THE CARELESS MOTHER

CONTINUATION

THE CARELESS MOTHER

Chapter Three: The Price of Sacrifice

Long before dawn, James walked through the silent streets in search of work. The rain had stopped, but the roads were still muddy, and the cold wind bit through his worn clothes.

He reached a busy construction site where dozens of men had gathered, hoping to be hired for the day.

The foreman looked at the crowd.

"I need only five strong men."

James stepped forward.

"I'll do any work you have."

The foreman nodded. "Can you carry cement blocks to the third floor?"

"Yes, sir."

Without another word, James joined the laborers. From sunrise until afternoon, he carried heavy loads up unfinished staircases. Sweat soaked his shirt, and every muscle in his body screamed in pain, but one thought kept him moving.

"Horry must stay in school."

Back at home, Ada was preparing to leave again.

Horry stood by the door.

"Mother, Father hasn't come home. Aren't you worried?"

Ada adjusted her headscarf and sighed impatiently.

"Your father knows how to take care of himself."

"But he hasn't eaten."

"He'll be fine."

She walked away without looking back.

Horry watched her disappear down the road. A painful question echoed in his mind.

"Why doesn't Mother care?"

As evening approached, a loud knock came at the door.

Horry rushed to open it.

Two men stood outside, supporting James between them. His clothes were covered in dust, and blood trickled down his forehead.

"Father!" Horry cried.

The men carefully helped James onto a wooden bed.

"One of the scaffold boards broke," one of them explained. "He fell while carrying cement. We brought him home as quickly as we could."

Horry fetched water and gently cleaned the wound on his father's head.

James forced a weak smile.

"I'm all right."

"No, Father," Horry said, tears filling his eyes. "You're hurt."

James reached for his son's hand.

"I couldn't earn the full day's pay..."

He slowly opened his fist.

Inside were a few crumpled notes.

"It isn't much," he whispered. "But it's the beginning of your examination fee."

Horry could no longer hold back his tears.

"You risked your life... for me."

James smiled faintly.

"A father's greatest joy is seeing his child succeed."

Just then, Ada returned home.

She looked at James lying on the bed.

"What happened now?"

"I fell at work," James answered quietly.

Ada shrugged.

"You should have been more careful."

Without offering help or even asking how badly he was injured, she went into her room.

The silence that followed was heavier than any storm.

Late that night, while James slept, Horry sat beside him, holding the small bundle of money.

He made a silent vow.

"No matter how hard life becomes, I will never forget Father's love. One day, I will repay every sacrifice he has made for me."

Outside, hidden in the darkness, a stranger stood watching the house.

The mysterious man smiled and whispered,

"So... this is the boy called Horry."

Then he disappeared into the night.

End of Chapter Three.