I had been gone for five days, but nothing prepared me for what I saw when I opened the door: my wife juggling dinner and our sick toddler, while my mother and sister sat nearby on their phones. – Full Article

She turned in surprise. Relief flickered across her face for a split second before exhaustion buried it again.

“Since Tuesday night,” she answered quietly. “Fever, coughing, barely sleeping.”

Ethan looked at his mother and sister. “And both of you have been here this whole time?”

Patricia barely glanced up. “We came to keep Lauren company.”

Melissa pulled out one earbud. “What?”

Lauren lowered her gaze while Noah coughed weakly against her shoulder.

Ethan slowly set down his suitcase. “Keep her company?”

Patricia sighed dramatically. “Don’t start, Ethan. We helped.”

“With what?” His tone sharpened instantly.

Patricia lifted her chin. “I watched Noah yesterday while Lauren showered.”

Lauren gripped the spoon tighter.

Melissa rolled her eyes. “It’s not our fault she insists on doing everything herself.”

Something inside Ethan snapped.