My daughter was bullied at school. My husband, Alex Thorne, rushed over to handle it. The bully was suspended. I felt the punishment was too light, so I escalated it to the school board. Eventually, the bully was expelled. But the very next day, my daughter, Lily, mysteriously disappeared. I cried myself to sleep every night, and Alex searched for her relentlessly. It wasn’t until a month later that I saw my daughter in the Thorne family’s private bullfighting arena. Her small face was deathly pale, and she was clutching her knees tightly. I cried and knelt, begging Alex to let Lily out. But he was embracing Vanessa Hayes, the bully’s mother, his expression icy cold. “Lily being bullied is all because you spoil her too much. She can’t even handle a little pain. This bullfighting match is just what she needs to toughen her up!” With no hope left, I trembled as I dialed a number. “If you can save my daughter, I’ll marry you.” … I had just hung up. In the center of the arena, another bull charged past, grazing Lily’s clothes. She staggered backward. My vision blurred, and I almost collapsed to the ground. “Relax, no one’s going to die.” A cold voice came from behind me. “There are professionals guiding her in there. They know what they’re doing better than you do.” I spun around. Alex’s hand was resting on Vanessa’s waist, his sharp gaze piercing me. “Vanessa already has it hard raising a child alone, yet you had to go and report her to the school board just because your daughter got a little scratch!” “You’re both mothers. Why can’t you be more understanding of Vanessa?” I screamed, my voice raw. “A little scratch…? Multiple fractures are a little scratch?! If I hadn’t found her clothes covered in blood while doing laundry, Lily would have never told me!” Alex fell silent. I knelt on the rough sand, clutching his coat desperately, tears streaming down my face. “Please, I’m begging you, let Lily out. She’s the child we tried so hard to have…” His eyes flickered with a momentary haze. I had struggled with infertility, and the day I finally got pregnant was a miracle. He, who never believed in fate, had vowed to give up everything for her safety, just for me and Lily to be safe. How could the man who once treasured me and our child above all else change so much? I opened my mouth to say more, but my palm vibrated. “Give me fifteen minutes.” Alex stared at my movement, then suddenly sneered. “What? Going to call my mother and complain again?” He grabbed my wrist, his grip so strong it felt like he might crush my bones. “Last time, you tricked me away and then arranged for someone to almost ruin Vanessa’s reputation. I haven’t settled that score with you yet!” “I’m telling you, not even God himself can get her out today!” Then, he roughly flung my hand away. I stood frozen, my lips trembling as I spoke. “Those private photos… you sent them out?” Alex’s face was cold, and he didn’t reply. But my heart died. During that time, I would walk down the street, and people would hurl insults and even objects at me for no reason. At my company, they used ‘morality’ as an excuse to fire me. Even now, just thinking about it sends a deep, icy chill through my bones. But now, he was telling me that my own husband did all of this? My head snapped to the side. Lily’s clothes were already torn and tattered. A bull charged straight at her. Lily screamed and fell backward onto the ground. Her arm was gashed, a line of blood appearing. I desperately closed my eyes for a moment. When I spoke again, there was no trace of affection left. “Let her out. I’ll take her and leave right now. You can have your perfect little family of three!” I ran towards the bullfighting arena, but a bodyguard kicked my knee and pinned my shoulders down. Grit dug into my skin, but I felt no pain. Alex’s face was filled with rage. “There are still five minutes left until the show is over. Lily’s fine, isn’t she?” “Your overprotective love is spoiling her. You stay right here until the end!” Just then, Vanessa’s voice came over. “Alex, the school called! Caleb accidentally scraped his knee while playing games!” Alex instantly panicked. “How could he be so careless? We need to go see him right now.” How ridiculous. He was showering concern on another woman’s child, rushing to play the doting father. But he left his own flesh and blood to die in the bullfighting arena. After a few steps, he suddenly turned back and instructed coldly. “Keep an eye on her. Don’t let her in until the bullfighting ends!” However, barely a minute after he left. The bullfighting arena suddenly spun out of control. In the swirling dust, a small figure was violently flung by a raging bull, blood instantly staining the sand. 2 “Lily—!!!” The scream was gut-wrenching. I bit the bodyguard’s arm like a madwoman, stumbling forward. Just as the bodyguard behind me was about to grab me, an arm blocked him. Seeing the person who had arrived, I grabbed onto him like a drowning woman clutches a lifeline. “Please, save my child!” Seeing Lily collapsed in a pool of blood, his pupils constricted sharply, and he roared. “Stop the show! Open the gates!” Damon Blackwood rushed into the arena like an arrow, carefully picked up Lily, and took her to the hospital. Even after Lily was taken into the emergency room, I hadn’t fully recovered, staring at the bloodstains on my clothes, my eyes vacant. Half an hour later, the doctor came out and shook his head at me. “The family should prepare for her final arrangements…” Suddenly, the world spun around me. Damon Blackwood quickly steadied my swaying body. A familiar voice suddenly echoed in my ears. “Does it still hurt? Big boys don’t cry, okay? I bought you the latest game console.” I turned my head and saw Alex. In his other hand, he was carrying a small cake, one Lily loved. The fatherly love Lily never received, not even in death, was now effortlessly given to someone else. How dare he act so happily by another child’s side? Didn’t he know Lily was dead?! Had he worried about Lily for even a second? Just as I rushed over to confront him. “If I hadn’t taken the time for a check-up, I wouldn’t have known I was going to be a dad.” My steps halted abruptly. Dad…? “Alex, I know you have a daughter, and I don’t expect you to dedicate yourself entirely to her, but I hope you won’t let her be bullied…” A flicker of disgust crossed Alex’s eyes. “I will take good care of her.” I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. Our daughter was dead. Yet, he was joyfully preparing to welcome a new life. How ironic. He didn’t deserve to be Lily’s father! Suddenly, my vision went black, and a large hand covered my eyes. A comforting voice whispered in my ear. “I’m here.” I leaned against his shoulder, hot tears streaming down my face. After handling Lily’s funeral, I returned to the old family estate. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Thorne. I can’t continue to repay the kindness you’ve shown me.” Mrs. Eleanor Thorne’s rough hand covered mine. “I’ve heard everything. Alex truly went too far… Is Lily alright?” I lowered my lashes, looking at the small, square box in my hand. Mrs. Thorne finally sighed. “It seems I can’t keep you here. Stay and have one last meal with this old woman, won’t you?” I nodded. That evening, Alex brought Vanessa and her son over. Seeing me sitting alone on the sofa. He spoke lightly. “Where’s Lily? She’s not mad at me, is she?” “Vanessa told me the bullfighting show ended safely. You just spoil the child too much. Looks like she needs more training in the future.” The thought of Lily lying in my arms, barely breathing as she called for ‘Mommy,’ made my chest feel like it was crushed by a boulder. Every breath was a stab of pain. “From now on, however you want to train her, I won’t be involved…” Alex seemed to think I had given in, and a satisfied smile spread across his face. He walked over and took my hand. “Whenever our daughter is ready to see me, I, as her father, will be the first to apologize.” I shook off his hand and walked straight to the dining table. Alex frowned, about to get angry, but he was interrupted by Mrs. Thorne’s piercing voice from the living room. “Who let you in? Get out!” Alex quickly shielded Vanessa and her son behind him. “Mom, I brought them.” Mrs. Thorne’s chest heaved with anger. “Do you know that your daughter…” I pulled on Mrs. Thorne’s sleeve. I was afraid that telling the truth would only lead to more humiliation. But Alex’s eyes changed, rapidly transforming from panic into blatant disgust. “Sarah Reed! You’re really trying to stir up trouble with my mom again, aren’t you?!” “I just brought them over for dinner. If you cause any more drama, we’re getting a divorce!” 3 Mrs. Thorne tiredly shook her head. “Never mind, never mind. I’m not getting involved.” At dawn, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Usually, around this time, Lily would insist on taking a walk with me. She didn’t really love walking; she just wanted to be the first to see her dad when he came home from work. Driven by an impulse, I walked to the backyard garden. A dark figure was squatting by the pool. By the moonlight, I saw it was Vanessa’s son, Caleb. I turned to leave, but suddenly, a stream of water hit my back. “Are you Lily Thorne’s mom?” Malice laced his childish voice. “You’re just as much a slut as Lily Thorne. Wearing a skirt in winter, who are you trying to hook up with?” I froze. “You… what did you say?” He grinned. “She wore such a short skirt, wasn’t she asking for it? What’s wrong with me kissing her? She dared to refuse me, she deserved to be taught a lesson!” Blood instantly rushed to my head. So, everything my daughter suffered began with such an absurd reason. I rushed forward, trembling with rage, and slapped him hard on the back. “Stop it!” Alex rushed over, shoving me away. I staggered backward, slipped, and fell onto the cobblestones. Blood beaded from my palms. “Are you insane?! Laying your hands on a child?” He glared down at me, his chest heaving. My eyes were bloodshot. “He deserved it! Not only do I want to hit him, I wish I could…” *Slap!* A stinging slap turned my head, and my left ear rang. “Do you even know what you’re saying?!” Vanessa rushed over, gripping my shoulders tightly. “Whatever issues you have, take them out on me! Please, don’t bully my child!” She screamed hysterically. Then, she suddenly leaned close to my ear, her hot breath sending chills down my spine. “I heard your daughter died horribly… it was worth spending a fortune to bribe that bullfighter.” My blood instantly froze. It was her! All this time, it was her! Rage overwhelmed my reason. By the time I regained my senses. Vanessa was already slumped by the poolside, clutching her stomach and wailing. “What do you think you’re doing?!” Alex’s face was ashen as he helped her up, then turned to roar at me. “What are you trying to do?” My voice trembled. “Do you know what she just said? She said…” “Alex… my stomach hurts so much…” Vanessa weakly clutched his sleeve, her face deathly pale. Alex’s expression immediately changed. He held Vanessa tightly, casting a hateful glare at me. “Throw this crazy woman into the pool! Let her cool off in there all night!” I stared hard at Vanessa. She was hiding in Alex’s arms, giving me a defiant smirk. With that, his resolute figure disappeared into the night, not even looking back at me as I soaked in the cold water. The cold felt like a thousand steel needles pricking my bones. I couldn’t stop shaking. It seemed when a heart turns cold, even the most basic concern vanishes completely. The next day, after packing my things, I sent Damon Blackwood a text. As soon as I reached the living room. Alex stormed over, furious. Behind him followed Vanessa, her face streaming with tears. “Sarah Reed, I truly underestimated you! You’ve already forced Caleb to transfer schools, and you still won’t leave him alone!” He threw his phone, hitting my forehead. “It’s because you’re spreading rumors that Caleb is a bully! Now all the parents in the SnapChat groups are demanding he be expelled!” “Are you trying to kill him?! He’s just a child!” I looked at his furious face and suddenly found it amusing. “You weren’t even this angry when Lily was bullied. Who exactly is your child?” Alex rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with helplessness. “How can that be the same? No matter what, those were just kids’ squabbles.” “You already made him transfer, why can’t you just let it go?” “Now, you’re coming with me to school to explain everything to those parents.” Even though I hadn’t done any of it. I was very satisfied with the outcome. “No!” Vanessa suddenly knelt before me, clutching my hand, tears dripping from her chin. “You’re a mother too. You must understand how I feel… If you just let us go, I’ll take my son and disappear, okay?” Her long fingernails dug into my flesh. I cried out in pain and yanked my hand away. Alex rushed forward, anxiously pulling her into his embrace. I suddenly laughed out loud. “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?” Alex’s pupils constricted. “I advise you to abort this child. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee she’ll be born safely.” The panic in his eyes was instantly replaced by fury. “Do you know what you’re saying?! When did you become so vicious?!” “Since you can’t tolerate this child, then let’s get a divorce right now!” I curved my lips into a smile. This was my goal all along. Only after I received the divorce papers did I finally feel completely at ease. Tears of relief streamed down my face. But Alex misinterpreted them. “If you apologize to Vanessa on your knees now, I don’t mind remarrying you.” “Dream on.” Alex was stung by my cold attitude, and a vein throbbed on his forehead. “Custody of the child goes to me! A lunatic like you can’t raise a good child! I’m a hundred times better than you!” Hearing that, I sneered. “Yes, you’re a great father. So great you don’t even know your own daughter is dead.” 4 Alex’s pupils contracted sharply, and he froze as if struck by lightning. “You… what did you say?” I took a step forward, each word like a knife piercing his heart. “Your daughter, Lily, was trampled to death by a bull in that arena!”
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