Chapter 2 - The Hospital Visit
I knocked gently on my mother's bedroom door, my heart aching with guilt.
"Mom? It's me," I whispered softly.
The door creaked open, revealing my mother sitting on the edge of her bed.
She was holding a damp towel against her chest, shivering despite the warmth of the room.
"Is she gone, David?" my mother asked, her voice trembling with fear.
"She's gone, Mom," I promised, kneeling on the floor in front of her.
"Let me see the burn."
She slowly lowered the towel, and I felt a surge of pure, unadulterated anger.
The skin on her upper chest and collarbone was angry red, blistering rapidly.
It was much worse than I had initially thought.
"We are going to the hospital right now," I declared, standing up and grabbing her coat.
"Oh, David, it's fine, we don't need to make a fuss," she pleaded.
"It is not fine, Evelyn," I said firmly, using her first name to show how serious I was.
"That needs medical attention immediately."
I helped her into my car and broke several speed limits driving to the emergency room.
The triage nurse took one look at the blistering skin and rushed us into an examination room.
A young doctor walked in a few minutes later, his expression turning grim as he examined the wound.
"These are second-degree burns," the doctor stated, looking between me and my mother.
"How exactly did this happen?"
My mother looked down at her lap, too ashamed to speak the truth.
"My wife threw a mug of boiling tea directly at her," I answered for her, my voice hard.
The doctor paused, his pen freezing over his medical chart.
"I see," he said quietly.
"In cases of domestic violence, especially involving the elderly, I am required by law to document everything thoroughly."
"Do you want me to contact the police?"
I looked at my mother, who was shaking her head frantically.
"Not today, Doctor," I replied smoothly.
"But please, take photos and document it in her official medical file."
"I will be needing those records for my lawyers."
The doctor nodded approvingly and called in a nurse to dress the burns.
As they carefully applied soothing ointment and bandages, I held my mother's fragile hand.
She had sacrificed her entire life for my happiness, and I had unknowingly brought a monster into her sanctuary.
"I am so sorry, Mom," I whispered, fighting back tears.
She squeezed my hand gently.
"It wasn't your fault, my brave boy."
I looked out the hospital window, my mind racing with plans.
May you like
Rebecca thought this was over.
She had absolutely no idea the storm that was coming for her.
