Chapter 1

My daughter's life was hanging by a thread.

I knelt on the ground, clutching at my husband Lucas's pant leg.

But he shielded his first love beside him, looking down at me with cold eyes.

"She just lost a bit of blood. Winona's been traumatized because of Sweetie—her situation is more urgent."

Later, he personally blocked every way out, letting our child grow cold bit by bit.

I signed the divorce papers with a smile and disappeared without a trace.

Three years later, he searched the entire city, red-eyed as he cornered me outside my newly opened gallery.

"Vivian, I was wrong. Our daughter..."

I wrapped my arm around my new boyfriend's and interrupted him casually.

"Mr. Lucas."

"That child died the day you chose to save someone else."

The day my daughter participated in the dance competition hosted by Lucas Corporation, the stage collapsed.

I held my blood-covered daughter and begged Lucas to take us to the hospital.

But he coldly stepped past me, turning instead to help up Winona Sullivan, who had only minor scrapes, along with her crying daughter.

"Vivian, you know Winona has a heart condition. Sweetie's been traumatized too. If we don't get them to the hospital and her condition flares up, it could be life or death."

I felt my daughter's warm blood soaking through, and enormous fear made my voice tremble.

"Natalie's bleeding so much. Please look at her! Your daughter is seriously injured."

Lucas glanced at our daughter, hesitated for only a second, then frowned.

"Lucas Corporation's medical team will be here any minute. Natalie probably just has surface wounds. You stay here with her—I'll take Winona to the hospital."

Lucas left with his arm around Winona and her daughter.

All my strength drained away in an instant.

My daughter's face was deathly pale in my arms. I held her, not daring to move.

"Quick, Assistant, please help me get Natalie to the hospital."

Assistant looked at me expressionlessly.

"Mrs. Natalie, Mr. Lucas instructed that since the situation happened suddenly, it needs to be handled properly. We can't have any negative press. The others aren't seriously injured—only Miss Natalie lost some blood. There's no need to alert the hospital."

"No need to alert the hospital?"

My hands were shaking.

"Can't you see Natalie's covered in blood? She's already unconscious! This is Lucas's child. If something happens to her, can you take responsibility?"

Assistant glanced at Natalie once, then turned away to calmly direct staff members to evacuate and comfort the other participants.

I forced myself to stay calm.

After laying Natalie down, I frantically searched for my phone with shaking hands.

I'd just pressed 9-1-1 when Assistant snatched the phone away.

"Mrs. Natalie, Mr. Lucas instructed us not to alert the hospital."

Tears fell uncontrollably. My blood-covered hands desperately clutched at Assistant's pant leg.

"Give me back my phone. Natalie's unconscious—I'm begging you, look at her! Lucas won't blame you. This is his daughter."

Assistant hesitated for a second, but still refused coldly.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Natalie. I'll urge the medical team to hurry."

I cried out desperately.

"I don't want the medical team! I need to take my daughter to the hospital! Please, I'm begging you—take my daughter to the hospital!"

A staff member ran over after hearing my cries. Seeing Natalie's injuries, they instinctively moved to help, but Assistant stopped them with a single look.

I knelt beside my daughter.

"Please, someone call 9-1-1. My daughter really can't hold on."

Parents and children who'd come for the competition looked over. Some wanted to help, but Lucas Corporation staff quickly ushered them away.

Soon, only Lucas Corporation employees remained in the venue—plus me and my blood-soaked daughter.

No one would help me.

I could only rely on myself.

I picked up my daughter, letting fresh blood drip onto the floor as I tried to rush outside, but Lucas Corporation workers blocked my way.

"Assistant, Mrs. Natalie is trying to take Miss Natalie to the hospital."

Assistant forcibly took my daughter from my arms.

I screamed with every fiber of my being.

"Don't touch my daughter!"

But no one cared what I said.

Two security guards came forward and grabbed my arms.

Assistant gave cold orders.

"Take Mrs. Natalie and Miss Natalie to the break room."