pte

ec

nt words pierced my

erable, his thoughts still lingered o

early taken a toll-after just two senten

ul's words too. He grasped m

y to him and tried

today was just an accident. Mom acted on her own, and our son

y arms as I walked toward the hospital exit. "Right now, he's infat

"And I'm the one who for

sistance was boun

ll guide him back-make sure he und

I can let today slide as an acciden

, I stoppe

tired, instinctively too

I promise

leeping soundly in Pet

.

d home, Peter

mber, I decided not to wake him

standing by the passenger door,

ed the child in one arm and ex

d up, s

ll, striking figure, his chiseled featur

tly. "Mrs. Andre

king his hand as I stepped

r carefully laid

with warm water and car

out the towel, and began wiping

-even as we dressed him in hi

ccasional groan to e

smile before tossing the towel back into the basin.

ted by the bed

ation we had would barely last two civil sentences before he'd snap at me wi

ethe

ed me up in his arms. Instinctively, I wrapped my arms around his

ff the light before shutting

as he asked, "What did we agree

the hospital visit

erward-that, I rememb

in my arms, I had genuinel

t had already begun tormenting my child,

out after t

still have

child, this family

ead. As for what happened before we went

me a

sed the bedroom door, cupped my face in his large hands,

uiet of the night, carrie

is throat, teasing as h

ing to mes

atisfaction. "Oh dear, seem

my reflecti

like a waterfall over t

his kisses, glowed wit

obbed. "Then let me

.

ical fatigue from the sleeples

clearly requiring careful attention. I had no choice but to

as soft and easily digestible, I took extra care by using an earthenware pot. First, I

vegetable market, picking up some greens and meat before returning home. With practiced efficiency, I wash

stir-fried greens a

bout to call them to the tab

ut in irritation. "I told you," he huffed, "I don't wan

got sick and had to go to the hospital, you sh

s excuse, believing that as long as he used his grandmother as a

p you off at Grandma's, only for her to ta

l f

familiar with situations li

won't be taking you to

, he shot bac

d firm. "Because

Paul burst into tears, his voice breaking.

ld I carried f

painstakin

d him with junk food and ruined his health,

of hurt twist

nt his frustration. He glanced around, his chubby little hands grabbing the

ras

ass scattere

d the

wasn't just a glass he shattered-it

is own mother for the sake

proceeded to smash everything

room-along with his son still hurling objects in a frenzy-his

He dashed over and clutched at Peter sleeve, his small face

e hope. "Please, please divorce

s tumbling out in a rush. "I want us to be a f