Chapter 3
Over the past six months, Elliott kept telling me how jealous he was of Alex, who always got Leonel's attention.
He even asked me, "Mom, is it because I'm not good enough that Dad doesn't love me?"
Every time he said that, I'd reassure him, "It's not that Dad doesn't love you. He just doesn't know how to show it."
Elliott might be young, but he was not clueless. Whenever I tried to comfort him, he'd say, "Mom, I'm not a kid anymore."
After that, Elliott grew quieter, and every time he saw Leonel being nice to Alex, he'd look at them with such longing in his eyes.
Therefore, even though I knew there was no future for Leonel and me, I still wanted to give it a shot for Elliott's sake.
If I'd known that this tiny bit of hesitation would cost Elliott his life, I would have taken him and left without a second thought.
I realized it too late.
Just thinking about it, I couldn't hold back my tears anymore.
As my sobs grew louder, however, Lillian just laughed, totally unfazed by my tears.
Seeing her gloating, I clenched my fists, my eyes blazing with anger. "Lillian, quit trying to pin your son's illness on mine. Elliott may be gone, but I won't let you drag his name through the mud."
I shoved her aside, snatched the wheelchair back, and just managed to get Elliott into it.
Suddenly, the elevator chimed again.
The moment the doors slid open, Lillian rushed over, acting all innocent as she threw herself at the person inside.
Then I saw the face I loathed.
It was Leonel.
His eyes burned with fury, his face stone cold.
He said, "Silvia, that's enough. You manipulated me into marrying you, then you pulled some dirty moves to get pregnant with my child, and now you dare to touch Lillian.
"Did you not hear a word I said?"
I couldn't believe that even now, he still thought I was some manipulative bitch.
For this completely useless man, I ended up watching him let our child die.
What did I ever see in him?
I was just too stupid back then.
"Leonel, from this moment on, I want nothing to do with you," I said. "I'll sign the divorce papers."
Leonel looked stunned, his mouth opening like he was about to say something, but Lillian jumped in.
"Leonel, she's just playing hard to get," Lillian said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "How could she ever let go of a catch like you?"
Leonel's gaze, which had just softened for a moment, iced over in a heartbeat.
He said, "Silvia, I've told you before. Don't play these games with me. No wonder Elliott picked up bad habits. He had you teach him."
My eyes filled with tears as I stared at him.
How did he even have the nerve to say that?
Ever since Elliott was born, he never truly saw him or bothered to hold him once.
And as Elliott grew up, he never let him call him "Dad".
"Leonel, you're no longer Elliott's father," I shouted. "From now on, he won't ever need you again."
Right now, all I could think about was getting Elliott away from here, so these toxic people and their filth wouldn't stain him.
However, as I was passing by, Lillian suddenly piped up, her voice all sweet and fake. "Leonel, Alex is still so frail, and he really needs the wheelchair. There's only one here in the whole hospital.
"I know I shouldn't take it away from Elliott, but—"
Hearing that, Leonel stormed over and hauled Elliott out of the wheelchair without a word.
Seeing Elliott nearly topple over, I rushed forward and caught him in my arms.
How could Leonel do this?
I stared at him, eyes red and brimming with tears.
That wheelchair was all Elliott had left to hold onto his dignity.
Didn't he see? Elliott was already gone.
How could he not even let Elliott keep his dignity after he was gone?
My eyes burned red as I stared at him. This time, I didn't waste a single word. I just raised my hand and slapped him.
I said, "Leonel, Elliott is dead. This wheelchair is the only way he can go home. You're his father, but not only did you let him die, but now you're even taking away his last shred of dignity.
"You don't deserve to be a father."