He worked hard to maintain his image as a devoted husband.
Finally, he took my hand and asked if I was feeling better.
This time I didn’t snap back. I simply said, “I’m fine.”
“Nurses, doctors, please take good care of my mommy! I’m begging you. If it weren’t for me, she wouldn’t be suffering like this.” Lily cried.
“What a thoughtful child. If only I had a kid like you.”
“So sensible. Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll do our best.”
I reached out my hand to Lily.
“Come here, Lily.”
“You said you’d do anything to help Mommy recover, even give me your legs, right?” I looked at her.
Lily blinked, confused, but still nodded. “Yes, Mommy. If it helps you get better, I’ll do anything.”
“Good.” I pointed to the window. “Then jump from there. Break your legs, and we’ll switch.”
Everyone’s faces changed instantly, including the doctors and nurses.
“This woman is insane! What did the child do wrong?”
“Exactly. It was the kidnappers, not the child.”
“Parents who take their anger out on children don’t deserve to be parents.”
But Lily was already running toward the window. She understood what I meant.
Ethan grabbed her just in time.
“What are you doing? Don’t jump!” he shouted at me angrily.
“Are you still making a scene? Are you insane? You want the child to pay with her life? Shouldn’t you pay for Sarah’s death instead?”
“What did the child do wrong?”
I ignored him and stared at Lily.
“Lily, you’re only eight. You’re my daughter, and already so calculating. Why didn’t you pick a quiet place to jump? You knew these people wouldn’t let you. You’re too scheming.”
My words made Lily explode.
She struggled desperately, crying out, “Daddy, let me jump! It’s my fault Mommy ended up like this. It’s all my fault. Let me jump. I was born from her. I’ll give these legs back to her.”
“Enough!” Ethan sealed the window shut.
“What do you want, Emily? Will you only stop when you drive our child to death?” he roared.
“That’s right, Emily, this is too much.”
A graceful figure appeared. I looked closely—it was Sarah’s younger sister, Sophie White.
Sophie rushed forward, hugging Lily.
“This poor child.”
“Emily, my sister may have died because of you, but I never asked you to pay with your life. I know accidents happen. I can’t blame you entirely for not giving her the emergency parking spot.”
“By the same logic, you can’t blame Lily for what happened to you. She’s just a child. You should blame the kidnappers.”