Tears blurred my vision as I choked out, "Do you dare to stand before Liam and tell him why he died? Do you dare to admit what kind of surgery you ordered the doctor to perform on his mother?!"
Willy’s brows furrowed. "What are you talking about? Liam died because you failed to protect him!"
I let out a hollow laugh, my heart shattering at his words. "And the surgery?"
"What else?" He scoffed. "I begged the doctor to save your life. Was that a crime? Carol, I think you need your head examined. Stop acting insane and apologize to Sophia now!"
Sophia clung to him, her voice fragile. "Forget it, Willy. Even though Carol wanted to harm me, I can understand... she's lost her child."
She whimpered and pressed a hand to her ankle. "But my foot... I think I sprained it when she pushed me. It really hurts, Willy. Could you carry me to the hospital?" Her gaze flickered toward me, a victorious smirk hidden beneath her feigned innocence.
Willy’s disappointment in me deepened as he turned away without hesitation. "Hold on, Sophia. I’ll take you there."
As he carried her off, she threw me a silent taunt, mouthing, "Pathetic."
Watching their retreating figures, I knew—this was the end. Willy and I were finished.
That evening, I returned to the cemetery alone. I bought a new urn, hired the staff to carefully collect Little Treasure’s ashes and held him close to my chest. I walked away without looking back.
A funeral like that? My Little Treasure wouldn’t care. A father like that? My Little Treasure didn’t need.
***
At home, I dismissed the nanny, granting her an extended leave. As I sat in silence, my phone rang. Willy.
"Carol, are you home yet?" His voice was soft, almost apologetic. "Don’t be upset, okay? Sophia’s foot is fine. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that today—I was just worried."
He sighed heavily. "The stairs were steep. If Sophia had fallen badly... if something happened to her, what would Benny do? We already lost a child, Carol. I just couldn’t bear to see Benny lose his mother too."
His words felt like knives carving into my heart.
"Benny is just a boy. I’m his godfather. And Sophia... she’s a friend. It’s only right that I take care of them. You understand, don’t you?"
I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat. "I know," I murmured. "It’s fine. Take care of them."