Chapter 1

"Time's nearly up. Still no word from the girl's father?"

A staff member dressed in black spoke softly over the mournful music.

Samantha Granger, who had a vacant expression, looked up with swollen, tear-filled eyes. Celine Hamley's cold, lifeless body lay still among the wreaths.

She tried calling Calvin Hamley repeatedly, but his phone appeared to be switched off.

She stepped forward numbly and reached out to gently touch her daughter's face.

"Celine, shall we stop waiting?" Samantha murmured.

Even the experienced staff couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

"If he doesn't see her one last time, he'll regret it for the rest of his life. Why don't we wait a little longer?"

'Regret for the rest of his life?'

Samantha suddenly laughed.

"My daughter lay in the operating room and waited for his bone marrow to save her life, while he was out with his precious other daughter, setting off fireworks at a theme park. Do you really think he'll regret it?"

Tears rolled down her cheeks and landed on Celine's already rigid cheeks.

She hastily wiped them away.

Celine had suffered enough in this life. She wouldn't carry her mother's tears into the next life.

"Proceed with the cremation. We're done waiting."

-

Samantha chose the prettiest urn for her daughter. She even painted it herself.

Celine was afraid of the dark, so Samantha didn't use the black cloth provided by the funeral home. She wrapped it in her own jacket.

The early winter wind cut like knives against her skin, yet Samantha couldn't feel the cold. She numbly hailed a cab and got in before giving the driver the address.

The car sped from a quiet suburb into the bustling city center. The thriving streets came into view, yet all she felt was desolation. Her parents were gone. Her daughter was gone. There was nothing left in this world to hold onto.

Suddenly, fireworks burst into the sky and blinded her.

A pang of pain and bitterness shot through her.

She instinctively flinched, but she then saw that the LED screens lining the streets were all broadcasting a birthday celebration video.

The castle was decorated like a royal palace straight out of a Disney movie.

Rebecca Surrey, who was dressed in a white gown and a tiara encrusted with diamonds, rode a pumpkin-shaped carriage down the red carpet.

The dignified CEO of the Hamley family, full of doting affection, willingly played the coachman. He bent forward to help Rebecca from the carriage and guided her toward Yvonne Surrey waiting nearby.

They lit a ten-tiered customized cake together. After making her wishes, Rebecca joyfully planted kisses on their cheeks.

One could feel the happiness of this perfect family even through the screens.

Bam!

Another firework lit the night sky.

The driver was impressed.

"Such a different life. She's so lucky to be Mr. Hamley's daughter."

Samantha, who had bloodshot eyes, clutched the urn tightly in her arms. She felt heartbroken.

"Take the back streets," she said in a raspy voice. It almost sounded like she was pleading.

The driver froze after realizing where he had picked her up. He had spoken out of turn.

The festivity felt grotesquely out of place.

"I'm sorry. Please accept my condolences," he said before turning onto a side road to avoid the main streets.

The ride was rough, but no screens glared at her.

An hour later, the car stopped at Riverview Manor.

Samantha thanked the driver, took the urn, and stood under the streetlights. She stared at the home she had lived in for six years.

She thought she could still hear her daughter playing the piano from the music room on the third floor.

Celine had practiced diligently even when she was sick and weak. She always started sweating after a short session, but she persisted.

"Mom, if I win an international competition, will Dad finally like me?" Celine once asked.

Samantha sniffled. Her legs felt like lead as she made her way up to the music room.

She set the urn carefully on the bench, lifted the lid, and closed her eyes.

Her fingers pressed the keys, producing haunting melodies that tore through her painful memories and the raw wound in her heart.

She hadn't touched the piano since her parents' deaths, as it had been her inner demon.

But now, she wanted to play a solo piece for Celine.

It was the piece Celine had prepared for a competition. Samantha played it over and over until her fingers cramped and refused to move.

She sat there all night. The next morning, she descended the stairs in a ghastly manner. The sunlight hurt her eyes.

At this moment, a tall, handsome figure entered from outside. The morning sun backlit him, and his black coat trailed behind. Cold mist brushed the entryway as he stepped in.

It was Calvin. So he had finally shown up. Without even looking at her, he hung his coat up and asked coldly, "Celine hasn't woken up yet?"

Samantha sneered bitterly.

Celine had been dead for three days. Did Calvin finally recall he had another daughter after enjoying his time of leisure?

How pathetic!

Calvin hadn't expected this reaction. He looked up, and when he saw Samantha's face, his expression faltered for a moment before his brows furrowed.

What was this woman scheming now? Was she done playing the obedient wife?

He didn't care to think further.

"I left the morning meeting early to come back. Wake Celine up. I'm taking her to her piano class," he said.

When Samantha heard those words, she nearly collapsed in grief.

Celine had three lessons a week. It would always be at nine in the morning.

On weekdays, she never dared ask Calvin for a ride. Only on Saturdays did she timidly ask, but she was always refused.

As her condition worsened, the lessons were reduced from three times a week to one.

It was only before the surgery that Calvin finally agreed to take her once.

Celine had stayed up all night, excitedly put on her prettiest white dress, and was picked up by Calvin's assistant.

Samantha thought she would finally have a beautiful morning.

But by half past nine, the piano teacher called.

By the time Samantha arrived, Celine had already collapsed.

That's when she realized Calvin had ditched her. His assistant left her at the academy without even going upstairs.

Calvin would never understand. Celine's endless pleas were only because others teased her for not having a father.

She had just wanted him to show up once.

Not only did he miss her piano lesson, but he didn't even show up when she lay desperate on the operating table and waited for him to save her life.

Calvin could never understand the pain Samantha felt when Celine drew her final breath.

Samantha's bloodshot eyes were fixed on Calvin. Her voice was laced with hostility.

"Don't worry. You'll never need to again."

"What do you mean?" Calvin's irritation was clear.

He had been busy that day, and now this woman was putting on airs?

"I don't have time to waste. Bring her down."

Samantha snapped hysterically, "She's dead! Celine is already dead!"