Chapter 4

What truly pushed Julian over the edge was a medical report Helena obtained: Mason had been preliminarily diagnosed with "suspected acute viral myocarditis," carrying an imminent risk of heart failure.

This diagnosis was like a curse, completely locking Julian down in her web.

He started pulling all-nighters guarding Helena’s house and the hospital, treating Mason like a fragile glass doll ready to shatter at any second.

What he didn't know was that Ethan’s asthma had taken a terrifying turn for the worse during this rainy late autumn.

To secure Ethan an appointment with the state’s top pediatric pulmonologist, I had finally managed to grab a follow-up slot with Dr. Allen.

It was Ethan's golden opportunity to switch to an advanced controller medication.

On Friday morning, I rushed Ethan to the town medical center.

Yet when I slid my appointment slip across the front desk, the nurse shook her head apologetically. "Ma'am, Ethan’s specialist slot was canceled yesterday afternoon."

My brain short-circuited. "Canceled? That’s impossible—I booked it myself."

The nurse pulled up the system records.

"It was changed directly over the phone by the child's father, Mr. Julian. He transferred the emergency fast-track specialist slot to a boy named Mason Charles. Patient Mason has already been admitted by Dr. Allen."

In that split second, an icy jolt of dread surged from the soles of my feet straight to my skull.

I slammed open the door to the specialist's consultation room.

Inside, Julian was cradling Mason with agonizing care while Helena sobbed quietly in the corner.

Dr. Allen was leaning over Mason with his stethoscope.

"Julian!" My voice trembled violently with pure rage. "How could you cancel Ethan’s life-saving appointment? Do you have any idea his asthma could flare up at any moment? It could kill him!"

Julian flinched, a flicker of panic crossing his face.

He pulled Mason closer and hissed in a lowered, furious whisper, "Keep your voice down, Laura! Don't scare Mason. He has myocarditis! Myocarditis can kill him at any second! Dr. Allen isn't just a pulmonologist—he’s the state’s best pediatric cardiac emergency specialist!"

"Mason's life matters, but Ethan's life is worthless?"

My eyes burned as I pointed at Ethan, who was barely able to stand.

"Ethan has been coughing so hard all night he can't even sleep!"

Julian’s eyes held zero compromise.

"Ethan just has his chronic condition, a few puffs of albuterol and he'll bounce back. But Mason is different—he can’t wait."

"Laura, I’m Ethan’s dad, but I’m also a man with a moral compass. I can’t just stand by and watch a fragile young life slip away before my eyes!"

"Ethan, be a good boy."

Julian turned to his deathly pale son.

"Didn't you say Daddy is a superhero? Well, Daddy is helping this little kid right now. Skipping one doctor's visit won't kill you, but Mason needs this chance."

Standing beside me, Ethan stared at the father who used to hold him like a treasured pearl, now sheltering another child like he was made of crystal.

He had no energy left to argue, nor did he know what else to say to his father.

Over the past year and more, he had already grown used to being abandoned.

In the end, with no other choice, my little boy lost this hard-won chance.

We had no choice but to keep waiting.

That very evening, the town was struck by a once-in-a-decade, ultra-powerful hurricane.

Ethan still walked out into the pitch-black backyard and buried the thirty-second token.

I didn't stop him.

Only one token remained in the lacquered tin box.

That night, a massive town-wide blackout hit.

As the oxygen-support machine abruptly cut out, Ethan suddenly went into violent spasms in his bedroom, his complexion shifting from pale to purple in a fraction of a second!