Chapter 2

I knew it.

On my very first day of kindergarten, Mom had me memorize her and Dad's phone numbers.

She said if a stranger ever tried to take me away, I had to make sure to ask her and Dad first.

After I told Angela Dad's number, she called him right away.

Dad picked up right away, unless it was Mom calling.

I heard Dad ask, "Who is this?"

Angela quickly introduced herself and told him everything Allan said.

"You need to get to the hospital right now, or you could lose both your wife and your baby," she said urgently.

As soon as Angela finished speaking, I heard a chair crash to the floor on the other end of the line.

Dad blurted out, panicked, "Which hospital?"

Angela hadn't even told him the name of the hospital yet, when I heard someone else on the line. "Wait, Margaret's really in trouble? But I literally just saw her at the amusement park."

I knew that voice instantly. That was Lily's mom.

My mom's name was Margaret Grant, and Lily's mom was Helen Grant.

But Mom always said they weren't really sisters. Helen was just someone she used to help out as a student.

Mom really couldn't stand Helen, and she and Dad were always fighting about Helen.

After every fight, Mom would hug me tight, tears streaming down her face, and whisper that Helen was trouble, telling me to keep my distance from her.

But Dad always said Helen was so kind, and Lily was nothing short of an angel.

He'd buy Lily plush bears, cute little dresses, and even bake her little cakes just for her.

He never did any of that for me.

Mom always said Dad loved me.

But I knew deep down, he loved Lily more than he loved me.

Dad's furious voice jerked me back to reality.

The phone practically buzzed with his rage.

"Almost fell for your tricks. How much did Margaret pay you?" he barked.

Angela looked completely baffled. "What money?"

"Tell her to stop pretending. I got fooled once years ago, and I'm not buying it this time, no matter what," he snapped.

Angela sounded desperate. "Sir, if you don't do something, both patients will die."

Dad roared, "Then let them die. Leave me alone."

After the call ended, Angela was so furious that her eyes were practically brimming with tears.

But she managed to hold herself together and asked if I had anyone else's number that she could contact.

I dug out Uncle Anthony's number.

Maybe Dad had already warned Uncle Anthony about all this, because we couldn't get through at all.

Allan came over again, asking if we'd managed to reach anyone.

Angela explained she'd tried both numbers.

He was stunned. "What the hell, is there really a husband like that in this world?"

Angela tugged Allan's arm, signaling that I was still present.

He lowered his voice. "So, what now? No one's going to touch the surgery without a signature, and we can't move the baby boy either."

Angela paused for a moment. "I'll go talk to the director and see if we need to call the police."

Once she'd made up her mind, she led me to her break room.

She handed me a cup and brought over a pile of snacks.

She said she was going to save my mom and told me to wait here and not worry about a thing.

Then she grabbed her phone and rushed out.

But even so, I couldn't get Allan's warning out of my head.

"Even if we call the cops, the whole process takes five or six hours. These two probably won't make it three," he'd said.

Mom and my little brother only had three hours left.

Only Dad could save them now.

Once I realized what had to be done, I stood up from my seat.

I needed to find Dad. Night had already fallen.

Dad was probably at Lily's, celebrating her birthday.

I bolted out of the hospital, jumped into a cab, and headed straight for Lily's house.

When I got to the door, I knocked for ages before anyone finally answered.

When the door opened, Dad stared at me in shock.

"Alison, what are you doing here?" he asked, scooped me up, and glanced around. "Where's your mom?"

I wiped my tears. "Dad, please hurry to the hospital. Mom and my little brother only have three hours left."

His brows knitted together. "Did your mom put you up to this? Alison, since when did you learn to lie?"

I shook my head, sobbing. "I'm not lying."

"I knew your mom would find a way to mess with Lily's birthday. I'm taking you home right now," he said.

Dad carried me outside, pulling out his phone to call a cab.

I screamed in panic, "No, Dad. Mom and my little brother are really sick. They're at the hospital. The doctor said if you don't get there in three hours, they'll die."

My shouting drew Uncle Anthony and Helen out of the other room.

Uncle Anthony paused and then stepped in front of Dad. "Jasper, Alison's not a kid who makes things up. Why not just go see for yourself at the hospital?"

Dad looked down at me, looking torn.

Helen added, "Jasper, just go. If you're late, Margaret'll start sulking again."

Dad hesitated. "Well, I..."

"Dad, don't go." Lily came running out of her room and hugged his leg. "You promised you'd cook for me and spend my birthday with me. You're such a meanie. You are breaking your words."

I just stood there, speechless.

Wasn't Dad my dad?

When did he become Lily's dad?

Dad set me down and scooped Lily up instead. "My bad, princess. I'll whip up your favorite steak right now."

He marched straight back inside.

I tugged at his shirt. "Dad, what about Mom?"

"Dinner first," Dad said, his expression hardening. "We'll go after we eat."

Once inside Lily's place, Dad and Uncle Anthony headed straight for the kitchen.

Only then did I know Dad actually knew his way around the kitchen.

But there was this one time when Mom was sick and couldn't even get out of bed. She just wanted Dad to make her some sandwiches.

But Dad just brushed her off. "Can't you just order takeout? I'm raking in tens of thousands every minute. I don't have time for this."

So, it turned out Dad could cook after all.

He just didn't think Mom deserved it.

My chest felt tight and heavy.