Chapter 1 · A Mother's Vengeance

Chapter 1

My daughter Lily Grant's final wish was to go to Disneyland.

I scrimped and saved from my CEO husband's 70 dollars monthly allowance for six months.

After all that effort, I finally got two discounted tickets.

Then the nanny started sulking.

She whined, "Must be nice being a rich kid. Just say the word and off you go to some fancy theme park.

"Me? I'm barely 19 and already breaking my back working for other people."

Both my brother and my husband immediately felt sorry for her.

They snatched away my tickets and cut off mine and Lily's living expenses for an entire year.

Then they ganged up on me. "Spoiled girls just turn into gold-diggers. I'm not leaving my money to some little gold-digger."

I couldn't let Lily die with regrets.

So I sold the diamond bracelet Mom left me and bought tickets for her dream trip.

When I finally got back to Disneyland's gates, carrying Lily as her life slipped away, I was determined to make her dream come true.

But the staff said two rich guys had reserved the entire park for the day. No one else could enter.

In the end, Lily died with her dream unfulfilled.

Then I saw a photo on social media—the nanny posed between my husband and brother, all three beaming in front of the Disney castle.

Her caption read: [Nothing hits like being their favourite!]

[I just mentioned Disneyland and they reserved the entire park for me!]

*****

As fireworks burst across the night sky at Disneyland, my tears dried up.

With shaking hands, I commented on the nanny's post from a minute ago.

[Wishing you three a lifetime together, never apart.]

Less than three minutes later, my phone buzzed.

The same number that had blacklisted me when the staff turned me away at the gate.

Now they were calling.

My heart sank.

But I stayed calm and picked up.

My husband, Richard Grant, exploded with rage, just as I'd expected.

"Emily! How could you be so cruel? Slut-shaming an innocent girl?"

"Because of your snide comment, Chloe thinks she's done something horrible! She won't stop crying!

"She's just a sweet, innocent girl! Are you trying to scar her for life?"

There was a brief pause.

Then an even angrier voice blasted through.

My brother Charles Saunders, the oncologist, didn't pull any punches.

"Emily, delete that comment and apologize to Chloe. Now!

"And you'd better give all the heirlooms Mom left you to Chloe!

"Otherwise, if she sheds one more tear, I'll make sure your little brat bleeds a whole pint more during her next chemo!"

Before, I would've compromised for Lily's medical bills and treatment.

But now, I held Lily close, her body growing cold in my arms.

My voice came out flat, emotionless. "Charles, we're no longer siblings. My daughter won't need your treatment anymore."

Charles switched to speaker.

My words echoed through the line, and Richard heard everything.

"Emily! Have you lost your mind? Just because you won't apologize to Chloe, you're putting our kid's life on the line?" he yelled.

Facing his accusation, I didn't waver.

"Richard, I want a divorce. Go be with Chloe. That's my apology to her."

The fireworks painted the night sky in brilliant colors, but all I felt was emptiness.

As the explosions echoed above, my call was cut off.

No one was left to answer my despair.

*****

When Lily died, her appearance was unsettling—nothing like the living.

No taxi or bus would take us.

I carried her body on my back halfway across the city.

Finally, after that endless walk, I found a funeral home.

Sitting in the farewell hall, I slumped over Lily's body, tears streaming down my face.

Funny—if I remembered right, today was actually my 27th birthday.

So much for celebrating, huh?

Before I turned 22, I was the daughter of the richest man around, living a dream life.

My parents adored me, always putting me first.

My brother Charles gave up his business dreams and switched to medicine because I was always sick.

And Richard, my fiancé—my parents had supported him since we were kids. He was completely devoted to me.

On my 22nd birthday, I sat alone in the middle of my massive party.

I had a positive pregnancy test in my purse, ready to surprise everyone.

I kept calling, hoping someone would pick up—but all I got was devastating news. My parents had been killed in a terrible car accident.

Chapter 1

My daughter Lily Grant's final wish was to go to Disneyland.

I scrimped and saved from my CEO husband's 70 dollars monthly allowance for six months.

After all that effort, I finally got two discounted tickets.

Then the nanny started sulking.

She whined, "Must be nice being a rich kid. Just say the word and off you go to some fancy theme park.

"Me? I'm barely 19 and already breaking my back working for other people."

Both my brother and my husband immediately felt sorry for her.

They snatched away my tickets and cut off mine and Lily's living expenses for an entire year.

Then they ganged up on me. "Spoiled girls just turn into gold-diggers. I'm not leaving my money to some little gold-digger."

I couldn't let Lily die with regrets.

So I sold the diamond bracelet Mom left me and bought tickets for her dream trip.

When I finally got back to Disneyland's gates, carrying Lily as her life slipped away, I was determined to make her dream come true.

But the staff said two rich guys had reserved the entire park for the day. No one else could enter.

In the end, Lily died with her dream unfulfilled.

Then I saw a photo on social media—the nanny posed between my husband and brother, all three beaming in front of the Disney castle.

Her caption read: [Nothing hits like being their favourite!]

[I just mentioned Disneyland and they reserved the entire park for me!]

*****

As fireworks burst across the night sky at Disneyland, my tears dried up.

With shaking hands, I commented on the nanny's post from a minute ago.

[Wishing you three a lifetime together, never apart.]

Less than three minutes later, my phone buzzed.

The same number that had blacklisted me when the staff turned me away at the gate.

Now they were calling.

My heart sank.

But I stayed calm and picked up.

My husband, Richard Grant, exploded with rage, just as I'd expected.

"Emily! How could you be so cruel? Slut-shaming an innocent girl?"

"Because of your snide comment, Chloe thinks she's done something horrible! She won't stop crying!

"She's just a sweet, innocent girl! Are you trying to scar her for life?"

There was a brief pause.

Then an even angrier voice blasted through.

My brother Charles Saunders, the oncologist, didn't pull any punches.

"Emily, delete that comment and apologize to Chloe. Now!

"And you'd better give all the heirlooms Mom left you to Chloe!

"Otherwise, if she sheds one more tear, I'll make sure your little brat bleeds a whole pint more during her next chemo!"

Before, I would've compromised for Lily's medical bills and treatment.

But now, I held Lily close, her body growing cold in my arms.

My voice came out flat, emotionless. "Charles, we're no longer siblings. My daughter won't need your treatment anymore."

Charles switched to speaker.

My words echoed through the line, and Richard heard everything.

"Emily! Have you lost your mind? Just because you won't apologize to Chloe, you're putting our kid's life on the line?" he yelled.

Facing his accusation, I didn't waver.

"Richard, I want a divorce. Go be with Chloe. That's my apology to her."

The fireworks painted the night sky in brilliant colors, but all I felt was emptiness.

As the explosions echoed above, my call was cut off.

No one was left to answer my despair.

*****

When Lily died, her appearance was unsettling—nothing like the living.

No taxi or bus would take us.

I carried her body on my back halfway across the city.

Finally, after that endless walk, I found a funeral home.

Sitting in the farewell hall, I slumped over Lily's body, tears streaming down my face.

Funny—if I remembered right, today was actually my 27th birthday.

So much for celebrating, huh?

Before I turned 22, I was the daughter of the richest man around, living a dream life.

My parents adored me, always putting me first.

My brother Charles gave up his business dreams and switched to medicine because I was always sick.

And Richard, my fiancé—my parents had supported him since we were kids. He was completely devoted to me.

On my 22nd birthday, I sat alone in the middle of my massive party.

I had a positive pregnancy test in my purse, ready to surprise everyone.

I kept calling, hoping someone would pick up—but all I got was devastating news. My parents had been killed in a terrible car accident.