A man who looked like the leader walked over with a sinister grin.
“Let us go! I already called the police. They’re on their way!”
“Heh, in this line of work, do you think I’m afraid of that?”
One of his men kicked me, knocking my phone away. I fell hard onto the ground. Lily sobbed, begging them not to hurt me, but they ignored her.
Soon the mob surged forward. They punched and kicked me until I passed out.
When I woke again, I thought I was in heaven. The smell of antiseptic filled the air, and the ceiling was white as snow. I pinched myself.
“Am I… in a hospital?”
I looked at my legs in disbelief. They were broken, hanging in casts.
“I… I didn’t die? I’m in a hospital? But where’s Lily?”
Panicked, I looked around, but everything was quiet. Midnight.
Then I heard whispers from the next room:
“Daddy, just because Mommy didn’t give Aunt Sarah the parking spot and caused her death, you’re getting revenge? You made me pretend to be kidnapped, then lured Mommy here so she’d get her leg broken, and now she’ll walk with a limp forever?”
“What about Mommy’s daily life?”
Ethan’s voice was cold:
“She only lost a leg. Sarah lost her life. If it weren’t for Emily’s lack of compassion, if she hadn’t coldly refused that spot, Sarah would still be alive. Besides, don’t you like Aunt Sarah too? Aren’t you glad she cared for you?”
Lily’s voice was trembling with tears:
“Yes… Aunt Sarah was so kind. Mommy’s so heartless. Aunt Sarah always bought me burgers. She was sweet. Mommy just forces me to eat broccoli. She’s too controlling.”
My blood ran cold.
So it was all fake. The kidnapping, the danger—an act. My own daughter pretended to be kidnapped, all to punish me for Sarah’s death.
When the police came to take my statement the next day, Ethan and Lily kept up their act of being a loving husband and daughter.
“Officer, in broad daylight, my daughter was kidnapped and my wife’s leg broken. I demand justice. These criminals must be caught!” Ethan said solemnly.
“It’s all my fault, officer,” Lily cried. “If I hadn’t been so naughty, those men wouldn’t have taken me, and Mommy wouldn’t be hurt like this.”
The officer patted her head gently. “Don’t worry, little one. We’ll make sure justice is served.”
After they left, Ethan took my hand.
“Feeling better, Emily? I’m sorry. My phone died. If it hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been hurt like this.”
Looking at his fake concern made me sick.
“I don’t care anymore whether you answered my call.”
“Let’s just get divorced. Tomorrow morning, County Clerk’s Office.”
Both Ethan and Lily froze.
“What? You’re in this condition and still want a divorce? Who’s going to take care of you?” Ethan asked, shocked.
