My daughter suddenly collapsed and urgently needed surgery. When it was time to pay, I discovered that the education fund, which I had painstakingly saved up for her, was gone. Desperate, I called my husband, Declan, the hospital director, to ask if he could expedite the process. He dismissed me coldly, “Adeline, how could you joke about our daughter’s life out of jealousy?” “You expect me to break the rules?” In tears, I tried to reach him again, but his phone was off. My daughter never woke up. Later, I found out that Declan had used my daughter’s life-saving money to buy a house in a good school district for Rosalie’s son. And on the day of her cremation, he spent the entire night watching fireworks with Rosalie and her son. At the hospital. Watching my daughter’s heart rate plummet, I was so desperate that I fell to my knees. “Dr. Wesley, please operate on my daughter. I promise I’ll pay the fees soon.” Dr. Wesley gently pushed my hand aside, looking troubled. “Sister-in-law, please don’t put us in a difficult position. We can’t perform the surgery without payment.” “Director Declan didn’t approve it over the phone.” “And he specifically instructed us not to let you cause a scene here.” “Is this causing a scene?” “This is life and death!” “The patient’s heartbeat is weakening,” an abrupt voice sent chills down my spine. The alarm from the monitor filled me with terror and confusion. Yes, I could call Declan’s Rosalie, Nora; they were likely together. With trembling hands, I dialed Nora’s number. After what felt like an eternity, she answered. “Adeline, Declan is bathing Finn right now. If it’s urgent, I’ll get him to answer.” I closed my eyes, trying to suppress my fury. “Tell him to come to the hospital immediately!” Declan must have heard me, as he shouted angrily on the other end. “Adeline, aren’t you done with your drama?” “You’re taking this too far.” “No,” I cried out in desperation. “Our daughter needs you. Come back quickly; she doesn’t have much time.” Before I could finish, the call was disconnected. Tears streamed down my face as I watched my daughter slipping away. As I hesitated, wondering whom to call next, the nurse’s urgent voice rang out again. “The patient’s heart has stopped.” “No, it can’t be!” I screamed and rushed to my daughter’s side. “Zoe must be in pain, just asleep. She wouldn’t leave me.” I shook her frantically. “Zoe, wake up and look at Mommy, please?” But no matter how hard I tried, her eyes remained closed. Overwhelmed with grief and anger, I fainted. When I awoke, my daughter had been taken to the morgue. I pushed through the pain in my head and stumbled there. I could only touch my daughter’s cold body. No! I couldn’t accept it. My Zoe was alive. Just a while ago, we were playing games happily. How could she leave me? I didn’t know how long I had been crying, my eyes swollen. With trembling hands, I dialed Declan’s number again. But he kept rejecting the call immediately. I laughed bitterly at myself. Why was I still hoping? Suppressing my deep sorrow, I called my best friend. She was the one helping with my daughter’s arrangements. At the crematorium, she said with red eyes. “Maybe, try calling again.” “After all, he is Zoe’s biological father.”
I remembered how much Zoe adored her dad. Not wanting her to leave with regrets, I dialed his number with a composed face. “Then I’ll give him one more chance.” The call was quickly answered. “What is it this time? You have time to call me; you should spend more with Zoe drawing.” Yes, Zoe loved drawing with me the most. But we would never have that chance again. “Come to the crematorium to see your daughter one last time.” I held back tears, speaking calmly. “Heh.” Declan laughed mockingly, “Where did you learn these lines? Don’t teach Zoe bad things.” “Let Zoe talk to me.” “You can’t hear her voice anymore.” “If she’s asleep, then tomorrow. I’m busy now.” Without listening further, Declan hung up. He even turned off his phone. If he wouldn’t listen, let him regret it. Watching the fire turn my daughter’s small body into ashes. My heart hurt so much I could barely breathe. I silently made a vow in my heart. At home, I held a memorial service for my daughter. Guests were curious. “Adeline, where’s Zoe’s dad?” “Yeah, what’s more important than a child’s funeral?” Indeed, I also wondered what Declan was doing. My daughter’s playful smile appeared in my mind. “Mommy, come catch me.” “Mommy, my birthday wish is to celebrate with both parents, okay?” A noise at the door snapped me back. I looked up to see Declan, who hadn’t been home for days, carrying a big cake. Beside him were Nora and her son, both dressed in red. I felt a sting in my nose and looked down. “Adeline, what are you doing? Turning our home into a funeral hall.” Guests started whispering as Declan walked in with the unfamiliar pair. He sensed something was wrong. He saw our daughter’s black-and-white photo on the table. Emotionally charged, he shouted, “Adeline, you’ve gone too far. Why put Zoe’s photo here?” “You’re crazy and shouldn’t curse my daughter.” “Can’t you see? This is Zoe’s funeral and memorial service.” My tone was calm, devoid of emotion. Declan squinted, frowning, in disbelief. To cover up his unease, he raised his voice several times. “No, this must be some trick of yours. Tell me, where are you hiding Zoe? Bring her out.” “Dad Declan, where’s Zoe? Didn’t we agree to celebrate her birthday today?” Nora’s son, Jasper, asked. Yes, today was supposed to be my daughter’s fifth birthday. But it turned out like this.
“Yes, today is Zoe’s birthday. I bought her favorite cake.” He said, panicking as he went upstairs. Calling, “Zoe, are you upstairs? Don’t play hide and seek with Dad, okay?” Guests started whispering again. “What kind of father doesn’t know his daughter died?” “Exactly, bringing a mistress and her child here, heartless.” I ignored them, kneeling, continuing to burn paper money. Unable to find my daughter, Declan stormed back down. “Adeline, where’s Zoe?” “Dad Declan, is Zoe playing hide and seek with us?” “Can we take her to our new home to play? It’s beautiful.” Hearing “new home,” I suddenly looked up. Remembering Nora wanted to buy a house here for her son to attend school. Could it be? I quickly stood, walked to Declan. “Declan, did you use our daughter’s education fund to buy a house for them?” “Adeline, don’t blame Declan. He felt sorry for us having no place to live and used it temporarily.” Nora acted pitifully, trying to gain sympathy. So it was true! If Declan hadn’t taken that money, Zoe wouldn’t have died from lack of surgery funds. I suddenly shouted at Declan angrily, “That was our daughter’s life-saving money! How could you do this?” “What life-saving money? Our daughter is alive.” Declan still couldn’t accept that our daughter was gone. “Then, Dad Declan, can I invite Zoe to see fireworks tonight?” “Last night’s fireworks were beautiful.” Hearing Jasper’s words, I laughed in anger. “So yesterday, when you hung up on me, it was to watch fireworks with them?” Declan answered confidently. “Yes, kids like excitement. I joined them. So what?” Ha! What do you mean, so what? Yesterday was our daughter’s cremation day, and he was busy with someone else’s child. Zoe always wanted Declan to take her to see fireworks, but he always had excuses. Yet now, he watched fireworks all night with Rosalie’s child. Declan, you’re so heartless. It’s fine if you don’t love me, but how could you treat my daughter like this? My best friend, unable to hold back, shouted at Declan. “Declan, you’re such a jerk, ignoring your child but treating someone else’s as your own. Is he your biological son?” Nora suddenly, with teary eyes, explained. “Miss, you can’t say that. It will cause misunderstandings.” I spent the entire night watching fireworks with Rosalie’s child. Declan, how could you be so cruel? You may not love me, but how can you treat my daughter this way? My best friend, unable to hold back any longer, began to berate Declan. “Declan, you’re truly despicable. You neglect your own daughter but treat someone else’s child like they’re your own. I bet that kid is actually yours.” Nora’s eyes welled up with tears as she tried to defend herself. “Ma’am, please don’t say such things. It will cause misunderstandings.” Declan stepped protectively in front of Nora and her child, glaring at my best friend. “Your words are damaging Nora’s reputation. Apologize to her.” My best friend sneered, “Apologize? Never. You should be the ones apologizing to Zoe.” “You didn’t even know your own daughter had passed away. You don’t deserve to be called a father.” She spoke the last sentence with sheer contempt for Declan. “Stop spewing nonsense. My Zoe isn’t dead; she’s only five years old.” He shouted, then began to tear apart the wreaths in the room. “I’ll show you acting. I’ll show you playing.” “Declan, you can’t do this. Zoe wouldn’t be happy.” “Stop it right now.” I rushed to stop Declan from destroying things, but he wouldn’t listen. In a matter of moments, the entire memorial service was in shambles. Many guests, unable to bear the sight, left, shaking their heads. Seeing him about to strike my daughter’s urn, I ran over and cradled it protectively in my arms. “You can’t smash this.” “Heh, Adeline, you’re really putting on a show, even setting up an urn.” “No, it’s truly my daughter’s ashes inside,” I croaked, my voice nearly gone. Declan snatched the urn from my hands and smashed it to the ground. Watching the ashes scatter, I fell to my knees with a thud. I murmured in agony, “Zoe, I’m sorry. It’s Mom who didn’t protect you.” “Truly sorry!” Tears streamed down my face like a broken string of pearls, mingling with my daughter’s ashes on the floor. Declan seemed to realize he had gone too far, his lips moving slightly. “You wanted to use these things to deceive me.” My best friend, furious, shoved Declan, “Declan, do you have any humanity? Why would you scatter Zoe’s ashes? She was just a child!” At that moment, Dr. Wesley from the hospital arrived at the memorial service. 4. Seeing the chaos inside, he feared being implicated in the child’s death and wanted to leave. But Declan stopped him, “Dr. Wesley, you’re here just in time. Tell me, isn’t Zoe still alive?” Dr. Wesley was even more frightened by the question, trembling as he replied, “Dean, back then, Adeline didn’t have the money for the surgery fees. She called you, but you refused to authorize the surgery. All the doctors present heard it.” “So now you’re lying for her, saying Zoe is dead?” “Answer me!” Declan shouted when Dr. Wesley remained silent. “I’m sorry, Dean Declan. Your daughter didn’t survive because the surgery wasn’t performed in time.” Dr. Wesley’s head was almost touching the ground as he spoke the last words. “Declan, did you hear that? Zoe is really gone, and it’s your fault.” My best friend took the opportunity to add. “No, that’s not how it is.” Declan muttered to himself, backing away. Suddenly, Declan lunged forward and grabbed Dr. Wesley by the collar. “You knew the situation best. Why didn’t you perform the surgery for Zoe?” “Dean, didn’t you instruct that without your consent, we shouldn’t agree to Adeline’s demands?” Declan ruffled his hair in frustration, gritting his teeth, “When did I ever say such a thing?” Dr. Wesley widened his eyes in disbelief, “Isn’t that what you instructed? Everyone in the hospital knows.” I knew Declan’s character. If he didn’t do something, he wouldn’t admit it. Could it be? I instinctively looked at Nora, seeing her panicked expression and tightly clenched fists. Declan also suddenly shot a fierce look at Nora. Terrified, Nora’s eyes filled with tears as she desperately defended herself, “Declan, I didn’t do anything.” I quickly approached Nora and slapped her hard. “I’ll make you pretend. Give me Zoe’s life back.” Seeing Nora being hit, Declan pushed me to the ground without hesitation. My head hit the ground with a loud thud. The pain was unbearable, and familiar yet unfamiliar fragments flooded into my mind. My best friend, seeing me clutching my head in pain, hurriedly helped me up. “Adeline, is your head hurting again? Let’s get you up first.” The images in my mind slowly overlapped. I finally remembered who I was. After a moment, I shot Declan a cold glare. He was already falling apart. With red eyes, he apologized to me, “Adeline, I’m sorry. I didn’t know Zoe’s condition would become so serious, and in the end…” I shook off Declan’s hand decisively. “Declan, we’re finished. Get ready to face the consequences!” My best friend was stunned by my sudden change. “Adeline, did that bump knock some sense into you? Your aura is so powerful.” It was only after that bump that I remembered my past. I met Declan after a car accident. I was the patient, and he was the doctor. After the accident, I only remembered my name and had no other memories. During my hospital stay, I fell for Declan’s handsome appearance. He had just broken up with Nora not long before, and since we were both orphans, we ended up together out of convenience. After marriage, I knew he didn’t love me that much, but he didn’t lack love for Zoe. Until recently, when his Rosalie returned with a child, taking away the little affection he had for me. Declan was shocked by my sudden powerful aura. “Adeline, how did you suddenly become a different person?” “As for Zoe, I really didn’t expect it. I thought…” “Yes,” I interrupted Declan, “You thought everything I did before was just my way of competing for your attention.” “Declan, in your eyes, am I really so despicable that I would joke about my daughter’s life?” “Now that our daughter is gone, our union was a mistake from the start. Let’s end it here.” After speaking coldly, I crouched down, carefully gathering my daughter’s ashes from the ground and wrapping them in cloth. Declan was thoroughly panicked. “No, Adeline, Zoe is gone, and now you’re leaving me too?” I found it utterly ridiculous. I sneered, “Declan, it’s not that I’m leaving you. You pushed me away.” “Without us, there are others waiting for you to take them home.” I glanced at Nora standing nearby. Her eyes gleamed with pride, full of provocation. But the next second, she played the victim, “Declan, Finn is a little scared. Can you take us home first?”
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