The next morning at dawn, Aeris sat on the plane, flying to his first destination.
From everything he knew, it was the richest place in terms of history. It felt only right to begin his journey there.
While enjoying the beauty of the world, he can also enjoy the drama back home.
While Aeris embarked on his journey, Rosalind — Aeris's stepmother — was at her neighbor's house, chatting animatedly about the latest TV drama.
Both housewives, they had a morning routine : once their husbands and children left for work and school, they would gather for tea and gossip.
"My husband is returning home today," Rosalind said proudly, adjusting her freshly manicured nails. "I told him to buy that new trendy handbag everyone's posting online."
Her neighbor's eyes widened in recognition.
"You mean the one Linn posted on her social media yesterday? I saw it too."
Her voice shifted, turning sour with envy.
"I wanted to buy it as well, but you know how it is. We're saving up for our son's college next year. I had to give in."
Just as Rosalind was about to respond, her phone rang, cutting the conversation short.
"Hello?"
"Is this Mrs. Rosalind?"
"Yes… may I know who's calling?"
"Ma'am, we are calling from City Hospital. Your husband, Mr. Glenn...."
Rosalind froze, her heartbeat stumbled.
"W-what? How is he?"
There was a brief pause on the other end.
"Ma'am, we're not certain yet. The patient requires urgent treatment, and we need immediate family consent to proceed. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible."
Rosalind's grip tightened around the phone, knuckles turning white. Her breath hitched, panic rose uncontrollably.
"I—I'll come right away."
Without changing, without a word—Rosalind anxiously rushed out of the house.
Throughout the journey, from home to the hospital, her mind raced in fear and trepidation.
At the hospital, Rosalind frantically signed the consent document. The scrawled signature was a testament to the fear and unease she couldn't hide.
As soon as her signature was completed, Glenn was sent into the emergency room, cutting the two worlds apart.
Rosalind paced anxiously at the hallway, glancing repeatedly at the door as the doctors worked desperately to save her husband.
The smell of antiseptic, the sound of the machines, the silent hallway only heightened the tension in her already pounding heart.
After hours of waiting, the wait finally ended.
Rosalind's steps were hurried as she approached the doctor. Her voice trembled.
"Doctor, how is my husband? Can I go inside and see him?"
The doctor's expression was grave. "Ma'am, please come to my office."
He motioned for her to sit. "Ma'am… your husband is stable for now, but his condition is serious. His spine is broken. He may never walk again."
Rosalind's vision blurred as wave of dizziness washed over her. If she hadn't been sitting but standing, she would have collapsed on the ground.
"W-what… what do you mean?" she whispered, voice barely audible.
The doctor's eyes were heavy with sympathy. "We'll do everything we can, but the..is very severe. I am afraid our current technology can't help him. You need to be prepared."
Rosalind walked to the ward with heavy, unsteady steps. She pushed the door open and sat beside her unconscious husband.
She had quit her job after marriage and dedicated her entire life to the family. And now—next year, her twins would be going to college. Tuition, living expenses, medical bills…
Without her husband's income, how were they supposed to survive?
Her heart plummeted to the bottom.
As the saying goes—misfortune never comes alone.
A sudden commotion erupted outside the ward. Rosalind frowned in irritation. Just as she stood to check the situation, the door was flung open.
An old woman—around seventy—stumbled in with red, swollen eyes and disheveled hair. Behind her stood several nurses and strangers trying to stop her.
Rosalind's eyes widened in disbelief. Fury surged through her.
"Who are you people?! There's a patient here! Get out—now! Nurse, is this how your hospital treats patients? I'll report you all!"
The nurses looked helpless. They didn't dare use force—what if the elderly woman fainted or broke something? Reasoning was useless; she simply wouldn't listen.
The old woman glared at Rosalind with hatred.
"Are you his wife?"
"What does that have to do with you? Get out!" Rosalind snapped angrily.
The old woman's rage exploded. She lunged forward, grabbed Rosalind's hair, and yanked hard.
"You shameless witch!" she screamed. "Your husband killed my son! And you still dared to be arrogant! I won't let you live in peace."
"Let go—! Let go of me, you crazy old woman!"
Rosalind struggled to pry the hand off her hair, but the old woman showed no intention of loosening her grip.
Rosalind could easily shove her away, but she hesitated—afraid of accidentally injuring someone so fragile and elderly.
The nurses and a few people who appeared to be the old woman's relatives tried pulling her back, yet she refused to let go. Despite her age, she clung tightly, her strength fueled by grief and rage.
It felt as though she wanted to rip Rosalind's scalp off.
Unable to bear the burning pain on her scalp any longer, Rosalind finally snapped. She shoved the old woman away with force.
The old woman stumbled backward, nearly falling as she attempted to lunge again—only to be restrained by nurses and her own family.
"Let me go!" she shrieked, thrashing like a trapped animal. She even kicked her leg toward Rosalind. "Don't stop me! I'll send them down to accompany my son!"
When she realized she couldn't break free, her fury collapsed into despair. Her strength drained, and she sank to the cold floor, shaking violently as she sobbed.
"My son was kind, always joyful and positive." she wailed, voice cracking with grief. "How could you take him away? My only son… my boy…"
Her cries echoed through the ward, spilling into the hallway where more people gathered, whispering, watching.
Some wiped their eyes, unable to bear the sight of her grief.
Rosalind stood stiffly in the corner, breath uneven, heart pounding. As the accusations settled in her mind, realization cut deep: her husband's car had collided with the old woman's son—and now someone was dead.
Her expression twisted in disbelief and outrage.
"What do you mean my husband killed your son?!" she shouted, voice sharp. "His spine is broken—he'll never walk again! Isn't that punishment enough?!"
She glared at the sobbing woman.
"And we don't even know whose fault it is! How dare you accuse us without proof!"
The situation was seconds from exploding again when the police arrived, instantly silencing the chaos.
Under their stern warning, the old woman was finally escorted out—though her tear-filled eyes never left Rosalind.
One of the officers stepped forward.
"Mrs. Li," he said calmly, opening a small folder. "The Traffic Department has completed its preliminary investigation. Based on CCTV footage, skid analysis, and witness statement, the accident occurred due to negligent speeding from your husband's side."
Rosalind's breath froze.
"No… no, that's impossible." She shook her head violently. "He—he wouldn't… he doesn't—"
But denial couldn't change reality.
Whether she accepted it or not, her family had to take responsibility for the incident.
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