His eyes were red as he knelt at the boarding gate, begging me to come home.
I had thought… maybe he truly would change. I had remembered all his kindness from years past and, foolishly, I’d relented.
And now?
For Sherree, he had rammed my car. He had forbidden me from pressing charges. He had threatened my brother—and he acted like he was in the right.
I stared at those photos, and the world before my eyes became a bottomless abyss.
My daughter lay in the ICU, her fate uncertain. I could not risk losing my brother, too.
It felt as if something tore open inside my chest. My lips trembled. My tears fell in torrents.
“Fine. I won’t sue her.”
Payton’s eyes softened, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Of course. I knew you were the most understanding, Delane,” he said. “When the time comes, we’ll make up for our wedding anniversary with a big celebration, alright?”
He spoke with deep emotion, his gaze burning, as if he truly held me at the very center of his heart.
But my own heart felt nothing—only an icy chill.
I promised Payton not to prosecute only to protect my family and my daughter in the short term.
In Payton's heart, that woman who shared no blood with him was still his only true family.
This time, I would leave him for good.
As for Sherree, she needs to be held accountable for the crimes she committed.
At that moment, I called my best lawyer friend without hesitation: "Honey, I want to file for divorce, and at the same time, I'm suing the person who hurt my daughter again!"
My lawyer friend, knowing everything I was going through, replied: "One week, just one week, and your divorce agreement will be ready."
"As for suing Sherree, you need to prepare all the evidence again, and we'll send her to jail all at once!"
My voice choked, but I was incredibly firm: "Understood."
In one week, just one week, I could personally avenge my daughter and my brother!
Delane’s POV
That night, dragging my frail body still weak from surgery, I made my way to the ICU.
Hallie had yet to wake up. Her tiny frame was covered in tubes, her pale face ghostly white beneath the oxygen mask.
I sat beside her bed, gently holding her small hand. My tears fell, one after another, onto the back of it.
“Baby… please… wake up…” I muttered desperately.
“Mommy will never let anyone hurt you again…” I promised.
I didn’t close my eyes for a single moment that night.