The moment Delilah and her daughter walked in, the storm cloud on Lucian’s face completely disappeared. His tense expression softened, his attitude turned calm again.
Perhaps he agreed with her words, because his voice turned cold but indifferent, “Sign the papers. I’ll cover your sister’s surgery costs. Once she recovers, I’ll find her a good man so she can marry well.”
Delilah stood quietly by his side, but when he wasn’t looking, she raised an eyebrow. A flash of smugness and provocation flickered in her eyes.
My last shred of reason snapped.
Like a madwoman, I lunged at her. “Delilah! Give me back my daughter and my sister’s life!”
But before I could even touch the edge of her sleeve, Lucian reacted swiftly, kicking me hard in the stomach.
“Ivy, you’re asking for death!”
His roar echoed throughout the house. Caught off guard, I fell to the ground, clutching my aching abdomen, trembling as I looked up.
Lucian didn’t even glance at me. Instead, he was anxiously checking Delilah, making sure she wasn’t hurt.
Not just her, he even bent down to check on Juliette.
In his eyes there was only the existence of this woman and her child. And I… I was nothing but air to him.
My heart sank to the deepest abyss.
Fragments of memories came rushing back, on our wedding day, when he swore an oath under the witness of family and friends: “Ivy, I will love, protect and cherish you for life. I will never allow anyone to hurt you, not even myself. If I ever break this promise, may the heavens strike me down.”
If those vows really worked, Lucian. You would’ve been struck by lightning long ago.
Delilah leaned weakly into his chest, her frail frame trembling, her soft voice filled with false tears. “I was so scared, Lucian. Thank goodness you were here. I really don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
Juliette blinked innocently, hugging Lucian’s arm tightly. Her childish voice carried exaggerated grievance, “Daddy… why was Auntie so scary? Mommy and I didn’t do anything wrong… why did she want to hit us?”
Lucian’s gaze instantly softened for them. He stroked Juliette’s hair lovingly, then turned back to me with eyes as cold as ice.
“Because she’s gone mad,” he said sharply. “Don’t waste your time on her.”
Then his gaze sharpened. “Stay home and think about it yourself, whether you sign or not, nothing will change.”
With that, he led Delilah and Juliette away, leaving me lying alone in the enormous living room.
***
I forced myself up, ignoring the pain in my stomach and stared at the closed door they had disappeared through.
My hands trembled uncontrollably as I grabbed my phone and booked the earliest flight for the next morning.
Lucian had already used all his connections to block me. Threatening every lawyer, making sure no one would dare accept my case. The lawsuit was stuck, but I couldn’t keep gambling with my sister’s life.
Lucian was desperate enough to do anything now.
I remembered, back when we were dating, how terrifying he could be.
Once, during dinner, a drunk man accidentally brushed against my hand. Lucian went crazy, grabbing a cleaver from the shop owner and hacking off the man’s arm right in front of me.
If the restaurant owner and I hadn’t stopped him, there would’ve been more than just one casualty that night.
Later, he hugged me, covered in blood, whispering sweetly, “Don’t be afraid, Ivy. I’m here to protect you. No one will ever dare bully you again.”
I used to think that was love. Now I knew it was nothing but madness.
***
Just after booking my flight, the hospital called.
The doctor informed me that Irene had made it through the critical stage and had been moved to a regular ward.
Joy surged through me. I changed clothes quickly and rushed to the hospital.
But when I arrived, the hospital bed was empty. My whole body turned cold, my legs frozen in place, my hands trembling violently.
Then my phone rang. It was Delilah.
Her voice, sharp and malicious, came through the speaker.
“Looking for your dear sister, huh? Come to this address.”
