Chapter 1

Azalea was playing the piano in the study when suddenly the massive chandelier above her crashed down. I rushed over, frantic, trying to call for an ambulance, but it never arrived. I could only watch helplessly as my daughter's breath slowly faded away.

The grief was overwhelming, and I passed out, waking up in the hospital. Jude was there, tightly holding my hand, his eyes red and voice choked with emotion.

"Evangeline, your health is important. Don't worry, I will arrange a proper burial for Azalea so she can rest in peace."

I nodded and drifted back into sleep, yet my daughter's face haunted my thoughts. Somehow, I overheard Jude talking to his assistant.

"Mr. King, why did you have someone stop the ambulance? She was your daughter too..."

Jude laughed coldly, dismissively.

"I only wanted to ruin her hands; who knew that chandelier would fall perfectly on her head?"

"Dead is better. She wasn't supposed to be born anyway."

"Now no one can compete with Florence for that gold trophy. Eighteen years of raising her, and that's all she's good for."

My precious daughter, who was everything to me, was nothing more than a stepping stone in Jude's eyes! And what I thought was a marriage built on mutual love was the biggest lie of my life.

The assistant looked at Jude with some regret, but the damage was done, and he spoke softly.

"Mr. King, the payment has been sent to those people."

"Rest assured, during rush hour, the ones you hired caused a pile-up right in front of the ambulance. Your wife wouldn't suspect a thing."

Jude nodded in satisfaction.

"That's good. I promised Dorothy that Florence would win the gold."

"Who does Hadassah think she is, refusing to quit the competition? She said something about wanting a wish granted if she won the gold... If it weren't for Evangeline's health back then, I'd have found a way to terminate the pregnancy."

"But the outcome is the same. Evangeline hurt herself giving birth and can't have any more children. My one and only daughter in this life will be Florence."

I buried my face in my pillow, muffling my sobs. I had thought my daughter's fate was simply unfortunate, that she couldn't hold on until help arrived. But in truth, Jude had deliberately had the ambulance delayed, all for his beloved Florence, causing my daughter's unnecessary death.

In the prime of her life, at eighteen, Azalea was so close to achieving her dreams. Even in her agonizing final moments, she asked me, in pain and exhaustion, "Mom, if I die, will Dad be happier, and be nicer to you?"

"Mom, it hurts... I'm so tired..."

Her eyes slowly closed, her hand loosening to let a pink paper crane fall to the ground. I held her cooling body, crying out in anguish.

"Azalea! Azalea, just hold on a little longer, the ambulance is almost here, Azalea!"

"Azalea!"

I awoke from a nightmare, screaming, and Jude immediately set his laptop aside, gently pulling me into his arms, soothing me with soft words.

"Don't be afraid, Evangeline. I've arranged Azalea's funeral, and I've found a pastor to pray for her soul. Our little princess won't suffer any indignities."

"The doctor said you shouldn't be too upset. Once I'm done with work, I'll take you on a holiday, alright?"

I looked up at him. He appeared as gentle and caring as ever, even his eyes still showed the same affection for Azalea and me. But the bloodstained paper crane on the bedside table reminded me that Azalea was gone. Jude was the one responsible for her death.

I clenched my fists, catching sight of a blood-stained pink diamond brooch on the bed. It was Azalea's favorite possession, the only birthday gift Jude ever gave her. She carried it through countless competitions. I had asked her once, why this brooch, when I had bought her many accessories?

A little embarrassed, she snuggled into my arms.

"Others have both parents at their competitions. Dad can't come because he's busy, but this brooch is his birthday gift to me. Let's pretend it stands in for Dad at my competitions!"

Remembering her lively and playful manner, I felt a stab of pain in my throat and whispered through tears, "Let's bury the brooch with Azalea, as a keepsake."

Jude stiffened slightly, then gently ruffled my hair.

"Okay, let me know if there's anything else you'd like Azalea to have, and I'll make sure it's sent."

With my health stable, and wanting to oversee Azalea's funeral myself, I insisted Jude discharge me from the hospital. In the living room, a dress I'd ordered for Azalea still lay on the sofa. It was meant for her to wear at the finals, but she never got to try it on...

Tears overflowed, and Jude immediately instructed the housekeeper to pack away the dress. I choked back my emotions, stopping him.

"Let Azalea take it with her. She didn't get a chance to try it on, and there’s no point keeping it now."

Jude nodded, comforting me.

"Alright, whatever you wish. Let me know if there's anything else, and we'll send it with Azalea."