Chapter 1

My mom and I came home from our walk, only to find the living room pitch dark.

It looked like John Williams had gone out again.

I sighed and called him.

"Honey, it's Christmas Eve tonight. You don't have to work overtime today, of all days. Remember to come home for dinner!"

I'd specially prepared his favorite seafood, just waiting for the whole family to celebrate together.

But John replied in a rushed tone.

"Alice, my cousin came today. I need to spend the night with her."

"She's all alone in this unfamiliar place with no one to keep her company. Besides, you still have your mom with you!"

I was about to respond when I suddenly heard my mom's broken cries for help from the balcony.

"Alice... help me..."

I had to drop my phone and rush over.

A screeching cat was cowering in the corner of the balcony, while my mom lay on the floor holding her leg, struggling to breathe.

She was severely allergic to cat fur, and her asthma had flared up again.

I quickly searched for the inhaler at home and handed it to her.

But her symptoms didn't improve at all.

I struggled to get my mom to the garage, only to find that neither of our cars was in its spot!

I panicked. I had no choice but to take my mom to the street to hail a cab.

But it was Christmas Eve, the streets were packed with people, and there was a long line for taxis, too.

I waited in the cold wind for several minutes, but no taxi came.

My mom's condition couldn't wait any longer.

I had no choice but to rush into the middle of the road and use my own body to stop cars.

After being cursed at as crazy, finally, a passerby stopped and was willing to give us a ride.

Traffic was terrible, and the driver ran several red lights for us.

In my anxiety, I called John.

"John, where did that cat come from? It triggered my mom's asthma!"

"I can't handle this alone. Can you come to the hospital with me?"

John's tone showed a moment of panic.

"I locked the cat on the balcony! Who told your mom to go there?"

"I need to stay with my cousin right now. I can't leave. Figure it out yourself!"

He hung up, leaving me stunned and bewildered.

Before we got married, John had sworn to God that he would take care of me and treat my parents well.

But now, for his cousin, he couldn't even come to the hospital to give me a hand.

The car finally made it to the hospital after much difficulty. I got a wheelchair and rushed my mom to the emergency room.

The doctor arranged for her to be taken to the emergency treatment room. It was chaos.

Watching my unconscious mother, I felt so guilty.

I was always so careful in daily life, so how did I still let my mother suffer like this?

After more than an hour, my mother was finally wheeled out.

The doctor said her condition had stabilized for now.

I let out a deep breath.

A cold wind blew past.

Goosebumps covered my body, and I realized that in this freezing weather, I'd rushed out in just a shirt.

I wanted to ask John to bring me a coat, but remembering his attitude on the phone earlier, I hesitated.

In the end, I decided to go out and buy some clothes myself to make do.

But as soon as I left the emergency area and passed through the hospital lobby, I saw that all-too-familiar figure.