Revenge for My Son's Death

On the day of Gavin's entrance examination, my husband, Ethan Harrington, finally put aside his work to drive our son to the university. But halfway there, a sudden, urgent call pulled Ethan away, leaving us stranded. Desperation mounting, we ran to the university, arriving too late. Gavin, heartbroken, suffered a severe asthma attack and landed in the ICU.

If only Ethan had stayed. If only he had spared just one hour for our son.

In a panic, I called Ethan. To my shock, a female voice answered, her voice dripping with disdain. "Ethan is busy. What do you want?"

Fighting back tears, I uttered, "Our son is in the ICU. We need him."

Ethan's voice, cold and dismissive, cut through. "Is this another one of your stories? I'm tired of your lies." Then he hung up.

I tried again, but his phone was off.

That day, I lost my son forever.

***

"The patient's condition is extremely critical. Didn't you mention there's a special apparatus you use for him? Do you have it now?" The attending doctor walked out of the ICU, his face lined with worry.

"The patient's asthma has triggered heart failure. If he doesn't receive medication within two hours, he'll be beyond help!"

Only two hours. My face drained of color as the gravity of the situation hit me. The apparatus was a cutting-edge technology developed by my husband's company, Nexus Dynamics. It was still in trial phases, spearheaded by Ethan to break into the medical market. Despite being in stage five trials, our son, Gavin, was already using it because Ethan was convinced of its efficacy. Now, in Gavin's hour of dire need, I couldn't even reach my husband to bring it to the hospital.

My hand, frozen mid-dial, trembled as I nodded frantically at the doctor. "Please, do everything you can to stabilize him. I will get the apparatus as soon as possible!"

I said "as soon as possible," but panic overwhelmed me, and I could barely stand. I collapsed onto a chair in the hallway, dialing Ethan's number over and over again, but all I heard was the robotic message that his phone was turned off. Desperation rising, I called Ethan's assistant, Daniel Moore, pleading for help to deliver the apparatus.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Daniel replied, his voice strained. "Only Sir Ethan has the authority to access the laboratory since he is our CEO. No one else, not even I, can get in without him."

Time was running out. With no other option, I begged Daniel to tell me Ethan's location. "Please, my son really needs it! Please! Just... Just tell me where my husband is if you can't bring the apparatus yourself." Sensing my desperation, Daniel hesitated but finally gave in. He directed me to a nearby pet hospital.

Right then and there, I ran, my mind racing. Through the glass door, I saw Ethan, sitting on a sofa and cradling Bella, his childhood sweetheart. His face, so full of love and tenderness for her, twisted into cold indifference the moment he saw me.

"Lila, are you serious? You followed me here?" He stood up, glaring at me as if my presence alone was an affront.

But I didn't care about anything else, so I didn’t waste a second. "Gavin is having a severe asthma attack. His condition is critical, and only the apparatus can save him! So, please... We need to get it from the lab and bring it to the hospital now."

I reached out to him, but he recoiled in disgust. Meanwhile, Bella, still in his arms, glanced at me with disdain. "Lila, I know you don't like me, but there's no need to talk ill about your son just to trick Ethan away from me!"

Talk ill about Gavin?

Ethan's frown deepened, his voice icy. "Are you done with these games? Leave now and stop embarrassing yourself."

"I’m not lying!" I shouted, my voice shaking. "Gavin missed his entrance exam and had an acute asthma attack. He's in the ICU. If you don't believe me, come see for yourself!"

"You're just trying to blame me for leaving you two halfway. Can't you give me some space?" Ethan’s eyes narrowed, filled with irritation.

After his hurtful words, Bella chimed in, her tone was both aggrieved and smug. "When I took Snowy out today, a car hit him. I was desperate and called Ethan. I didn’t know he was with you. If you feel wronged, tell me. But asthma? Critical condition? That's too much. How can you joke about your son's life?"

The moment I heard what she had said, my anger boiled over. "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"Ethan..." Bella’s eyes welled with tears as she clung to him.

It was ridiculous. My son was at stake and yet... Ethan held her, his glare at me intensifying. "That's enough! Bella's dog is injured. She's already in pain, and you're making it worse. How can you be so heartless?"

My whole body trembled. I felt like the people in front of me were no longer human in my eyes. How could they act like my son's life was trivial?

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Say what you want about me, but Gavin can't wait. Please, come with me to get the apparatus and save him. I'm begging you!"

For the first time, I saw a flicker of doubt in my husband's eyes. He seemed to waver, making me see a glimmer of hope.

"Ethan, Snowy is bleeding heavily. We need to go to a bigger hospital for surgery!" Bella's voice was urgent, her face tear-streaked.

Upon hearing that, Ethan's expression hardened. "Don't worry, Bella. I'll take care of it." He picked up the dog and headed for the car, with his childhood sweetheart by his side.

The second I saw them leaving, I grabbed his arm and pleaded. "Please, Gavin's apparatus..."

Ethan hesitated, looking torn.

"Ethan, hurry, Snowy is dying!" Bella cried, urging him on.

No... He can't leave. If he did, what about my son? I fell to my knees, my voice breaking. "If we delay any longer, Gavin will die. Please, give me the apparatus, please!"

However, Bella interrupted again, her tone dismissive. "Gavin has always been healthy. How could he suddenly be dying? Snowy is the one in danger. Stop lying to take Ethan away from me."

At that point, Ethan shook my hand off, his eyes cold. "Enough. You're embarrassing both yourself and Gavin. How can he have such a shameless mother?"

Without another word, he got into the car and drove away with Bella and her dog.

And the exact time they left, the hospital called. "Mrs. Harrington, please come see your son for the last time..."

No...

Gavin...

I rushed back, but it was too late. Gavin was gone, his body cold. I held him, crying until no more tears came. I wept and mourned as if a part of me died as well that day.

Two days later, I arranged Gavin's funeral alone, and my heart shattered. Even as I watched his body turn to ashes, I couldn't accept it. Just days ago, he was full of life, determined to ace his entrance exams and get into Stanford. Now, all his dreams were reduced to nothing.

I clutched Gavin's urn, memories of him flooding my mind. Tears welled up as I thought of every moment we shared.

And finally, Ethan, who had been absent for two days, called me. "Today is my mother's birthday party. She wants you to bring Gavin to the villa to celebrate. Dress nicely and don't embarrass me."

I glanced at Gavin's urn, wiped my tears, and replied coldly, "Okay, I will bring Gavin."