He rushed into the kitchen and froze.

Lauren stood at the stove holding their feverish son with one arm while stirring soup with the other. Dirty dishes filled the sink. Medicine bottles covered the counter.

Meanwhile his mother scrolled through her phone.

His sister laughed at TikTok videos like nothing was wrong.

“How long has Noah been sick?” Ethan asked quietly.

“Since Tuesday,” Lauren whispered, exhausted.

Ethan slowly looked at his mother.

“And you’ve both been sitting here this whole time?”

His sister rolled her eyes.
“She likes doing everything herself.”

The room went silent.

Something inside Ethan snapped.

“Get out.”

His mother stood up in shock.
“I am your mother.”

Ethan stepped in front of Lauren protectively while Noah coughed weakly against his chest.

“And she is my wife.”

Then he opened the front door himself.

“I should’ve defended her a long time ago.”

The door slammed.

Lauren stared at him in disbelief as tears finally broke down her face.

Ethan gently took Noah into his arms and kissed his forehead.

“I’m home now.”

Part 2 in the comments.