"And if I refuse? What then? Will you hit me? Divorce me?"
He froze.
The question had never crossed his mind.
But Beth was already on her feet, livid.
"She's obviously hidden it with her family! Search the place!"
Seven, eight people tore through the house, ripping open drawers and overturning boxes. Even Rosemary, asleep in bed, woke with a start.
She burst into tears.
"Mommy, I'm scared!"
My mother rushed toward her, arms outstretched.
Then Beth's hand shot out.
She shoved my mother—hard.
"Check her! She's probably hiding it!"
Mom stumbled. Her feet couldn't find purchase.
Crack.
She hit the floor. Blood pooled beneath her head.
"Mom!"
I kicked free of Abner's grip and dropped to my knees beside her.
She was unconscious. Unresponsive.
"You—" My voice shook, raw with fury. "You murderers!"
Everyone went still.
No one had expected this.
Abner stepped forward, but Beth yanked him back.
My father had gone white, his lips trembling.
"H-hospital... we need to... hospital..."
I fumbled for my phone, fingers shaking as I dialed 120.
Beth snatched it from my hand.
"No calls! Not until you hand over that ticket!"
"My mother is dying!" I screamed. "And you're still thinking about money?"
Abner's expression twisted with something that might have been guilt. He opened his mouth—
One look from Beth, and he swallowed whatever he'd been about to say.
She planted her hands on her hips, unmoved.
"You want to save your mother? Then give us the ticket. Every second you waste is on you."
Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't stop them.
"Abner." My voice cracked. "Please. Just take her to the hospital. I'll—I'll split the ticket with you. Fifty-fifty."
I had to keep something. Without it, I couldn't afford to save her.
Beth still wouldn't budge.
"Words are cheap. Ticket first."
Whatever warmth remained in my heart turned to ice.
I looked at Abner, searching for something—anything.
"Abner, how can you be this heartless?"
He couldn't meet my eyes. His face twisted with something that might have been guilt—if he'd been capable of it.
"Just... give Mom the ticket first," he mumbled.
I laughed. A bitter, broken sound.
This was the man I'd chosen.
My hand trembled as I pointed to my purse.
"Behind our photo..."
My mother-in-law snatched it up, ripping out the family portrait—me, Abner, and Rosemary, smiling like we meant it. She tossed the photo on the ground without a second glance.