martin growled, storming out of the hospital.

“Martin!” Sheila called after him, but he didn’t stop.

In the parking lot, he paced back and forth, his anger boiling into panic. Sheila followed quietly, slipping into the car beside him.

“Calm down,” she said softly, placing a hand on his arm.

“How the hell am I supposed to calm down?” he hissed.

“I’m not your enemy right now,” she whispered. “I’m here for you. Okay?”

He just nodded stiffly, his chest tight.

Sheila leaned in and wrapped her arms around him.
This time, he didn’t pull away.