Chapter 3

Olivia strode up and slapped me hard across the face.

"You're such a materialistic woman. Of course you'd jump at the chance to keep Charlie around," she sneered.

"You seriously think you're made for the good life? Clean every frame spotless, and maybe I'll toss you a few bucks."

There were at least a hundred paintings here. Scrubbing all of them clean would eat up a whole day and night, at the very least.

I couldn't afford to waste that much time.

"Pay me first. When my daughter's feeling better, I'll come back," I said.

Olivia laughed mockingly.

"Someone like you could never compete with me. No wonder Charlie didn't fall for you, not even after seven years."

"Get on your knees and beg me. You spent all those years with Charlie instead of me. That really ticks me off."

I took a deep breath, got down on my knees, and begged her.

Tears streamed down my face, yet I kept begging her.

My head spun, and I was completely out of strength.

Thinking of my daughter gasping for air in the hospital, I forced myself to keep going.

I lost track of how many sorrys I said—I was completely numb.

Then, I heard that familiar, deep, magnetic voice.

"Liv, what are you doing?"

"I've told you before, I don't love her. There's no reason for you to be jealous."

When Charles saw me with tears streaming down my face and my lips ghostly pale, a hint of heartache and reluctance flashed across his eyes.

He wasn't even aware of it himself.

The first thing he did as he walked in was help me up, then he turned to explain to Olivia.

I choked back tears and gripped his hand like it was the only thing keeping me afloat.

"Please, just go check on Emma. She's in the emergency room right now. Her condition is critical," I begged.

Charles nodded almost without thinking.

Just as Charles was about to say something, Olivia stormed out in a huff.

She threw back a nasty parting shot.

"Seriously? Using your daughter's life just to reel him back in? That's cheap."

"If you choose to go with her, I'll find someone else to be my partner at my homecoming ball tomorrow. Don't even bother showing yourself around me ever again."

Charles immediately tried to grab Olivia, but she slipped right through his fingers.

Watching her leave, the usual calm on Charles' face shattered. Now, panic was written all over it.

He turned to me and handed me an extra credit card.

"Go pay the bill first. I'll be there in a minute," he said.

"Liv's just gotten back to the country. She doesn't know her way around at all. I'm really worried something might happen to her," he added.

I forced a bitter, self-deprecating smile.

"Don't bother explaining."

Now that I had the cash, what happened to him from here on out was no longer my concern.

All I wanted was to hurry back and save my daughter.

I rushed back to the hospital.

When I got there, I saw Emma being wheeled out of the ICU.

Her breathing was so weak, and it felt like she might vanish at any second.

I hurried over and grabbed her hand.

"Emma, don't sleep. Mommy has money now. I can save you, okay? Please, don't leave me," I cried, my voice shaking with desperation.

After so many rounds of treatment and dialysis, Emma was so weak that she could barely even speak.

Her eyes were red and puffy, and she looked up at me with a tiny, pitiful voice.

"Mommy, I really thought you weren't coming back. Where's Daddy?" she whispered.

When she saw the sadness in my eyes and the tears streaked across my forehead, my smart daughter immediately switched gears, trying to comfort me instead.

"It's alright, Mommy. We'll always be together—you and me, forever and ever."

"I'll be brave and listen to the doctors, I promise."

I couldn't help but wonder—how did my girl get so heartbreakingly thoughtful?

I managed a tearful smile and handed the credit card to the nurse.

But before even a minute had passed, the nurse came running back, her face full of worry.

"There's no money left on this card."

I couldn't believe it.

I tried calling Charles again, but he still wouldn't answer.

And then, out of the blue, Olivia sent me a message.

[I blew all the cash on a handbag ages ago. Charlie probably thinks there's still some left.]

[That's just gross. You couldn't wait to start spending the moment you got the card, huh?]

So I snapped a pic of the critical condition notice and sent it her way.

She replied: [You even fake stuff like this? You and your daughter are just manipulative. Hope you both drop dead.]