Chapter 2
At that moment, my hatred for Darian was almost at its breaking point.
While he was carefully looking after his first love's daughter, letting her experience the warmth of a father's love, my own child lost her life because help didn't arrive in time.
If only Darian had called for help a little sooner after receiving the call, perhaps Lilith wouldn't have died.
Swallowing my grief, I dialed Darian's number once more.
No one answered. I called again and again, refusing to give up.
At last, he picked up.
I said, "Darian, Lilith was in a car accident. She's gone. If you still care about her as your daughter, then…"
"What are you talking about? I don't understand," came a young, innocent voice.
The childish voice on the other end pierced my heart like a sharp blade.
I struggled to calm myself and said, "Let Darian answer the phone."
Grace replied, "Mr. Blackwell can't come to the phone right now. He's in the kitchen making dinner for me and Mom.
"Auntie, I moved up three spots in my exams this time. Mr. Blackwell said I'm really awesome.
"He even said I'm much better than Lilith. I'm smarter and more well-behaved, not like her, who always lied."
My composure shattered. I yelled, "Shut up. Put him on the phone."
Grace burst into tears from my outburst, and I could hear commotion on the other end.
"Fiora, what's wrong with you? You've scared Grace," Darian snapped.
"Lilith is dead. She's gone. That stupid daughter you always talk about is dead. Is that what you wanted?" I screamed.
Darian was stunned for a moment, then exploded. "Fiora, what nonsense are you spouting? Are you lying to me, too, just like Lilith?
"What kind of mother are you? Lilith's grades dropped because of you.
"If I hadn't been strict with her all these years, with how dumb she is, do you really think she could've made it into the advanced class?
"I'm warning you both. Don't try any tricks on me. Instead of pretending to be dead to fool me, maybe you should focus on why your grades are tanking. So you don't embarrass me again next time."
"Pretending to be dead just to trick you?" I laughed angrily, unable to believe it. "Darian, Lilith is your own daughter. How could you say something so heartless about her?"
"I'm a teacher, of course I know how to raise kids. You're not even a professional. So what gives you the right to judge me?" Darian said impatiently. "I'm hanging up. I'm not coming home tonight."
"Darian!" I screamed. "Are you deaf? I told you Lilith is dead. She's gone. Can't you hear me? She got hit by a car and died."
"Stop pretending. I don't buy it. Who are you trying to fool?" Darian shot back.
With that, he hung up right away.