Chapter 2

"But there's something I absolutely must mention."

As she spoke, tears even began to well up in her eyes.

"Emma is Lily's stepmother. Lily has been abused by her since she was little. I'm just an old woman—I want to stop it but I'm powerless."

"With no other choice, I secretly sent the child to her birth mother."

Hearing her words, a deep sense of helplessness spread through my entire body.

Catherine did this every time. On April Fool's Day, no matter the occasion, she had to deceive people.

I remembered the April Fool's Day when Lily had just turned one. She lied and told me Lily was having an asthma attack and wasn't going to make it.

When I got that call, I felt like I'd lost my soul. I drove home desperately.

But in my panic, I got into a car accident on the way.

A long, hideous scar remained on my left arm.

Looking at me in the hospital bed, Catherine just said dismissively:

"April Fool's Day is for playing jokes. Who knew you'd be stupid enough to believe it?"

"Besides, the car accident was your own fault for not watching the road."

So every year, especially on April Fool's Day, I kept Lily as far away from her as possible.

But this morning when we were leaving, Catherine had clung desperately to the car door and climbed in.

I told myself that as long as I kept a careful eye on her, nothing serious would happen.

I never imagined that the moment we got out of the car, this would happen.

After hearing everything, the police moved to take me away for questioning.

"Child abuse is a serious crime. You need to come with us to the station!"

The crowd's spit practically flew in my face.

"Disgusting! Not her own child, so she doesn't know how to care for her. What a monster!"

"Take her away right now! People like her need to spend a few days in jail to learn their lesson!"

Just as I was about to be dragged away, my scalp felt like it would explode with panic.

Thinking of Lily unable to find her family, feeling helpless and alone. Thinking of Lily having an asthma attack, only able to collapse on the ground struggling for breath.

My heart felt like it was being stabbed.

Tears streamed down my face as I looked at Catherine's fake-serious expression.

I wanted nothing more than to rip her lying mouth apart.

I fought to control my emotions.

"Officer, I can guarantee Lily is truly my biological daughter. No matter what, please help me find Lily first!"

"I can provide all the necessary evidence afterward!"

After hearing this, Catherine rushed between the police and me, grabbing my sleeve and yanking it up.

"Officer, don't let her fool you! She just wants to continue abusing Lily."

"Look at this scar on her arm. I got this years ago fighting with her to protect Lily."

When this horrifying scar was revealed, everyone gasped.

The officer's face hardened as he shouted sternly.

"What is really going on here! If you two keep lying, we'll take you both in for questioning!"

I stared daggers at Catherine, my eyes practically shooting flames.

"This scar is from the car accident I had because of your lies! You're an old woman fighting with me—you come out fine while I get injured like this? Is that even possible?"

"Officer, please believe me. If any problems arise afterward, I'll take full responsibility."

Considering the child's safety and the urgency of finding her, the officer nodded and prepared to take us to search in different directions.

Catherine kept chattering, trying to continue her interference.

"Your police work really isn't that competent if you can't even tell who's telling the truth!"

But no one paid attention. Our group got in the car, leaving her behind.

The police took me to the surveillance room as quickly as possible.

But when we watched the footage of the moment Lily disappeared, everyone's eyes widened.