Chapter 2

In my past life, right before Anny died, she kept asking, "Why doesn't Dad want me? Why won't he take care of me?"

I lied to her, "Dad is treating other patients. He'll come see you once he's finished."

But Jolsen never showed up, not even when Anny took her last breath.

Later, I found out it was Jolsen and Keira's wedding night.

In this life, I wouldn't ever let Anny wonder about that again.

The next afternoon, Jolsen came back.

He was carrying a cake, with Keira following close behind.

Keira walked in, her face full of apology, holding a small cake in her hands.

"Nelin, Anny, I came to say sorry."

"I messed up that day and ended up scaring Anny. I got this cake for her. Hope she's not mad at me."

Anny just stared at me, not moving.

I nodded to her, and she finally whispered, "Thank you."

Jolsen smiled with satisfaction. "Yeah, Anny's such a good girl now."

Keira walked over with a smile and offered the cake to Anny.

"Here, Anny, let me help you open it. This cake is really delicious."

She leaned in closer, and Anny instinctively shrank back a bit.

Just then, Keira let out a startled cry, and the cake dropped from her hands onto the floor.

She stumbled backward, bumped into the corner of the coffee table, and fell to the floor.

"Ouch, it hurts," she whimpered, clutching her waist as tears welled up in her eyes.

Jolsen hurried over. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Keira's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at Anny and was about to say something.

"It's... it's nothing. I just wasn't steady on my feet. Please don't blame Anny."

Jolsen's gaze instantly turned cold as he looked at Anny.

"Anny! Why did you push Keira?"

Anny froze, her face going pale. "I... I didn't push her!"

"If you didn't push her, how else could she have fallen?"

Keira immediately reached out and took Jolsen's arm.

"Jolsen, it's okay, just let it go. She didn't do it on purpose."

"It was probably just an accident, don't blame her. I'm really fine, really."

She tried to get up, but winced and clutched her waist again, her face turning pale.

Jolsen looked even more pissed off.

He glared at me, disappointment and anger written all over his face.

"Nelin, is this what you teach your kid? She pushes someone and then pretends nothing happened?"

I kept my cool and said, "Anny says she didn't push her. I believe her."

"She just backed away and never even touched Dr. Keira."

Keira's tears streamed down even harder. "Nelin, I know you don't like me, but you can’t falsely accuse me like this, can you?"

"Why would I fall on purpose just to set up a child?"

Still holding her waist, she struggled to stand, but nearly lost her balance, and Jolsen rushed over to steady her.

"Hold on, don't move. I'll take you to the hospital."

Then he gave me a cold, disappointed look. "Nelin, you've really disappointed me."

"Keira came here to apologize, and is this how you and your daughter treat her?"

Anny finally burst into tears. "I'm not lying! I really didn't push her!"

I pulled her into my arms, gently patting her back.

"I know."

Jolsen let out a cold laugh. "Go ahead, keep babying her!"

As he was helping Keira out, he paused at the doorway and turned to me.

"Nelin, after Keira's been examined, she'll send you the bill."

"Anny pushed her, so you and your daughter are responsible for her injuries."

The moment the door slammed shut, Anny was crying her heart out in my arms, barely able to breathe.

I hugged her tighter and whispered, "Don't cry, Anny. Mommy will always believe you."

That night, after Anny fell asleep, I sat by her bed, gazing at her small, peaceful face.

This time, I would make sure I'd protect my daughter with everything I have.

For the next few days, Jolsen didn't come home, and he didn't even bother to call.

Keira was relentless, though. Every day, she sent photos showing off Jolsen cooking for her at her place.

[He said he wants to help me get better, so I can recover faster. I'm really touched.]

I saw Jolsen in an apron in the photo, and it instantly reminded me of the old days when he used to cook for me.

Back then, I had just found out I was pregnant with Anny, and the morning sickness was so bad I couldn't eat anything.

Every day after finishing his surgeries, he'd rush home, cook up all sorts of porridge, making different dishes in various ways.

One time, he made sweet and sour ribs, but I only managed two bites before I threw up. He was so anxious, pacing around the room.

"Nelin, just tell me what you want to eat. I'll go buy it for you."

I told him I wanted that brand of candy he used to buy for me back in high school.

He paused for a moment, then smiled.

He ended up running all over the city, just to track down that old brand of candy that had been out of production for years.

Eating that candy, it felt like my whole world was filled with sweetness.

Back then, I honestly believed he'd always treat me this way forever.

But once Keira came into the picture, everything turned upside down.

Back in my previous life, every time I saw those photos of Keira and Jolsen together, I'd get so mad I could barely hold it together, and I'd call him just to argue.

The more we fought, the more annoyed he got with me, and the more distant he became.

But now, I was done with all the drama. I just didn't want to fight anymore.

When I didn't reply, Keira sent over another pic. This time, it was her and Jolsen side by side on the same bed.