Peter burst through the airport crowd, heart racing as he caught sight of Bennie and Brian approaching the terminal gate. His voice cracked as he shouted, "Ben– Ben…. , wait!"
She turned, startled. For a second, her eyes softened—but only for a second.
"Peter," she whispered, clutching her passport. Her cheeks were stained with tears, her lips trembling.
He rushed to her and grabbed her wrist gently. "Don't do this. Anna needs you. She's not talking. She won't even look at me. Please, Bennie."
Bennie shook her head, a sob breaking free. "What do you mean what's happening?"
"The Doctor said she's experiencing PTSD and needs you alongside therapy to heal. Ben please she's only two. Just stay a few more years Ben I beg of you" he said while holding both her hands in his.
"She'll be fine. You'll be fine. You always are and will always be."
"Ben not now please. Think of your baby for once"
" She's been the only thing I've taught about till now, don't make me out as a bad mother."
"Just let her see you then. You said you'd come."
She turned to Brian, "I'll be quick okay?"
Brian stepped between them, towering and unflinching. "That's enough."
Peter tried to push past him, but Brian raised a hand, signaling two black-suited guards. "Hold him."
"You can't go Ben, we have a meeting to be at in the next few hours and we have a flight to catch . I'm sorry."
Ben cried as she watched them hold Peter.
The guards restrained Peter as he struggled, shouting Bennie's name. She hesitated, her hand over her mouth, eyes fixed on Peter for one last moment before she turned and walked through the gate. Her sobs echoed faintly as she disappeared from sight.
Peter slumped to his knees, tears flooding his face. The guards released him and backed away. All strength left his body as he sat, hollow and still.
Back at the hospital, Peter sat beside Anna's bed. Her small frame lay unmoving, her eyes wide but empty. The machines beeped steadily, indifferent to the devastation around them.
He reached for her hand and spoke softly. "Remember the day you were born? You didn't cry. The nurse said you were just... peaceful. Like you already knew the world."
Anna didn't blink. Didn't move.
Peter lowered his head, forehead pressed to her hand.
Desmond and Sandra entered quietly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "She needs her mother."
Peter didn't reply.
Across town, chaos erupted inside Ashley's home. Glass shattered as Ashley's father, reeking of whiskey, screamed and hit her mother. Mary's little daughter of two was in her arms and Chris, her younger brother screamed in terror.
Mary rushed for her phone as she rushed for her phone and she called the ambulance. Blood streamed from their mother's head as they tried to keep her conscious.
"Mother.. Mother stay with me! We need you." Their father thought she was dead and stormed out running.
Ashley was in the middle of class when her phone buzzed repeatedly. Seeing Mary's name, she asked for permission and stepped out.
"Ashley! Mom's hurt! Dad hit her badly! They took her to the City Hospital!"
She dropped the phone. Her heart pounded as she grabbed her bag and ran from the school.
At the hospital, Ashley arrived breathless. Mary ran into her arms.
"Where is she?"
"ICU. But they won't do more unless we pay something."
Ashley approached the nurse. "Please. My mom needs help. We don't have much, but I can get it."
The nurse shook her head. "We need at least half the emergency fee to proceed further."
Ashley pulled out her wallet—only $58.
She tried calling every relative she knew. Voicemails. Rejections. Excuses.
Outside the ICU, she saw another young woman crying with a baby in her lap. The image broke her. She sat down beside her siblings, hands trembling.
"I'll find a way," she whispered.
Peter left yet another voicemail. "Anna's not eating. Not talking. Bennie, please... for her. Come home."
He ended the call and stared blankly at the wall. Chloe stood silently by the door, watching.
He tried calling her again but he had been blocked.
Ashley wandered the halls, searching. She turned a corner and saw Peter outside the pediatric wing.
Her heart skipped. "Mr. Peter?"
He looked up, eyes puffy and tired.
"You're the one who saved my little Anna right. What are you doing here?"
She swallowed hard. "My mom's in surgery. My dad... hurt her bad. It's a long story. They need money. I didn't know who else to ask. I... I just need a little help."
Peter stared at her, broken. "I don't have much myself but I owe you Anna's life."
A pause. Then, he pulled a few bills from his jacket and handed them to her. "It's not much. But maybe it can help."
Ashley took it with tears in her eyes. "Thank you."
Ashley returned to the front desk and paid. Her mother was taken into surgery.
Her siblings were calmer. Ashley sat beside them and whispered, "I'll fix this. I promise."
She left to buy food from a nearby stall. As she exited the hospital, her boyfriend Daniel came running.
"Hey I'm so sorry I'm late. How are you doing? How's your mom?"
"She's out of danger for now. I just came out to buy some food." She responded.
"I'll buy it and go back in."
He bought the food and brought it in for them.
Daniel and Ashley had been dating for a while now. He was a tall guy with good shoulders but they weren't very broad. He was a simple guy.
Ashley saw Daniel out after a while. And on her way back she by passed Annie who had just been
discharged. Chloe carried Annie and Peter carried her bags.
That was when Peter knew he had a revenge to take care of.