The Moment of No Return

A quarter of an hour later, the doctor burst in.

We all stepped back, holding our breath, eyes wide with fear as the doctor rushed to save our boy.

However, Brian had already slipped away. His skin was a map of red welts, his little body barely twitching then—it was a bad sign.

I stood there, numb.

My lack of reaction drew sharp whispers from onlookers.

"Joyce, your son's fighting for his life, and you're just standing there?"

"Are you even his mother?"

Before I could muster a word, James was there, shielding me. "Sorry, Joyce is just in shock. She loves Brian more than anyone. Let's not do this now."

He shot me a look meant to comfort me, the same way he always had my back.

The doctor worked furiously, but time was not on our side. Brian's pupils were blown, the heart monitor flat.

The doctor let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head defeatedly. "I'm sorry, we've done all we can."

My mother-in-law's cry tore through the room as she begged, "There's got to be something more, doctor. Please, save our Brian!

"Brian, come back to us! Just open your eyes, look at me—I can't face this world without you."

My mother-in-law's tears flowed like rivers of sorrow, and James was shell-shocked by the news, frozen in place.

He shook his head, trying to shake off the disbelief. "No... this can't be happening. Brian's just a toddler, only three. It's just an allergy. He's got to pull through, right?"

James's eyes, brimming with tears, searched the faces around him for a glimmer of hope.

Someone looked away, the scene too painful to witness.

The doctor finished packing up the emergency gear and offered a gentle word. "Sir, try to find some peace."

Who could have imagined a birthday celebration turning into a wake?

My mother-in-law's heart raced as she realized it was because I had discarded the medicine.

She held her grandson's lifeless body close, her face contorted with rage as she screamed at me, "Joyce! This is on you, you're to blame for Brian's death!

"Why would you toss out his meds? Why?"

Her glare was piercing.

The crowd's eyes on me were filled with judgment.

"Yeah, that was the medicine that could've saved him."

"If Joyce had just gotten the medicine out sooner, Brian might still be here."

"The worst part is she threw it away. What kind of mother isn't frantic when her child's in danger? This isn't a game, it feels like cold-blooded murder!"

Accusations swirled around me.

James stepped in front of me again. "Enough. Joyce... Joyce had her reasons.

"The medicine was past its prime."

James tried to defend me, his hand in mine, forcing a smile that was more pained-looking than any tears.

"Honey, I know how much you adored Brian, and you're hurting too. This isn't on you."

However, the doctor's presence cast doubt on James's defense.

The doctor, with a furrowed brow, corrected him. "'Expired' just means it's less potent, not that it's unusable. If there's any doubt, I can get it tested..."

"Doctor!"

James's voice suddenly spiked, but he quickly regained his composure to explain, "My wife doesn't know much about meds, so it's totally normal for her to be confused.

"Plus, the meds got mixed with booze. Who in their right mind would give that to a toddler? What if it made things even worse?

"Joyce didn't have any other choice."

James's defense was strong.

As I watched the skeptical looks fade away, I blurted, "The meds weren't expired. I threw them out on purpose."