I woke up coughing violently, the harsh scent of disinfectant filling my lungs. The white ceiling above me swam in and out of focus, and then I heard Adrian's voice beside the bed, gentle and familiar as if nothing had happened.
"You're awake. How are you feeling?"
I immediately sat up. The movement tugged painfully at the IV in my hand, but I ignored it.
"Charlotte!"
I yanked at the blankets, desperate to get out of bed.
Adrian quickly grabbed my arms and tried to ease me back onto the mattress.
"Relax. She's okay," he said softly. "Vanessa is watching her in the next room."
I shoved him away so hard that he took a step back.
"Get out."
The warmth on his face disappeared for a moment.
"Genn, I understand that you're upset, but James had been kidnapped. I didn't have another option."
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
"So your solution was to use my daughter in his place?"
Tears burned my eyes.
I reached for the glass on the bedside table and hurled it onto the floor.
It shattered at his feet.
"Get out, Adrian!" I shouted. "I never want to see you again!"
He stared at me for several seconds before sighing.
When he spoke again, his voice was gentle, almost patient.
"Do we really have to do this? You've been different ever since giving birth. You're emotional and unpredictable." He paused and rubbed his forehead. "Fine. I'll leave. Call me when you've calmed down."
The door closed behind him with a heavy thud, and the room fell silent.
I had barely taken a breath when the door opened again.
Vanessa walked in wearing a satisfied smile.
She was holding a document.
"Your daughter's in the nursery," she said casually. "Sign this agreement, promise never to see Adrian again, and I'll let you take her."
I lowered my gaze to the paper.
The clause was simple.
I would cut all contact with Adrian and never appear in his life again.
My fingertips slowly traced the words.
Then I looked up.
"You arranged your son's kidnapping yourself, didn't you?"
She simply raised an eyebrow.
"You really are smart."
She didn't even bother denying it.
"I just wanted you to understand something." She smiled. "In Adrian's heart, James and I are his real family. When he had to choose, he saved my son. The only people he cares about are us."
She leaned forward slightly.
"You can't beat me, Vivian."
I didn't answer.
Instead, I turned to the last page.
Then I signed my name.
...
When the nurse finally brought Charlotte back to me, I wrapped my arms around her tiny body and held her against my chest.
Only then did I let myself cry.
This little girl was everything I had left in the world.
Vanessa watched me quietly before sighing.
"You know, there was a time when I thought he genuinely loved you too."
I remained silent.
"Our first time together happened by accident. After that, he avoided me for months. It wasn't until I found out I was pregnant that he finally came back."
Every word felt like another knife being driven into my heart.
"But people change," she continued. "Maybe he loved you once, but now he loves me. I gave him a son. Your daughter could never compare."
She smiled faintly.
"Honestly, you're fortunate you were born into a good family. If our positions had been reversed, you wouldn't be any better than me."
I didn't even have the energy to argue.
My throat felt raw.
My chest hurt.
Even speaking seemed exhausting.
I left the hospital and went to the company one last time.
I reviewed everything related to the cancer treatment project.
As expected, Vanessa had hidden all evidence of her actions inside encrypted files. She had replaced expensive materials with inferior supplies and quietly pocketed the difference.
I looked down at Charlotte sleeping in my arms and held her a little tighter.
Karma didn't miss anyone forever.
Those files were ticking bombs.
I wondered whether Adrian would still be capable of protecting his greedy wife when everything finally exploded.
Then I picked up my phone and sent a message to the one man Adrian hated most.
I'm sorry for taking so long. I said I'd marry you, and I never go back on my word.
The reply came almost instantly.
Vivian, I've waited twelve years for this. No matter how long it took, it was worth waiting for.
I swallowed the lump rising in my throat.
Then I opened Instagram.
Vanessa had already posted another story.
James was wearing a birthday hat while Adrian and Vanessa kissed him on both cheeks.
The caption read:
Our little birthday boy turns seven today. Mom and Dad will always love you.
I stared at the screen.
A birthday gift.
Of course.
Adrian had been too busy celebrating with his real family.
My phone suddenly rang.
It was Adrian.
I answered.
"Genn, I had an urgent matter at the company, so I'll be home late tonight. When I get back, I'll register our daughter's household information and arrange the best doctors to treat her condition." His voice softened. "I love you, and I always will."
I nearly laughed.
Always love me?
When his own daughter needed him the most, he couldn't even spare her a bag of blood.
Charlotte shifted slightly in my arms.
I gently brushed the soft hair away from her forehead.
"Mommy's here, sweetheart," I whispered. "Don't worry."
Another message arrived.
Gen, don't be angry. Everything I've ever done has been for your sake. I promise I'll fix this. By the time I come home, everything will be all right again.
I stared at the message for a long time.
Then I laughed until my chest hurt.
Everything would be fine?
For whom?
For him?
For Vanessa?
For the little boy he would choose over our daughter every single time?
Certainly not for me.
And definitely not for Charlotte.
Without another thought, I blocked every way they could contact me.
Adrian.
Vanessa.
Every single person connected to them.
Then I switched off my phone and set it aside.
Outside the window, the airplane broke through the clouds and climbed higher into the sky.
I closed my eyes and never looked back.
