Chapter 4

Lily was still kneeling, crying into her doll.

My mother saw her and began to tremble with rage.

"So this is Aubrey's bastard?"

Lily flinched, shrinking back and hugging her rag doll tighter.

"Grandma." she timidly began.

"Don't you dare call me that!" My mother stepped forward and pushed her. "We don't have trash like you in this family!"

Lily fell hard to the ground, hitting her head on the corner of the coffee table. Blood instantly gushed out.

"No! Mom! Lily isn't a bastard!" I frantically rushed to stand in front of Lily, my fingers trembling with fear and rage, but no one could see me.

Julian moved to help Lily up.

"Don't you dare touch her!" My mother pointed at Julian.

"Why did you bring this little mongrel, born to Aubrey and God knows who, back here?!"

I watched helplessly as my daughter's blood stained the floor.

I wanted to hold her, to wipe away her blood, but I couldn't do anything.

How I wished I were still alive, so I could protect my Lily.

"Mama..." Lily cried, crawling up, blood streaming from her forehead into her eyes. "Lily hurts so bad..."

"Good, I hope it kills you!" My mother sneered.

"Your mother was a whore who made adult films, a junkie so far gone she was barely human! You're no good either!"

"My mommy isn't a bad person!" Lily suddenly cried out loudly. "Mama is a hero!"

"A hero?" My mother laughed in disbelief. "A junkie who stripped for money - does she deserve to be called a hero?"

She turned to Julian.

"Two choices. You send her to an orphanage, or I die on this spot. Your move."

Sophia quickly stepped forward to support my mother, who was swaying precariously.

"Mom, please don't get agitated. Your health is important."

"How can I not be agitated?" My mother clutched her chest.

"Aubrey, that wretched woman, has brought nothing but shame to our Hayes family! And now she expects us to raise her bastard child? Dream on!"

Julian stood rooted to the spot, his face grim.

He looked at Lily, whose face was covered in blood, then at his trembling, enraged mother.

"I'll contact the orphanage," he said, closing his eyes, his voice weary. "I'll send her there once I finish the case I'm on."

"No." Lily cried, crawling to Julian's feet.

"I'll be good, I don't want anything, I just want to find Mommy."

"Your mother abandoned you long ago!" Julian kicked her aside. "Stop talking nonsense!"

Just then, Julian's phone rang.

"Dr. Vance, we have a break in The Riverbend Dismemberment Case! A complete red suitcase was found at the scene. We need you here, now!"

Julian hung up, glancing at Lily, who was sprawled on the floor.

"She's coming with me."

"Julian," Sophia softly began. "Why not leave the child here?"

"Take care of my mother," Julian said, looking at Sophia.

My mother scoffed. "Better if she dies in a place like that. Saves me the trouble of seeing her."

Sophia helped my mother sit down, gently soothing her. "Mom, don't be angry. I'll get you some water."

I clearly saw a subtle curve on Sophia's lips as she turned to the kitchen.

I knew she had deliberately told my mother, but I couldn't expose her hypocritical face. I could only watch helplessly as Julian picked Lily up like a rag doll and tossed her into the car.

The car raced into the night. Lily huddled in the back, the cut on her forehead crusted over. She hugged her rag doll, murmuring soft, broken words.

"Mama, I found him, but he doesn't believe me."

"Mama, I’m so scared."

"Mama, are you cold in the suitcase? Please come get me..."

An agony I could no longer feel twisted deep inside me. I could only press closer, a silent prayer for warmth I couldn't give.

I'm so sorry, Lily.

I failed you.

I couldn't even secure your future.