I swallowed my sorrow and immediately reached out to a doctor friend, desperate for even a sliver of hope for my daughter.
Just then, the door to the ward swung open, and Neil stepped inside.
His sharp eyes flicked to my phone screen, and he asked suspiciously,
"What are you looking at? Still worried about Stacy's condition?"
My heart clenched. I quickly locked my phone and forced a calm smile.
"I'm planning a birthday surprise for you in a few days."
The corners of his lips lifted as he kissed my cheek, his voice gentle.
"Lynda, it's really great to have you."
I sneered inwardly—his acting was impeccable.
He walked over to Stacy’s bed, stroking her face as he murmured,
"Don't worry. Leave Stacy to my medical team. She’ll recover for sure."
My emotions spiraled out of control, and before I could stop myself, I snapped,
"No! I won’t entrust my daughter to anyone!"
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them.
Neil’s expression darkened. "Lynda, don’t you trust me?"
Our eyes met, and I felt like I had plunged into an icy abyss. His seemingly gentle gaze hid chilling cruelty.
Just then, his assistant hurried in and whispered something in his ear. Though they spoke softly, I caught three distinct words—"Kay."
Moments later, I saw Kay rushing toward him, tears streaming down her face. Clutching Neil’s arm, she pleaded,
"Neil, Iris is in severe heart failure! The doctor said only Stacy is a match. Please save Iris!"
Neil’s expression twisted in frustration. "Where the hell is that bastard Jack?" he growled before nodding.
"Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Stacy donates her heart to Iris."
A triumphant glint flashed in Kay’s eyes, but she choked back a sob, whispering,
"Neil, you’re so kind. I knew you wouldn’t abandon us."
Hearing this, my blood ran cold.
He made my daughter stupid, and now he wanted to take her heart?
Suddenly, frantic cries echoed from the ward.
My stomach lurched, and I bolted inside.
Stacy was curled up in a corner, terror filling her wide eyes.
Iris clutched her chest dramatically, shrieking,
"This idiot tried to hurt me! She bumped into me on purpose and threw my medicine away!"
As she spoke, she stomped on the shattered pill bottle, crushing the medicine into dust.
Stacy shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face.
"No… I didn’t… I really didn’t…"
Neil stormed forward, his face livid as he bellowed,
"Iris’s health is already fragile, and you’re bullying her? Apologize now!"
Stacy looked up at him, her tiny body trembling.
"Dad… I didn’t do anything…" she sobbed desperately.
"Stop making excuses!" Neil snapped, his patience gone.
"If you won’t apologize, don’t expect me to care for you! I have no use for a stupid daughter!"
Stacy, who had always relied on Neil the most, crumbled.
With a broken cry, she clung to his legs, begging,
"Dad, I was wrong! I’ll apologize! I’ll kowtow to her if you want!"
She crawled toward Iris, her small body trembling, and slammed her forehead against the floor.
Watching my daughter being wronged and humiliated like this sent pure rage coursing through my veins.
I rushed forward, shielding Stacy as I yelled,
"It was Iris who bullied her! Stop blaming Stacy!"
Kay’s hand flew across my face in a stinging slap.
"Shut up! How dare you slander Iris? She’s sick—she’d never bully anyone!" she screeched.
Iris smirked, seizing the chance to sneer,
"You worthless bitch. You gave birth to a stupid daughter, and now you want to leech off us? You’re just jealous that I’m better than her!"
As she spat those words, she shoved me hard.
I crashed to the ground, a sharp pain tearing through my abdomen.
A warm, sickening liquid seeped from my lower body.
My mind went blank in horror.
