Chapter 2

"Sarah, come to the city hospital."

I said, tightly gripping my hands to hold back the anger in my heart.

Sarah was choked by my cold voice, then exploded in anger.

"Jack, are you sick? Not having a good meeting, but monitoring me instead?"

She's at the hospital too?

"Downstairs in the emergency room. Emily is seriously injured and wants to see you."

"Heh, Jack, you really are sick. You'd make up any lie to keep me from accompanying Ethan. He has no mother and is autistic. Now that he's sick, if I don't stay with him, he'll be scared. Can't you be more generous?"

Sarah's continued outburst made me look towards the emergency room, feeling sad for my Emily.

Ever since Mark brought Ethan back to the country three years ago, my daughter had lost her mother's love.

And our marriage had reached a freezing point.

To prevent Emily from growing up in a single-parent family, I endured the frustration in my heart and played the role of a good husband.

Even so, I still couldn't win back Sarah's heart.

Sarah was originally my secretary. After repeated collaborations, I developed different feelings for her.

After I confessed to her, she looked surprised.

I thought she would refuse me, but unexpectedly she walked straight to my side and nestled into my arms.

"I like you too."

After getting together, she didn't want to hear the company employees gossiping, so she quit her job to stay at home.

At first, we lived very happily and comfortably, and soon had Emily.

I thought I was the happiest man in the world.

Successful career, beautiful wife, adorable daughter - a perfect life.

But all this disappeared the moment Mark returned to the country.

Only endless arguments remained.

"I'm not coming home tonight, I need to stay at the hospital to take care of Ethan..."

"Enough! Today is Emily's birthday. You only have eyes for Ethan. What about my Emily?"

Hearing her words of concern for Ethan, my rationality completely disappeared.

She worried Ethan would be scared, but didn't think about how terrified Emily would be after being abandoned.

But Sarah's next words further confirmed my intention to divorce.

"Doesn't Emily have you? She's just a little girl, how delicate can she be?"

Hearing the call disconnect, I raised my phone high in anger: "Fuck!"

Just as I was about to throw it down, the emergency room door opened.

The doctor appeared before me looking exhausted, wearing a blood-stained surgical gown.

His heavy expression made my heart tremble.

With a choked voice, I begged.

"Doctor, no matter how expensive the medicine is, I can afford it. Please don't give up!"

"The child has multiple organ failure. Besides the external injuries, the internal ones are worse. Only one rib is still connected, and she had brain swelling when brought in..."

"I'm sorry, my condolences."

The doctor patted my shoulder in comfort, letting me go see Emily one last time.

I don't know how I walked to Emily's side.

The wounds on her face had been sutured by the doctor, but she was so swollen I couldn't recognize the little girl from this morning.

"Emily, are you mad at Daddy for being late, so you're pretending to sleep? Wake up quickly, or I'll tickle you..."

"Emily, my baby, please wake up. Daddy is begging you. It's Daddy's fault for handing you over to her."

"Does it hurt a lot? Daddy will blow on it. Wake up and blow out the candles..."

"Emily, my Emily..."

Sorrowful cries echoed through the room. The nurse stood to the side wiping tears, not disturbing me.

I sat like this holding Emily's dislocated hand until evening.

Only when the doctor forcibly sent Emily to the morgue were we separated.