Chapter 3

Suddenly, I found myself dazed. My thoughts dragged me back five years.

"Nora, I'll get the best photographer, buy you the most beautiful wedding dress, and let everyone witness our happiness."

When I said this, Nora cried uncontrollably.

She hugged me, saying, "I do."

But I never fulfilled my promise to her.

Now someone else could make her happy, and I watched her with anxiety. The pain and bitterness made me not want to listen anymore.

But she said nothing, pushing Finn's hand away, speaking calmly:

"Let's reschedule the wedding photos. It doesn't have to be today."

"Nora, what do you mean?"

"I need to keep this brat alive. Theo has to pay for what he did to me."

She didn't give Finn a chance to speak, immediately closing the car door.

Outside the emergency room, the doctor angrily said, "This child not only has asthma but is severely malnourished. How do you take care of her as a parent?"

"I'm not her parent," Nora replied, awkwardly.

"Not her parent? Then get the parent here."

A nearby nurse interjected compassionately, "I've seen this child around, often picking up bottles in the area. She seems like an orphan."

A child, only seven years old, living alone.

After paying for the medical bills, Nora returned to the ward. Hazel was out of danger.

Seeing Hazel's heartbeat stabilize, Nora finally relaxed. She noticed the IV needle in Hazel's malnourished arm, which was indeed pale.

Nora scoffed, "Theo, you really are heartless. You'd rather abandon your child than face me."

"I'll see who can endure more."

I floated helplessly, a bitter smile on my face.

Nora, you got it all wrong.

A Seven-Year-Old Living Alone

After settling the medical bills, Nora returned to the hospital room, feeling relieved that Hazel was out of danger.

Seeing Hazel’s heartbeat stabilize, Nora finally felt at ease.

She accidentally noticed the IV in Hazel's arm, which showed signs of malnutrition with a bruise.

Nora scoffed coldly.

"Theo, you really are heartless. You abandon your own child just to avoid seeing me."

"Let's see who can endure this longer, you or me."

I drifted with no strength, a bitter smile forming at the corner of my lips.

Nora, you misunderstood.

It's not that I don't want to see you. On the contrary, I miss you so intensely, it's maddening.

But sadly, my journey ends here. I can only be with you for so long.

For the time that followed, Nora stayed by Hazel’s side, not daring to leave for fear of missing my secret appearances.

On her way back from fetching water, a shadow slipped out of the ward.

Just as she attempted to follow, the person had already entered the elevator.

Nora quickly grabbed a passing nurse to ask.

The nurse said, "The visitor was a young woman, asking mainly about the child’s condition. From her tone, she seemed like a relative."

A young woman?

Nora immediately suspected that the woman was the one I had an affair with back then.

Seeing Hazel sleeping soundly on the bed, she angrily tossed the hot porridge into the trash.

Even though the porridge stained her designer dress, she didn't care, her eyes filled with hatred.

"Well done, Theo. You love her so much, yet neglect your own daughter, allowing that shameless woman to step in."

"You love her, but treat me like a plague."

I watched as her eyes reddened, a tear falling heavily to the ground.

I approached, wanting to gently wipe away her tears, but then overwhelming hatred overflowed from her eyes.

"Theo, I will not let you go!"

"I won't forget the humiliation you’ve put me through. The pain I endured because of you will be returned a thousandfold."

"I want you to regret it. I want you to live in pain, never finding peace!"

I'm just a lingering soul.

But the dull pain in my heart is no less than when I was alive.

But Nora, I'm already dead...