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 had been to Sharlene, she never fought back. Her indifference frustrated him. He didn't know how much longer it would take for her to finally wake up to reality.
He sighed deeply. 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.
He smiled faintly and answered.
"Yeah?"
"Mart, haven't you heard the news?" Sheila's voice was urgent.
He frowned. "What news?"
"Ashley… she was in an accident," Sheila said quietly.
Martin froze.
"Where are you? What happened?" he asked.
"Are you even worried about Ashley?" she snapped, frustrated.
He exhaled heavily. "Maybe she just tripped or something. Probably in the school clinic."
Sheila didn't bother hiding her irritation.
"Turn on the news, Martin. Now."
"I'm at the office. What's going on, Sheila?"
"Go to the hospital. Your wife's already there."
"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."
"I'm heading there now. Text me the address," he said flatly.
Sheila ended the call. Martin checked his messages and drove to the hospital. The atmosphere was chaotic—nurses rushing, parents crying, panic in the air.
He spotted Sheila standing beside Sharlene. Tashia and Vivianne were nearby.
"Sister…" Tashia whispered, watching Sharlene, who stared blankly ahead.
Martin approached cautiously.
"What happened?" he asked Sheila.
"She was on a field trip. The bus lost its brakes… it fell into a ravine. Many of the kids didn't make it," Sheila whispered.
Martin stood in stunned silence. Just then, a mother burst from the morgue, wailing uncontrollably. The sound tore through the hall like a knife.
"What's Sharlene waiting for?" Martin asked Vivianne.
She looked at him sharply.
"She's waiting to find out if Ashley's…" She paused when Tashia shook her head, silently asking her not to finish.
"She's in critical condition," Sheila whispered to Martin.
A doctor suddenly called out, "Francisco?"
Everyone jumped to their feet. Sharlene rushed forward, Martin close behind.
Inside the room, the sight was devastating. Ashley lay unconscious, her small body wrapped in bandages, bruised and connected to numerous machines.
"Ashley… my baby," Sharlene choked out, barely holding it together.
"H–How is she, Doctor?" her voice wavered.
"She's stable, but the injuries are severe," the doctor explained. "There's bleeding in her brain. We're observing whether the blood clot will dissolve on its own. Surgery is too risky right now."
Martin stood in silence, mind already calculating the medical costs. He sighed heavily.
"Isn't there a quicker way to fix this?" he asked.
Sharlene turned to him, her eyes burning.
"She needs to be in the ICU for now. We'll monitor her closely," the doctor continued gently.
Martin only nodded.
Damn it. Another problem. Another expense, he thought bitterly.
"We'll move her to the ICU shortly. She's a brave little girl," the doctor said with a kind smile.
"Thank you, Doc," Sharlene said quietly.
Back in the waiting area, the cries of grieving parents echoed around them. Martin clenched his jaw, unsure whether to scream or lash out.
"This wouldn't have happened if you were watching her!" he snapped at Sharlene.
She looked away, her eyes hollow.
"You live close to the school, and you still let this happen?"
Her expression didn't change. She just blinked slowly, trying to hold herself together.
"I'm not a neglectful mother," she replied quietly.
"If you'd been more careful, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess! Do you even think at all?" Martin lashed out.
"This was an accident, Martin. No one expected this. And what about you—have you ever been a real father to her?" she shot back, eyes blazing.
"Enough!" Vivianne stepped in between them. "Now is not the time to fight."
"Damn this!" Martin growled and stormed out of the hospital.
"Martin!" Sheila called after him, but he didn't stop.
Out in the parking lot, Martin paced in frustration. Sheila followed him and slipped into the car beside him.
"Calm down, Martin," she said softly, placing a hand on his arm.
"How the hell am I supposed to calm down?"
"I'm not your enemy right now. I'm here for you. Okay?" she whispered, her voice soothing.
He just nodded slowly, jaw still clenched. Sheila leaned in and hugged him.
He didn't pull away.