Chapter 3

It didn't take long before I stumbled across Riley's social media account. She had checked into a hotel.

David was there, helping her set up her room.

She posted: [Thank you for being by my side when I needed it most.]

That was the first time the thought of divorce crossed my mind.

"Don't touch me. Mommy didn't lie. Mommy is a good mommy."

Lily hated Riley just as much as I did.

Weak as she was, she still shoved Riley away with everything she had.

A grown woman, toppled by a little girl's shove. She actually went down.

Riley turned to David with a wounded look. "Captain, maybe I shouldn't be here. I'll go. I'll leave right now."

The sight of Riley in tears sent David into a fury. He exploded at Lily. "I told you not to be rude to Ms. Lane! Do you want me to punish you? Is that what you want?

"Did your mother teach you this? I'm so disappointed in you."

David shook his head at Lily, then picked her up and left her out on the balcony.

"Sit out here and think about what you've done. You can come back inside when you're ready to behave."

Lily didn't beg. She just clutched the toy bear I'd given her and turned her back to David.

Once the balcony door clicked shut, I saw the tears fall.

"Mommy, where are you? I miss you so much. Mommy, Daddy's changed. He's punishing me because of Ms. Lane, but she was the one who said mean things about you. Mommy, I miss you so, so much."

Listening to Lily's voice grow weaker with every word, I paced in circles, frantic.

She had just been rescued from the sea. David knew all of this, and yet he didn't spare a single thought for Lily's condition.

If she kept sitting out there in that wind, she was going to get sick.

"You bastard, that's your daughter!" I rushed to David. "You're torturing your own child. Do you even realize that?"

But there was nothing I could do. David couldn't hear a word I said.

All he could see, all he cared about, was Riley.

"Captain, the rescue operation is pretty much wrapped up. When are we heading back?"

"Not until we find Sarah."

I sneered, "I've been dead for days! Stop looking for me! David, if you have any shred of decency left, bring Lily inside and let her rest."

I screamed until my throat was raw. It didn't make a difference.

I didn't even know what I was holding on for anymore.

What was the point? I was dead. What could I possibly change?

All I felt was hate. Hatred at my own helplessness.

If I had divorced David sooner, maybe my Lily wouldn't have had to suffer like this.

David poured every drop of tenderness and sweetness he had into Riley.

After Riley fell asleep, David left. He didn't even glance at Lily.

All I could do was watch. I watched as Riley opened her eyes, walked out to the balcony, and dumped a basin of water over Lily.

Lily had been drifting off to sleep. The cold water jolted her awake.

Riley sneered down at Lily, "Your mom's dead. Why don't you go join her? Just jump off and you'll find her."

Lily stared up at Riley, confused, not understanding. "Do you know where my mommy is?"

Riley glanced out at the dark ocean. "She's long gone. Jump off and you'll find her. Go on."

The second I realized what Riley was trying to do, I shook my head desperately at Lily.

But Lily stood up anyway. She peered over the railing. "Mommy's out there?"