Kate, with a pout and tears in her eyes, protested, "No, I twisted my foot for you, Nick. Are you going to leave me?
"She never likes me usually; what if she refuses to take me?
"I saw the notice just now, it's fake. Natalie has deceived you several times, and you still believe her? I won't contact you again after this, otherwise, Natalie will deceive you with her lies again."
Feeling sorry for her distress, Nick quickly reassured her, "Don't cry. I won't let her harm you. I'll take you to the doctor now."
With a forceful kick, he pushed me away once more and hurried off.
Seeing him about to leave, I tried to stand up, but my movement pulled the place where he had kicked me before, causing me to trip over.
In that brief moment, he had already boarded the elevator.
Desperately, I shouted after him, "Nick, Meryl can't wait any longer. I'm not lying to you. Please, save her. I beg you, save her!"
The elevator doors closed with silence, leaving me with only his cold gaze.
Overwhelmed by despair, I received a call from Julia, urging me to hurry over.
I managed to stand up and rushed to the fourth floor.
Julia stood at the ICU door, tears streaming down her face as she grabbed onto me.
"Where did you go? Why didn't Nick come? Meryl's gone. When she was awake, she kept calling for you both, but neither of you were by her side."
I felt a chill run down my spine, my mind in a daze, rendered speechless.
Julia hugged me as I pushed her away from her bloody hand, walking into the ICU in despair.
As I saw Meryl lifeless on the hospital bed, uncontrollable tremors shook my body.
I let out a heartbreaking cry of Meryl's name, holding her close as tears flowed endlessly.
Julia stood behind me, her voice choked with emotion.
"Why didn't Nick come? Meryl kept asking where her daddy went just now, saying she was scared and wanted daddy and mommy.
"Why didn't Nick come? Meryl is only six years old! How could he be so heartless?"
I cried inconsolably, unable to articulate a word.
Images of Meryl's fearful pleas for her parents and the sight of Nick walking away with Kate clouded my mind.
Lost in my grief, I couldn't fathom how long I cried. Eventually, I let go of Meryl's body, turned, and left the room.
I made my way to the orthopedics department, but he was nowhere to be found.
I asked the doctor, but he gave me a peculiar look.
"That gentleman seemed to say he wanted to take her home."