I Died on the Day of Fireworks

My wife, Aspen Harrod, was the richest person in this city, but I was just a lowly househusband. To celebrate her birthday, I used the two hundred dollars that I had saved for many years to buy her a birthday cake and a red rose. On the way to pick up the cake with my son, Jude Anderson, we ran into a car accident. Jude only suffered minor injuries with my protection, but I was in critical condition. Before I died, Jude gave Aspen three calls. In the first call, Jude cried. He said that I was seriously injured in the car accident, and I was covered in blood. Aspen snorted. “Is that weak-willed man thinking of new ways to get money from me? Sure, I’ll give you ten dollars. It should be enough for fast food.” In the second call, Jude hoarsely said that I was in a coma and had already lost consciousness. “Just send me his death certificate, and I’ll sign it!” Aspen yelled furiously. The hospital had issued a notice of critical condition for me, and they insisted that we immediately paid for the surgical bills. Jude called Aspen for the third time, but Aspen had already blocked us. Jude wiped the tears from his face and ran home with all his might. He wanted to use the few hundred dollars that he had saved in his piggy bank to buy me anesthesia. However, he realized that his piggy bank was empty. It was because one day after school, he had bought ice cream with his savings. Aspen claimed that he did not know how to manage his own money and took away his savings. I died, and Aspen’s first love, Greg Smith, sent a message. In the video, Aspen had rented out a whole private club. Under some fireworks, she took some cream from a tiered cake that was worth more than two hundred thousand dollars and smeared it on Greg’s face. She looked at him lovingly. “Darling, let me have a taste of you!” Jude clenched his fists and said, “Dad, I’ll make them pay!” Chapter 1 Before I died, my son, Jude, begged the medical staff, “Doctors, my mother is Aspen Harrod. She’s the biggest shareholder of this hospital. We’re very rich, so we’ll definitely pay for my father’s surgical bills.” When he saw that the doctors and nurses were not moved, he kept begging, “Aren’t you supposed to be lifesavers? Please save my father!” The medical staff started slapping their own cheeks in apology. “Sorry, we’ve just received instructions from Ms. Harrod. Unless you pay for the surgical fees on your own, we can’t treat you. Whoever that treats you will have to bear the full treatment cost and leave the hospital. “Even though we’re doctors, we still need to earn a living. We can’t lose this job, so I hope you’ll understand.” Jude was only eight years old, but he understood everything. If he continued to pester them, it would no longer be morally right. He slowly stood up and tried to call Aspen again. The call still did not get through. We had come to this hospital because it was the nearest to us, and staff could immediately treat me. Additionally, it was our business, so we did not have to worry about the treatment fee. However, we were wrong. We had underestimated how horrible Aspen could be and overestimated how important we were to her. The medical staff members were worried that we would continue to pester them, so they left my ward. Jude sat next to my bed as he sobbed. “Dad, I’m sorry. I should’ve hidden my piggy bank well. Otherwise, Mom wouldn’t have been able to take my money.” I mustered all my strength to wipe the tears from his cheeks. “It’s alright, Jude. Death is a part of life. I just… don’t want to leave you alone.” Chapter 2 Tears streamed down my cheeks and drenched my pillow. Jude was still so young, and I wanted to see him grow up. My phone vibrated a few times. Aspen’s first love, Greg Smith, had sent me another video. In the video, Aspen lifted a red cloth in her garden and revealed an expensive limited-edition sports car. Everyone gasped when they saw it. “Wow, this car costs over ten million dollars. Ms. Harrod really loves Greg.” “I’m so jealous! It’s finally Greg’s time to shine after waiting for her for so long!” “That’s right! If Peter hadn’t pestered Aspen just because she was rich, why would Aspen have broken up with Greg?” Aspen cleared her throat and expressed her love in front of everyone. “Greg, this is just a small token of my appreciation for you. You’ve waited for me for many years. I love you!” She ran toward him like a shy young woman in love. “Aspen, I’ve always loved you.” They stared at each other lovingly before they kissed fervently. Jude stopped playing the video as his face was filled with rage. “So, she’s only stingy toward us!” Ever since Jude’s birth, I had given up my career and become a househusband to raise him. Aspen looked down on me as a househusband because I did not earn money. Hence, she controlled our expenses tightly. She would only give us an eight-hundred-dollar allowance per month. We had to budget that money for all of our expenses from our meals to buying medication. However, Jude was growing rapidly, and he needed more nutrients. For him to have better food and clothes, I sold my old watches to maintain our lifestyle. Initially, I thought Aspen was frugal because she had grown up poor. Hence, she watched her money like a hawk. However, it was because she did not love us. Jude loosened his fists and carefully tucked the blanket around me. “Dad, I’m going to ask her for money. You need to hold on and wait for me to return!” he urged. After that, Jude dashed out of the door. The moment he stepped out of my ward, the machine immediately showed that my heart rate had flattened. I had died. Maybe I was too worried about Jude. But when I regained consciousness, I realized that I was floating midair and trailing behind Jude as a ghost. Jude ran for a full hour before he reached the private club. Before the grand lobby, a few bodyguards dressed in black tuxes were guarding the place. They saw that Jude was trying to barge in, and they immediately stopped him. “Hey, kid. You can’t go in without an invitation.” Jude panted and begged, “It’s my mother’s birthday party. Please, just let me in!” “Our employer informed us that you and Peter are strictly prohibited from entering!” the bodyguard said coldly. Jude was dumbfounded. However, it was expected. It was a grand celebration focusing on Aspen and her lover. Why would they allow us to appear? Jude pretended to give up. “Oh, is that so? I’ll head back home to wait for her, then.” Suddenly, a cat sprung out from a tree and caught the bodyguard’s attention. Jude saw the opportunity and rushed into the private club. “Stop! Who let you in?” the bodyguard yelled loudly. Jude ran even faster. The next second, he bumped into someone and fell onto the floor. Before he could see who it was, someone slapped him fiercely. “Are you blind?!” he yelled. Chapter 3 “You’re as evil as your shameless father. Don’t you know how to apologize when you bump into someone?” Jude was a polite child. In the past, he would have definitely apologized sincerely. However, when he bumped into Greg, not only was Jude not apologetic, but he was also furious. To Jude, even though Aspen had been stingy and selfish all along, she had always worn a gentle smile on her face and hugged him tenderly. However, ever since Greg appeared, Aspen changed. Her mood swings were horrible, and she would yell at us for no reason. Worse still, Aspen was planning to let me die over Greg. Jude hated Greg for destroying his harmonious family. Gritting his teeth, he pointed at Greg. “Don’t talk about my dad like that! “You’re the homewrecker and the shameless one!” After that, Greg kicked Jude in the chest. He flew backward and landed on the floor with great force. I wanted to carry him, but I could not hold him. Greg was still angry. He walked forward and dragged Jude out toward a tree. Then, he sat on Jude and kept punching him. “Stop! “Don’t hit my son!” I wanted to push Greg aside, but I no longer had a physical body. My efforts amounted to nothing. I hovered over Jude while wishing that I could shield him from harm. However, what could I do as a dead person? “Everything that belongs to you will be mine after you and your father die, you jerk! “I’ve waited for so many years, and the day has finally come! “Your useless dad is already half-dead. Let me help you reunite with him so that you’ll keep each other company. Then, you won’t be alone in hell!” Jude tried to struggle, but after numerous hits from Greg, he lost his strength and started to lose consciousness. Even so, he continued to mutter, “I have to hold on. I can’t die. “I haven’t gotten the money. My dad’s waiting for me!” I felt excruciating pain, and my whole frame trembled. I did not want Jude to save me. All I wanted was for him to be alive and well! Just when Jude was about to lose consciousness, I heard footsteps. Greg stopped his attack vigilantly. “Greg… “Greg, are you there?” Aspen noticed that there was no response, so she quickly walked over. Greg quickly stood up. “Aspen, why are you here? “It’s too dark over here, and you’re wearing heels. Be careful. Just stay there, and don’t move. I’ll be there soon. “If you fall, I’ll be really upset.” Aspen was delighted by his words. She smiled and swayed shyly. Jude was struggling to speak. “Mommy… Mommy…” His voice was very soft, but Aspen could hear it in the silence. “Jude, is that you?” she asked in surprise. “Mommy, it’s me. Please, come and save—” The bodyguards were very sharp. They rushed over the moment Aspen appeared. One of them crouched down and quickly covered Jude’s mouth to stop him from making any sound. Seeing this, Greg spoke with a sad expression. “Aspen, didn’t you agree that tonight you’d be mine and mine only? “Now that your son’s here, aren’t you going to leave me?” A tear trickled down his cheek. “That’s right, you’re a family. I’ll go!” Chapter 4 Aspen immediately hugged him and apologized coyly, “Greg, it’s my fault. I’ll ignore him, alright?” Greg regained his confidence and said, “You know, when Jude rushed in earlier and knocked me over, he didn’t say sorry. He even said that I was… a homewrecker!” Aspen immediately became furious. “How did Peter raise Jude? “I need to teach him a lesson today!” After that, she charged forward in anger. However, Aspen was stunned when she saw Jude, who was lying motionlessly on the ground. She crouched down. “Jude, what’s wrong?” Before Jude could say anything, Greg quickly said, “He was fighting with me earlier! Why is he pretending to be weak now? “Tsk, what a great actor. Did Peter teach you that?” In the dark, Aspen could not tell how serious Jude’s injuries were. However, when she heard my name, she immediately retracted her hand. She coldly asked, “Jude, did your father tell you to act this way to get my money?” Jude had suffered many blows to his face and body, and he was in extreme pain. He tried to hold back his tears but sobbed. “Mom, Dad’s gotten into a car accident. The doctor said he’s suffering from internal bleeding and in need of surgery. He might not live past tonight without it! “Dad spent all his money buying you a birthday cake and a rose. Mom, please, give me some money so that I can save Dad!” Greg snorted. “I’ve underestimated you. You’re only eight years old, but you’re already lying so well! “Didn’t Peter go to your family’s hospital? Wouldn’t those doctors treat him? “I bet you’re just here to scam Aspen out of her money!” Aspen’s gaze grew colder, and she took out a bank card from her bag. “There’s a million dollars in this card. I could give you the money, but from today onward, you’d no longer be my son. “Make your choice!” Jude did not hesitate even in the slightest. “I want the money!” “Great, I gave birth to an ingrate. Get out!” Aspen stood up angrily and threw the bank card at Jude. It slashed against his cheek and left a red mark. “From today onward, you’re no longer my son!” After that, she left with Greg. Jude picked up the bank card with pursed lips. He did not make a sound. He stumbled to the main road and hailed a cab. The cab driver yelled as he got out of the car, “Rascal, do you have a death wish?!” Jude collapsed onto the ground. “Sir, please send me to Wellness Hospital! “My father’s still in the hospital, and he’s waiting for me to pay his bills!” The driver saw the bruises on his face and felt sorry for him. “Quick, get in. I’ll send you there now.” “Thank you, sir. I’m sure your good deed won’t go unrewarded.” Jude had just entered the hospital when Aspen released a statement that she had cut Jude off. From that day onward, Jude would no longer be her son. Everyone liked the post. [Ms. Harrod is smart and decisive. It’s better not to keep such an ungrateful son!] [Has she cut both of them off? Serves them right!] [Is Ms. Harrod planning to marry Greg? I’m going to cry. Finally, the star-crossed lovers are reunited!] [Congratulations to Ms. Harrod and Greg!] Right then, Greg hugged Aspen tightly, and his fingers lingered on her waist. “Baby, I’ll treat you better than they did. I’ll make you the happiest woman alive!” “Darling, what’s mine will be yours,” she murmured. Greg was extremely excited. He threw her onto the hotel bed and pressed himself against her… Chapter 5 A black car stopped before Wellness Hospital’s entrance. Jude thanked the driver again as he stumbled inside. Before he could get far, he had to lean against a pillar to catch his breath. He had just been brutally attacked, and he had not eaten a thing for the entire day. His legs felt weak, and his vision was spotty. “I can’t waste any more time here. Dad’s waiting for me!” He slapped his bruised forehead, and the immense pain helped him to regain some consciousness. He could see more clearly, so he started stumbling in my direction again. After a while, he tripped over something and fell onto the floor. He tried to pull himself up but failed. Jude slammed his fist against the floor again and again in frustration, and he finally started sobbing. “What should I do? What should I do? “Dad, you have to hold on. Mom no longer wants me. If I lose you too, I… I don’t want to live anymore. “But it hurts. It hurts all over. Dad, I wish you could come and hug me….” Jude sobbed violently. I wanted to hug him and take away his pain. I wanted to tell him to stop crying and that I would be by his side in a different way. However, I could not do anything. I was frustrated and angry! Why did I try to celebrate the birthday of a woman who did not love me? Not only did I lose my life, but I also caused Jude to end up like this. Tears streamed down my cheeks and fell onto Jude’s face. Jude seemed to feel something. He extended his hands and lightly caressed my cheeks. “Dad, are you here?” I held his hands as I lingered. “Jude, I’m here. I’m always here. “Jude, be good. If you’re tired, you can rest.” He suddenly realized something as the blood drained from his face. “Dad, you can’t die! You have to wait for me!” Somehow, he found strength to stand up and stumbled toward my ward. “Dad, I’m here!” Jude yelled. The next second, the light in his eyes dimmed. He went to my bedside and held my cold hand as he sobbed. “Dad, am I too late? Is that why you’ve left? Don’t you want me anymore? “Can I go with you? You have to slow down. Otherwise, I can’t catch up with you…” After he said that, he shut his eyes. The next morning, the doctors were making their rounds. One of the doctors accidentally opened the door to my ward. When he saw the flatline on the screen and two of us lying motionlessly there, he exclaimed, “Oh, no! A patient has died here!” The head nurse quickly called Aspen. “Ms. Harrod, your husband has died!” On the other end of the phone, Aspen was stretching as she asked Greg, “Do you think Jude has started to regret it?” Greg just said, “Hmph, just tell him if he’s apologizing through a phone call, I won’t forgive him. “I’ll only forgive him if he appears before me and begs me for forgiveness!” “Greg, I know you’re too kind to say that. I’ll tell him personally.” Aspen snatched the phone. “Jude, it’s not impossible to gain my forgiveness—” “Ms. Harrod, bad news! Mr. Anderson has died. Jude’s also…”