Chapter 2

Celine POV

When Liam pushed the door open, I was still sitting by Lily's bed.

He didn't look at the death certificate first, nor at Lily. He just placed a document on the bedside table.

"The hospital will review everything again." He said. "I'll add more money to Lily's fund."

I looked up. "Lily is dead."

His hand paused.

"If Sutton had missed this chance, she would have died too." His voice lowered. "I had to save the person in more critical danger first."

"She waited three years." I stared at him. "You gave away the chance she waited three years for to someone else?"

Liam didn't answer. He just pushed the document forward again.

The paper read "Lily Medical Fund," with a line showing the new amount below. It was a lot of money, enough to save many children's lives.

I looked at that string of numbers and suddenly remembered the night Lily was born.

Liam had waited outside the delivery room until dawn.

After Lily was diagnosed, he had also kept watch in the hospital room, asking the doctors over and over if they could find a donor.

Back then, every time Lily asked when Daddy was coming, I would say he was busy.

Now, with the same hand, he had given away the donor liver Lily had been waiting for to someone else.

The sound of a wheelchair came from the doorway.

Sutton was pushed to the doorway by a nurse. Her face was as white as paper, still connected to post-surgical equipment. As soon as she saw me, tears fell.

"Celine, I'm so sorry. I really didn't think Lily would..."

Before she could finish, she covered her wound and gasped lightly.

Liam immediately walked over. "Who told you to come here?"

Sutton shook her head, tears hanging on her face. "People online are already cursing me, saying I stole a child's liver. I can take the abuse, but I don't want you to be affected too."

Liam's expression darkened immediately.

Mr. Davis followed behind, saying quietly. "Mr. Bennett, the media is already asking questions. We must give them an explanation."

Sutton grabbed Liam's sleeve. "Don't force Celine. I can take responsibility myself."

Liam turned to look at me.

"Tomorrow at the press conference, you'll come forward to clarify." He said. "Say that transferring the donor organ was a decision discussed among family members. Sutton didn't steal anything. Lily's condition deteriorated."

I looked at him. "You even want to cover up how Lily died?"

Liam's voice turned cold. "If you make a scene now, Lily's death certificate will be held up at the hospital."

Mr. Davis immediately added. "The body is still at the hospital. If the paperwork gets stuck, the child can't leave. Your mother is also elderly. The media attention will affect her."

I looked sharply at Liam. "You're threatening me?"

Liam looked at me. "I'm reminding you not to let Lily be gossiped about even after death."

Sutton said softly. "Liam, forget it. Celine just lost her child. It's normal for her to hate me..."

She urged him to drop it, but her hand never let go.

My phone rang at that moment.

The caregiver's voice trembled with panic. "Miss Ashford, your mother found out about Lily. Her blood pressure spiked. The doctor says she can't take any more shocks!"

I gripped my phone, looking at the small body on the hospital bed, then at the people outside waiting for my agreement.

I finally spoke. "I'll cooperate."

Liam visibly relaxed and reached out to support me.

I moved away.

He didn't take offense. He just told his assistant. "Give her access to the fund, and transfer some hospital shares from my name to hers."

The assistant nodded and immediately called the legal department.

I looked up. "Get everything done today."

Liam thought I was finally willing to accept compensation and agreed.

The lawyer arrived at the hospital quickly.

Liam sat at the signing table. Legal staff handed documents to his side. I didn't explain. I just had the lawyer place the divorce page behind the compensation documents.

Sutton sat nearby, reminding him quietly. "Liam, will the Bennett Corporation have an opinion about this?"

Liam frowned. "She lost Lily. She deserves these things."

I took back the signed documents and handed them to the lawyer.

The lawyer said quietly. "The first step is complete."

Liam heard this and briefly looked at me.

I had already turned around to tuck in the blanket corner for Lily.

That evening, the hospital sent over the press conference script.

One sentence stood out most sharply.

"Ms. Celine Ashford approves this donor adjustment."

I crossed it out with my pen.

Mr. Davis stood beside me and reminded me. "The media will be there tomorrow, and other families will be present too. Miss Ashford, don't cause us trouble."

I didn't answer him. I just took a photo of the signed document and sent it to Luke.

Luke replied quickly.

"Leave the hospital first."

The nurse knocked on the door at that moment and delivered the seating chart for tomorrow's press conference.