The words left me hollow, stripped of even the dignity of anger. All I felt was despair.
When dawn finally broke, everything that had once bound us was nothing more than a heap of gray ash.
My eyes burned red as I rose unsteadily to my feet, my body trembling slightly.
Just then, my phone rang.
“Ma’am,” a cold, professional voice said, “your mom’s hospital payments are overdue. The oxygen mask, medication, and machines have all been suspended. Please settle the fees immediately.”
A dark fog swept over my vision. My voice cracked and was hoarse as I asked, “Didn’t my husband pay yesterday?”
On the other side of the phone came a contemptuous laugh. Then the staff spoke with disdain.
“Ma’am, Sir Bryson is Miss Debbii’s boyfriend. You call him your husband? If that were true, why didn’t he pay on your behalf yesterday? Please don’t insert yourself where you don’t belong. Just come and settle the bill right away. Otherwise, your mom’s life cannot be guaranteed.”
When I heard that, my hand trembled so violently I nearly dropped the phone.
Just as I was about to rush out the door, Bryson appeared at the entrance, his body covered with red marks.