The day of Annie's accident, Ethan was with his old flame getting her nails done.

I called him, begging him to come to the hospital, to see our daughter one last time.

But Ethan just accused me of being cruel, of cursing our own daughter.

I pleaded again and again, but he wouldn't budge.

Meanwhile, his old flame was posting on her Instagram story, showing off her new manicure.

"This goofball sat here like a statue waiting for me for three hours. He said he likes pink nails on me, what do you guys think? Cute?"

I stared at my phone for a long time, suddenly exhausted.

"Real cute. Tell him to come home and sign the divorce papers."

1.

My daughter was rushed into the operating room, covered in blood. I stood outside, my legs trembling.

Because I’d held her, I was drenched in her blood, my mind replaying the image of her lying in a pool of it.

My knees gave out, and I collapsed onto the floor.

Today was Annie’s birthday. I’d only stepped out for a moment to buy a cake, and she was hit by a car. The driver yelled “serves her right” and sped off – a hit-and-run.

There were no cameras on that stretch of road. The police arrived quickly.

I somehow managed to call 911.

On the way here, I tried calling my husband, Ethan, but his phone went straight to voicemail.

A doctor came out, his expression grim. He handed me the critical condition forms.

"The surgery is extremely high-risk. You need to prepare yourself."

Hearing those words felt like a giant, invisible hand squeezing my heart, making it hard to breathe.

"Doctor, please, you have to save my daughter! Please! She’s only five! She’s just five years old!"

He hesitated, then urged me to sign the consent forms quickly.

I forced myself to stay calm, to hold back the tears, and signed my name with a shaking hand.

I tried calling Ethan again.

Even though we were fighting, this was about Annie. He couldn’t be that cold.

After several tries, he finally picked up.

Like finding a lifeline, I burst into tears. "Ethan… get to the hospital! Now! Annie… Annie was in an accident!"

There was silence on the other end for a moment, then his voice, cold. "Sarah, that's enough. How could you be so twisted? What kind of stunt are you pulling now? Cursing Annie like that."

He didn’t believe me?

I choked back tears, trying to sound calm. "Ethan, I'm not kidding. Annie was hit by a car. She's at City General right now. Please, I'm begging you, just come!"

"The doctor… the doctor already said it’s critical…" I stammered out.

He was clearly annoyed. "Last time it was a fever, now it's a car accident. Stop the drama, Sarah. I have a company party tonight. I'll bring her a cake later. Gotta go!"

Before I could say another word, the line went dead.

I stared at my phone in despair. He just hung up?

Even if we were fighting, this was our child!

My hand clutching the phone felt ice-cold. Tears dripped onto the screen. The light above the operating room door was still on. I stared at it, my mind drifting back.

Ethan was a model. He had this arrogant air about him, fiercely driven in everything he did. That’s what drew me in.

He was struggling at first, barely getting any gigs.

I was his biggest fan. After relentlessly pursuing him, he finally gave me a chance.

He said, "I'm not very good at loving someone."

Tears streamed down my face, but I smiled and nodded. It’s okay, I told him, I’ll love you enough for both of us.

I hustled for him, sending out his resume everywhere, networking, getting him gigs, always asking them to keep my involvement a secret.

He was ambitious; he seized every opportunity.

After we got together, he took care of everything for me, treated me well.

He knew I wanted to pursue photography, so he used his savings to send me to school.

As life got better and his career took off, he got busier, but he was still good to me.

But I always sensed a distance in his kindness.

It wasn't that he couldn't love; it was like someone else already lived permanently in his heart.

The day Annie had a dangerously high fever, I panicked.

I called him countless times. He didn't come home until the middle of the night, after her fever had already broken.

He accused me of lying to get his attention.

Later, I found out that Chloe, his old flame, had returned to the country that day.

I secretly followed him to the airport when he went to pick her up.

Chloe was crying hysterically. Without a second thought, Ethan pulled her into his arms.

I clearly heard him promise to protect her from now on.

Later, they went to an amusement park. Just as they were about to get on the Ferris wheel, I called him, demanding he come home.

Back when we were dating, I'd playfully asked him to ride a Ferris wheel with me. I'd heard that if a couple kissed at the top, they'd stay together forever.

He'd called me childish, saying he hated places like that.

Trembling, I asked him why he was going now.

The irritation in his eyes was the last straw. We argued.

He shut down, coldly throwing these words at me before starting the silent treatment:

"Sarah, I thought you were different from other women. Turns out you're just as unreasonable."

"Chloe saved my life. I owe her."

The sound of another family crying nearby snapped me back to the present.

I frantically stared at the operating room door.

Annie was still in surgery. My heart ached so much I couldn't breathe.

It’s okay, it’s okay, as long as he still loves our daughter.

But now…

My hand trembled uncontrollably. My heart clenched. My Annie.

I sank to my knees, praying desperately for her safety.

But my hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

I pulled out my phone, intending to record a video, to prove I wasn't joking.

But then I saw a post from one of his colleagues.

They were at a company event, but he wasn't in the photos.

The next second, his old flame, Chloe, posted on her Instagram. A picture of her freshly manicured nails.

"This goofball sat here like a statue waiting for me for three hours. He said he likes pink nails on me, what do you guys think? Cute? 😉"

He had liked the post.

I zoomed in on the photo, my hand shaking slightly.

In the reflection of the nail salon window, I saw Ethan's hand.

He was still wearing the watch I gave him last year.

A chill spread through my body. My hand fell limply to my side.

Our daughter was fighting for her life in surgery, and he was sitting with this woman while she got her nails done?

Just then, a text from him finally arrived.

"Sarah, have you had enough of your games?"

"Don't think sending me random hospital pictures you found online will make me believe you."

"Stop teaching Annie to lie with you. I'm really sick of this."

"I told you I'm at a company party. Why are you always so suspicious? Where do you think the money you spend comes from? Think about that."

Before, I would have blown up his phone, demanding why he lied to me.

But now, reading his self-righteous excuses, I just felt tired.

2.

My gaze drifted, landing on his hand in the photo's reflection.

Right after Annie was born, I was sitting on the couch holding her when I saw a picture of pink nails I really liked. I wanted him to go with me to get them done.

He glanced at it dismissively, his voice flat. "Sarah, you're a mother now. Pink is so… delicate. Is that really appropriate? Besides, I don't like flashy nails on you."

His words deflated me. I looked down at the baby in my arms and quietly let it go.

I thought he just genuinely disliked nail polish. Now it seemed he just disliked it on me.

The doctor came out of the OR. I stumbled to my feet, my voice trembling. "Doctor, how is my daughter?"

I fought back tears. The doctor shook his head sadly.

"I'm so sorry. We did everything we could. Your daughter has something she wants to say. You should go in."

My lips trembled. I barely managed to stay upright.

Annie lay on the hospital bed, her face pale.

I held her hand, struggling to keep myself together.

Annie's lips moved. I read her lips. She wanted to see Daddy.

I wiped away a tear, forcing a smile. I told her I'd bring Daddy right over.

I frantically tried calling Ethan, only to discover he'd blocked my number.

All the blood rushed to my head.

Annie was fading fast. She wasn't crying or fussing, just looking at me.

The pain in my chest was suffocating. I thought of the only other way to reach Ethan.

I dialed Chloe's number. Her loud, cheerful laugh came through the phone. "Sarah? What's up?"

I fought to control my voice, telling her Annie was dying, that Ethan needed to come to the hospital to see her one last time.

Please. He had to come.

But I never expected Ethan to grab the phone, his voice laced with impatience. "Sarah, you've really lost it! You call yourself a mother? How can you curse your own child like that!"

"You sound like a lunatic right now!"

I sobbed quietly.

Through the phone, I heard Chloe's coy voice. "Ethan, she sounds really upset. Maybe you should go? I can manage dinner myself."

"Don't worry about it," Ethan replied. "It's probably nothing serious. She's just putting on a show for me, she pulled this stunt last time too, and Annie was fine. I'm staying with you tonight."

Panic seized me. What if he didn't come?

I raised my voice. "Ethan, if you don't come right now, we're getting a divorce."

It was the only leverage I had left.

Silence on the other end. Finally, he relented, though his voice was cold. "Wait for me."

I hung up immediately and sent him the hospital address.

Annie was in so much pain, but she didn't cry.

She opened her mouth slightly. "Mommy… don't cry… An… nie… loves Mommy."

Tears streamed down my face, my chest feeling crushed by a heavy weight.

Looking at her little face, so much like Ethan's, brought a fresh wave of bitterness.

After we got together, I realized I was just Chloe's replacement.

Chloe had gotten married.

He'd only agreed to be with me out of spite.

Now Chloe was divorced and back, and that light was back in his eyes.

Clutching my daughter's blood-stained hand, I felt utterly broken.

3.

No matter what, I would endure it for Annie.

But I never imagined… Annie didn't make it long enough to see Ethan.

I paced the hospital corridor, checking the time over and over.

When the devastating news finally reached me, my body went rigid, as if the world had fallen away.

I couldn't hold back anymore. I collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably.

How… how could this happen…

Whether he was coming from his office or Chloe's place, it was only a ten-minute drive.

He couldn't even spare ten minutes?

My heart clenched painfully, making it impossible to breathe.

Just then, Chloe's Instagram updated again.

Her caption: "The silly goose made me a four-course meal! Told him I couldn't possibly eat it all, but he insisted I'm too thin. Cleaned my plate! "

Ethan's comment below: "Happy if you eat more."

My thumb slipped and liked the post.

She immediately sent me a private message. "Sarah, Ethan was worried I wouldn't eat, so he insisted on staying with me Sorry! He'll make it up to Annie tomorrow, okay?"

I could practically picture her smug expression.

In that instant, my heart felt like it had plunged into ice water.

I raised my hand, wiped my tears, and deleted her contact information.

My fingernails dug into my palms, the pain spreading through my core.

Overnight, I had lost everything.

I accompanied Annie's body to the funeral home. It was crowded, too many people needing arrangements. Annie had to lie alone in a refrigerated drawer, waiting.

I didn't cry. I didn't make a scene. I just sat quietly outside the funeral home all night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Annie's face contorted in pain.

I felt nothing, just numb. Only one thought remained.

Divorce.

I want a divorce.

I handled everything and went home as the sky began to lighten at the crack of dawn.

He was back.

I hadn't turned on the lights. He jumped when he saw me.

He froze for a second, his expression slightly awkward. "It got really late last night. I didn't want to wake you and Annie, so I didn't come home."

"I have to leave for a business trip soon, can you pack a couple of outfits for me?"

Always ordering me around, just like usual.

When I didn't move, he walked towards me.

My face must have looked awful.

He clearly didn't understand, stepping closer, trying to placate me. "I'm sorry I kept you waiting. Last night, she was really upset—"

I lifted my hand and slapped him across the face with all my strength.

His expression turned ugly. He raised his voice. "Sarah! Are you crazy? You hit me?"

"And you sent Annie back to your parents', didn't you? Can you stop being so unreasonable? Stop being jealous all the time! Chloe just got back, she has no family here but me."

I didn't say anything.

He lost his patience, dragging me onto the sofa, fumbling with his belt, kissing me roughly.

I bit him. "Get off me!"

The taste of blood filled my mouth.

Just then, I saw the hickey on his neck.

The blatant mark sent a sharp pain through my heart, stealing my breath.

But his face was cold. "Sarah, what's the act? You used Annie to lure me back, isn't this what you wanted all along? Fine. I'll give it to you."

He roughly tore at my dress, as if sex was some kind of compensation.

Seeing I'd stopped resisting, his movements became gentler.

"Sarah, stop being unreasonable, okay? Or I'll really lose my patience."

"Sarah, can't you just yield a little? Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

My body flinched slightly. I didn't fight back anymore. My voice was flat. "Annie's gone."

He didn't seem to hear me, still tearing at my clothes. Tears streamed silently down my face.

Just then, Chloe pushed the door open and walked in.

She wore a victor's smile, covering her mouth coyly. "Ethan, what's taking you so long? It's cold downstairs, so I came on up."

She saw us, her expression faltering for a split second, then she strutted over in her heels.

"Oh… Sarah's here too? Weren't you supposed to be at the hospital? See, Ethan? You know her so well. She really was lying to you."

Ethan seemed to tacitly agree with her.

Her casual words cut me like knives.

My head snapped towards her. I saw a matching, glaring hickey on her neck too.

Out all night, hickeys on both of them.

No explanation needed.

I snapped, biting down hard on his arm. He cried out in pain, releasing me.

I forced back tears. "Ethan, why would you humiliate me like this?"

He looked bewildered but moved to stand beside Chloe, rubbing her hand, his tone reproachful towards her. "Chloe, I told you to wear more, didn't I? Your hands are freezing, just like a little girl's."

She pouted playfully. "Ethan, as long as you're here, I'll never be cold."

"You promised you'd always protect me. When our baby is born, you'll protect them too, right?"

Ethan's expression softened incredibly. I heard him reply, "Okay."

He said okay?

He… how could he?

Baby? What baby?

I looked at Chloe, who was shyly cradling her stomach.

In that instant, my world collapsed.

He tucked her hair behind her ear, not even looking at me.

I straightened my clothes and stood up, my expression numb, my hands hanging limply at my sides.

Tears fell, fat and heavy.

"Ethan, you're sick. You're seriously sick. You didn't deserve such a wonderful daughter."

Mentioning Annie finally made him look at me.

He crossed his arms, leaning back slightly, his eyes cold, his tone impatient. "Go get Annie from your parents' house."

"Sarah, if you keep acting this paranoid, maybe Chloe should take care of her for a while. Chloe likes kids more than you do."

He called me paranoid.

Before, he would have said, It's okay, Sarah, I'll reassure you, I only love you.

Memories sliced through me like razors, leaving me bleeding pain.

Tears streamed down my face.

"Ethan, you don't get another chance. You'll never get the chance. Annie's dead."

Chloe tugged at his sleeve, still fanning the flames. "Ethan, listen to her! How can she curse her own child like that? I would never."

His expression remained cold, still convinced I was lying.

Until I pulled the death certificate from my bag. Ethan's face began to change. He took the report, his body staggering back a step.