Chapter 4

"Today, I’m here, and no one—no one—will slander my daughter!"

I clutched the urn tightly to my chest, my hands trembling.

David’s eyes narrowed as he noticed my protective grip and the faint outline of the Elsa doll taped to the urn. His gaze locked onto it, and a triumphant grin spread across his face.

“Monica, look! That’s the doll!” he shouted.

Monica’s expression shifted to one of smug satisfaction. Her voice was icy as she declared, “Caught red-handed. And you still want to deny it?”

With that, she lunged forward, reaching for the urn.

Instinctively, I pulled it closer to me, cradling it as if it were my daughter herself. To them, though, this act of desperation only made me look more guilty.

Monica let out a derisive snort and, with David’s help, grabbed at my hands, prying my fingers away from the urn.

“Stop it! Don’t touch it!” I shouted, trying desperately to hold on.

But against their combined strength, I couldn’t win.

With a loud crash, the urn fell to the ground, shattering on impact.

Ashes scattered everywhere.

I dropped to my knees, frantic and heartbroken, trying to gather what was left.

“Ugh! What the hell is this? It’s so disgusting!” David recoiled, covering his nose in exaggerated disgust.

Monica turned to me, her face twisted in anger and disbelief. “Noah Carter, are you insane? What is this mess? Did you plan this because you knew David is allergic to dust? Were you trying to sabotage him?”

She waved at the security guards. “Get rid of this filth. Flush it down the toilet!”

Her voice became background noise as I ignored her, crawling on the floor like a man possessed, trying to scoop up my daughter’s ashes with trembling hands.

“Stop! Don’t touch her!” I screamed, my voice ragged and desperate.

The guards, perhaps fearing I’d cause a scene, restrained me, pinning my shoulders to the ground. I thrashed against their hold, but I was powerless to stop them.

I could only watch helplessly as they swept up Emily’s ashes like trash, preparing to dispose of them.

I failed you, Emily. I couldn’t protect you while you were alive, and now, I can’t even shield you in death.

The pain was too much to bear. My chest tightened, and blood surged up my throat. With a wrenching cough, I spat it out, staining the floor red.

“Noah!” Monica’s voice broke into a shriek as she stepped back in alarm. She waved frantically at the guards to release me.

I barely registered her panic. Weak and trembling, I crawled toward the scattered ashes, my body too broken to stand.

David watched me with a sneer, his lips curling as if he were about to say something cruel. But before he could, his phone rang.

He answered with his usual air of confidence, but his face fell almost immediately.

The voice on the other end was loud enough for me to hear:

“Mr. Lee, I’m sorry to inform you that the heart transplant surgery for Sophie has been canceled. The donor’s family has withdrawn their consent.”

“What?!” David shouted, his voice tight with panic.

The hospital director’s voice was grim. “The donor’s condition was a perfect match, but the family changed their mind at the last minute. Sophie’s condition is critical—if we delay any longer, her chances of survival will drop significantly.”