The payback of Jeremy Xavier

10

Jeremy woke up, squinting against the bright lights. His whole body ached, and a steady beep sounded nearby. As he tried to sit up, a nurse gently pushed him back down. She smiled warmly and adjusted his IV line.

“Take it easy,” she said. “You had a rough night.”

Jeremy rubbed his forehead, struggling to remember. “What... happened?”

“You got into a fight,” she explained, her eyes sympathetic. “A woman stepped in and stopped it from getting worse. She’s the one who brought you here.”

“A woman?” Jeremy repeated, confused.

The nurse nodded. “She seemed really worried about you.”

As she spoke, memories came flooding back. Just yesterday, his world had fallen apart: he had caught his wife, Hailey, cheating. To make it worse, she was pregnant—and not by him. He’d lost his job and his dignity, and his long-lost mother had suddenly shown up, claiming him as her son. It was too much for one day.

Then he remembered the woman who had helped him last night. He wished he could at least than