Benjamin stood frozen, a statue of despair.

That day, he had bought a large bouquet of roses to celebrate Sylvia’s discharge from the hospital. He never imagined that, just a wall away, his wife was taking her final breath.

He crouched down and sobbed uncontrollably, like a lost child who had just realized his home was gone. I watched his tears with cold detachment, feeling nothing inside.

After what seemed like an eternity, Benjamin finally stumbled home in a daze. Since my hospitalization, the front door of our house had remained unopened.

For the first time in ages, Benjamin returned to the house. Ever since Sylvia’s hospitalization, he had practically...