“Nora, I know it’s hard to accept your dad’s death.”
“How about this—when Buddy is discharged in two days, we’ll hold a ‘Recognition Banquet’ so you can formally treat him as family!”
Ethan clapped first, grinning.
“Great idea!”
“I’ve never seen someone recognize a dog as their father—I have to witness this!”
“Me too! I’ll bring a gift for the dog’s new daughter!”
“Dr. Hayes, amazing! Transplanting a human heart into a dog—that’s a breakthrough that could break species barriers. You should publish in Nature!”
As ridiculous as it was, Ethan actually took it seriously.
“I’ll write a report tomorrow and submit it to the hospital!”
Looking at his smug grin, I almost laughed.
“You’d better bury your father first before rushing off to be a dog’s son!”
Seeing that I wasn’t as angry as he’d expected, Ethan froze.
“What… what do you mean?”
Before I could answer, Chloe grabbed his arm.
“What else could she mean? She’s just jealous you treat me so well—acting like some petty schoolgirl!”
Ethan’s face darkened.
“Nora, aren’t you too old to still be this childish and jealous?”
“Go home and get ready. On your dad’s burial day, we’ll hold that recognition banquet!”
“That way, your dad can watch you recognize your new ‘dog dad’ and rest in peace!”
“This is a divorce agreement…”
My words were drowned out by their laughter. Ethan didn’t even glance at the papers—he tore them up and flung the pieces in my face.
Ethan, when you learn the truth, I hope you rot in hell.
He wouldn’t even claim his father’s body. I hadn’t wanted to interfere either.
But the hospital kept calling, insisting someone come to the morgue to collect it.
Two days later, Mr. Hayes’s corpse was unrecognizable—already decomposing.
“Ms. Lane, Dr. Hayes instructed us that even though he’s a relative, he can’t take up public resources.”
I looked around—the morgue clearly had empty freezers.
“Dr. Hayes told us to shut them off for energy saving.”
I shook with rage. He was so sure the body was my father’s that he deliberately desecrated it.
My father, Dr. Lane, had been a renowned cardiac specialist and had given Ethan countless resources and mentorship.
Without my dad’s connections, Ethan never would have become head of surgery at such a young age.
And yet, instead of gratitude, he behaved like a heartless ingrate.
Despite the stench burning my nose, I couldn’t bear to leave Mr. Hayes like that.