Julian paced back and forth in front of the hospital room, his eyes fixed on the door as if willing to open and reveal good news.
Mattie's parents, Tonia and Zach, stood beside him, their faces etched with worry.
Tonia's eyes flashed with anger, her voice trembling. "This is all your fault, Julian. If my daughter hadn't loved you so much, she wouldn't be lying there fighting for her life."
Julian's eyes dropped, his shoulders slumping under the weight of guilt.
"Aunty, please... I—"
But Tonia wouldn't let him finish. She strode toward him, her hands clenched into fists. "You're the reason she's in there! You and your recklessness!"
She struck Julian's chest, her blows raining down on him. Julian didn't defend himself, accepting the punishment as if it was his due.
"Her marriage got ruined because of the little devil, still you are choosing her over my daughter?"
"I am sorry Aunty," he apologized, but she yelled at him.
