Chapter 4

It was almost noon, and I was sure Ethan wasn't coming today.

I pulled myself together and took Mia to Wonderland Park on my own.

Since it was Saturday, the lines were crowded.

When we were riding the carousel, there was a family of three right in front of us.

The dad held his child as they rode the horse, while the mom stood nearby, taking pictures.

"Sweetie, look at the camera," the mom called out.

"You're awesome, sweetie. So brave," the dad said.

As I listened to their words, I noticed Mia's eyes growing misty.

Mia's tiny silhouette seemed even more forlorn.

I gently stroked her hair, hoping it might comfort her a little.

"Mommy, I don't want to play anymore. Can we go home? I want to eat your cake," Mia said softly.

Mia gripped my hand tightly, and we walked in silence all the way to the intersection.

As we waited for the light, she gave me a sad, pleading look. "Mommy, does Daddy not want me anymore?"

I had no idea how to answer her.

While I was silent, my phone suddenly rang. It was Ethan.

I tried to compose myself, forcing a smile. "Of course not, sweetie. Daddy's calling you. Here, you answer it."

Mia's eyes, which had been so dim, instantly lit up with hope.

I could finally breathe easy. Even if Ethan couldn't be here in person, a phone call was still a comfort.

A few seconds leater, Mia handed the phone back to me.

Before I could process what was happening, Ethan's anxious voice came through the line. "Olivia, hurry up and bring that dress I gave Mia the other day to the hotel.

"Anna's performance outfit accidentally got dirty, and the competition's starting soon. You've got just two hours."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. "You want me to hand over Mia's birthday gift to Monica's kid? Ethan, have you completely lost it?"

Maybe my outburst caught Ethan and Monica off guard, because after a few seconds of silence, a woman's shaky, tearful voice came through the line.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Chase. The dress Anna wants is sold out everywhere in town, and Ethan managed to get these two only by ordering a month ahead.

"Please, I'm begging you. Once this is over, I swear I'll buy Mia a brand new one," Monica pleaded, her voice trembling.

In that moment, I finally understood why Ethan gave Mia her birthday gift ahead of time.

I'd thought he got the wrong size for Mia by accident, but now I realized it was just something he threw in.

Any hope I had for him was gone. Mia was where I drew the line.

I took a deep breath and tried to steady myself. "Today, I'm celebrating Mia's birthday with her. You'll have to find another way."

The anxious voice on the other end faded into soft sobbing.

Ethan grabbed the phone from Monica and yelled at me, "Olivia, I can't believe you're being so cold. Wonderland Park isn't just open today.

"Anna could win first place, and the competition's going to be shown live on the big screen downtown. It's just a dress. Why are you being so petty?"

I hung up, numb. So, in Ethan's eyes, anything related to Monica was more important than me, even Mia.

The shock left me frozen on the sidewalk, unable to pull myself together for a long time.

I was so stunned that I didn't even realize when Mia yanked her hand free from mine.

"Daddy! Mommy, look, it's Daddy's car!" Mia shouted, her voice full of excitement.

I watched helplessly as Mia dashed straight into the traffic.

Screams, sobs, and blaring ambulance sirens assaulted my ears, drowning out everything else.

My mind was wiped clean.

When Mia, drenched in blood, was dragged into the operating room, the terror finally crashed down on me. I was about to lose my daughter for real.

The surgery lasted so long that night had fallen, and the city lights were already shining outside.