Chapter 3

The hospital refused to draw that much blood, so Chloe took Lily to an underground clinic.

When those people heard Lily had RH-negative blood, their eyes lit up.

When Chloe wasn’t around, they drew Lily’s blood without restraint.

Tiny, pale, she lay on the cold operating table, letting these people drain her body.

She was already fragile from past injuries and couldn’t endure this kind of ordeal.

I wanted to beg them to let Lily go, but no one could see me.

Watching my daughter slowly lose her life, I regretted it. How I wished I could appear.

Lily wouldn't have to suffer this.

Those people, wanting a continuous supply of blood, forced her to eat many supplements. If Lily couldn't eat, they shoved it down her throat.

My daughter had needles in both arms, treated like a human blood bank, constantly exploited.

Finally, Chloe Miller returned.

She glanced at Lily, eyes closed on the bed. A flicker of pain crossed her face, then vanished. “Your dad is truly heartless and selfish, still refusing to show up even now.”

“He supposedly loved you so much? Looks like he couldn’t keep up the act anymore. He abandoned you over such a small thing.”

“Indeed, he’s as despicable as he was five years ago.”

Lily opened her eyes, tears rolling down her temples. “Daddy is a good daddy. You’re not allowed to say that about him.”

Chloe frowned, disbelievingly.

Then she heard Lily continue, “Daddy already died on the snowy mountain.”

“Dead? Why haven’t I seen a body?” Chloe rubbed her temples. “Using even that excuse to avoid giving Julian blood.”

Chloe would never believe me.

Our marriage was an endless cycle of deception and struggle.

No matter how well I did, in her heart, I would always be that animal who drugged her with such vile tactics just to get her.

My daughter tried to reach out and tug at her sleeve.

But she was too weak, unable to even lift her hand.

Chloe bent down and took a picture of Lily’s face.

To force me to appear.

Chloe: *[See? She's like this now. Are you still going to hide like a coward?]*

Chloe: *[Or do you simply not care whether Lily lives or dies?]*

Chloe: *[I’ll give you one day. If you still don’t come out, we’re getting a divorce.]*

“Mommy, why are you doing this? Daddy won’t appear again.”

Chloe gritted her teeth.

She glared at Lily. “How is that possible? Bad pennies always turn up. How could someone like him possibly die?”

“I even sent him your picture. If he still stands by and does nothing, he doesn’t deserve to be your father!”

Lily gave a bitter smile. “He’ll always be the best dad!”

I stood numbly by Lily’s bedside.

Even a soul’s heart can ache.

Even a soul can feel the suffocating inability to breathe.

Lily, I’m so sorry.

“Stop with the dramatics. Just get him to show up. Julian can’t wait much longer.”

“Mommy, why won’t you believe me? Your eyes, Daddy gave them to you!”