after being

6

When I heard him agree, I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, everything went black, and I passed out.

At the hospital, they rushed me into surgery.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital bed.

Cole sat beside me, his eyes filled with worry and anxiety.

and

The first thing I said was, “You didn’t tell Mom and Dad, did you? I don’t want them to worry. I can handle this on my own, we’re not together anymore.”

His eyes flickered at my words.

Then, I heard my mother–in–law’s angry voice.

“How could you keep something as big as a divorce from us? Were we not good to you? Even if you’re divorced, you’re still the mother of my grandson. Don’t we have the right to care about you? It’s bad enough you didn’t tell us about the divorce, but now you almost lost your life.

“No wonder you’ve barely come home or called us these past few years.”

My parents–in–law appeared before me, their faces overflowing with concern.

I froze at their words.

Not call?

But she had rejected my call earlier.

Suddenly, I remembered I gave Cole the second phone card during the divorce.

The number I used to call my mother–in–law today was from my new phone, and she probably thought it was a scam call, so she

12:22

blocked it.

Guilt welled up inside me.

I regretted making them worry because of my selfishness over

the past few years.

Just then, Cole’s phone, rang.

He glanced at the screen, his brow instantly furrowing.

Since I was closest to him, I heard the police saying Reval requested to see him.

Cole refused.

“We won’t settle. She must pay the price.

“When my ex–wife is discharged, we’ll see her in court,” he said. He hung up angrily.

When his eyes fell on the wounds on my body, they turned red. Before I could say anything, he left the room.

I thought he might have some lingering feelings for Reva and wanted to talk to her.

But just an hour later, Cole returned to the room.

Our son was behind him.

As soon as our son entered, he ran to my bedside, trying to climb

onto me.

My mother–in–law was startled.

She quickly pulled him back.

“Your mom is sick. Don’t move around like that,” she said.

My son pouted, tears welling up in his eyes.

In a small voice, he said, “It’s my fault. If only there wasn’t a parent–teacher meeting at school today…

12:22

“Don’t worry, Mom. I already taught those people who said bad things a lesson.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his innocent words.

I turned to say something nice to ease the tension, but when I looked at Cole, he was silent.

My heart sank with worry.

I was about to comfort him when Cole spoke first. “I’ll go home and cook for you.”

My mother–in–law grabbed his arm.

“Your dad’s already cooking. You should focus on your work. I’ll take care of Hilda,” she said.

I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination.

Since we reunited, Cole had been avoiding eye contact with me.

He suddenly looked at me.

His eyes were full of guilt and remorse.

Seeing that broke my heart. I forced a smile. “It’s okay. I’ll be out of the hospital in a few days. Don’t worry.”

It was true that our marriage didn’t work out.

But there was no doubt that Cole was a responsible father and husband.

He had always been protecting our son and me well.

Now that I got hurt because of him, he probably couldn’t handle the guilt.

Without a word, he turned and left the room, taking our son with him.

After he left, I talked with my mother–in–law for a long time.

She said she had come to terms with everything.

Marriage wasn’t always the best way for two people to get along.

Health and happiness were what mattered.

She reminded me how, before I graduated, Cole had brought me home. Now that I’d given the family a healthy grandson, she was satisfied.

Whether I stayed single or found someone new, she had no objections.

Looking at her tired eyes and the wrinkles on her face, I felt a pang of sadness.

She gently touched the thick bandages on my forehead.

She spoke softly. “Why don’t you stay with us from now on? There’s no one to take care of you out there.”

I tried to sit up to thank her, but the pain in my body was so intense it felt like I was being torn apart.

She quickly stopped me.

“The doctor said you have a mild concussion. Don’t move,” she said.

Lying back down, I caught my breath and met her gaze.

We shared a smile, the weight on my heart finally lifting now that my secret was out.

Suddenly, a stone shattered the glass window, causing a loud crash.

My mother–in–law gasped, her breath quickening as if she were attacked by her illness.