Deadly Father's Day

On Father's Day, my son rushed home from school, his heart set on buying his dad a Father's Day gift with the money he saved from New Year.

But our world turned upside down—he had a car crash. By the time I got to the hospital, he was already fighting for his life in the ER.

The doctor said the only physician who could pull off this surgery was Dr. James Parker, a legend in the medical world.

That's my husband, James.

I hit up his cell, but got his old flame instead.

"James is tied up. Everything cool?"

Pushing past the shock, I blurted, "Our boy's been in a wreck and needs surgery, stat. Get him to the First Affiliated, pronto!"

James finally picked up. "Really? If you're that bored, go hit the dance floor or something. Cut the crap."

Click—he hung up.

I tried again, but now his phone was dead.

That day, I lost my son forever.

————

"This kid's situation is critical. No one but Dr. Parker can handle this," the doctor said, panic written all over his face. "We can't reach him directly. Didn't you say he's your husband? Get him here ASAP! The kid's got maybe two hours, tops!"

Two hours?

I froze, my hand mid-dial, shaking all over, and managed, "Doc, please do whatever you can. He'll be here."

Even if I promised James would be here, I was not quite certain.

There I was, parked in the hospital corridor, dialing James over and over, but all I got was the cold shoulder of a dead line.

Desperate, I rang up James's assistant, begging for his whereabouts.

It seemed he sensed me being torn between anxiety and panic.

After a beat, he texted me a location.

Without a second thought, I bolted there.

It was a vet clinic.

There he was, James, comforting Olivia, his arms around her, a world of worry on his face.

The moment he saw me, his warmth evaporated, replaced by a chill.

"Emma, seriously? You followed me here?" He stood up, irritation plain as day.

In fear of delaying anything, I cut to the chase, "Our son's been in an accident, he's critical. They said you're the only one who can save him. We need to go, now!"

I reached for him, but he recoiled as if I'd shocked him, staying silent.

Olivia gave me a patronizing look.

"Emma, I know you're not my biggest fan, but dragging your son into this to snag James? That's low."

Dragging my son into this?

James's frown deepened at these words.

He snapped, "Done with your drama? Then leave. Don't embarrass yourself further."

It was clear he wasn't buying it.

"I'm dead serious! He bought you a gift right after school for Father's Day, but then the accident happened. He's in ICU now, hanging by a thread! See for yourself if you don't believe me!"

Desperation was creeping into my voice and scream.

James shot back, "So you're pinning this on me for not being there? I can't step out right now. Drop it."

His eyes grew colder with every word.

Before I could make another plea, Olivia chimed in softly, "I had my son out for a stroll when a car without plate hit him and broke his leg. I was alone and freaked out, so I called James. If that bugs you, I'm sorry."

"But what mother jokes about her son's life?"

Here, her son was her pet dog, named Spooky.

I lost it, "Do you think I'm joking?"

"James..."

At my outburst, Olivia burst into tears and buried herself in James's arms.

His arms around her shoulders, James glared at me, fury in his eyes. "Emma, enough already. Can't you see Spooky is injured and Olivia in pain? How can you be so heartless and screaming at her?"

I struggled to rein in my anger, took a deep breath, and spoke softly, "Say what you want about me, but our son's life is on the line."

I swallowed my pride, my voice earnest, "Please, let's go save our son. I'm begging you."

It was the first time I ever begged James like that.

He seemed to soften a bit, and to listened to what I said.

"James, my boy's losing blood fast and they can't do the surgery here."

Olivia glanced at her bleeding dog, her eyes welling up.

That instantly tensed James, panic written all over his face.

"Don't worry, nothing's gonna happen to him. We'll head to my clinic and I'll save him myself."

As he said, he braced the dog and went to his car with Olivia.

I grabbed James's arm, desperation in my voice, "Please, no more delays, our son..."

James hesitated, then urgency took over.

"James, hurry up, my boy's on his last leg!" Olivia pushed him.

Pride aside, I knelt, tears streaming, pleading, "If we wait any longer, our son will die. Please, come with me to save our son!"

Olivia jumped in, "My dog just got hit, and now you say your son too? What are the odds? Emma, my dog was badly hurt. Don't try to pull James away like this. Can't you show a shred of decency? His leg might be toast soon!"

James shook off my hand, icy as ever. "There's a limit to this nonsense. Even if you're green with envy, don't make a scene. You're not only dragging me down, but also Alex. What kind of mother does that make you?"

With that, he jumped into the car with Olivia and the dog, and peeled out.

Then, the hospital called.

"Ms. Parker, come down to see your son one last time..."

I tore to the hospital, but by the time I arrived, my son was already gone.

I held him and cried until I was out of tears.

Three days later, I handled the funeral arrangements myself. Despite watching him get cremated, I couldn't accept it.

I couldn't understand.

The happy kid who was just buzzing about giving his dad a surprise...

How did he turn to ashes?

He was such a good, smart boy. Why him? Why this end to him?

It's tearing me apart.

Holding my son's urn, I wiped it with my sleeve.

Flashes of our time together came back.

And my tears followed.

The heart-piercing pain continued to spread with the tears.

Then, James, who disappeared for three days, called. "Today's our son's tenth birthday, and my mom's throwing a big bash at the old place. She allows you come with Alex, but dress sharp—don't embarrass me or my boy."

Staring at my son's urn, I wiped my tears and replied coldly, "I'll bring my son."