Chapter 3

Some time later, as I was settling Lilith down to sleep, Calvin came back, to my surprise.

Lilith was still on an IV, but her eyes lit up the moment she saw her father.

Calvin was always busy. Ever since Ella and her son had turned up, Lilith had barely seen him.

At home, she was always asking whether her dad would be back that night. Sometimes she stayed in the living room waiting for Calvin, refusing to go to bed no matter how sleepy she was.

He had never once come home in time...

Calvin glanced at me, then went to the bedside and gently stroked Lilith's head. "Does it still hurt, Lilith?"

Lilith shook her head. "Not when Daddy and Mommy are here."

Calvin looked even guiltier. In a gentle voice, he promised, "All right. I'm not going anywhere tonight. I'll stay right here and tell you your favorite bedtime story. Would you like that?"

Lilith held on to his sleeve and asked nervously, "Really? You promise?"

"I promise." Calvin smiled and kissed her forehead.

He gathered her into his arms, patted her back, and told her the story softly.

As I watched them, something in me ached.

Lilith asked for so little. She missed her father all the time and treasured even a moment in his arms.

But she had no idea he'd already given all his time and patience to Ella and Felix.

While the two of them were playing, the door opened.

Ella stood there out of breath. "Calvin, Felix woke up and couldn't find you. Now he's smashing things. I can't stop him!"

Calvin got up without hesitating and peeled his daughter off him.

"Lilith, Daddy has to step out. I'll be right back."

Lilith panicked. She clung to his sleeve, her eyes pleading. "Daddy, you just promised! You said you weren't going anywhere tonight, that you'd stay with me..."

Calvin tried to stay patient. "Your brother Felix is sick and he's having a hard time. Daddy is going to check on him. Be good for me."

"No! I'm sick too, and I'm hurting too!" She was crying now, grabbing for his wrist. "Daddy, don't go. Please don't go to them, okay?"

"Lilith!" He brushed her hand away, his voice cold. "Felix is having a breakdown. This is serious. Stop being so difficult!"

Lilith stared at her hand and bit down hard on her lip. Her thin shoulders shook violently.

Calvin didn't notice any of it. He followed Ella out without looking back.

It broke my heart to see her so hurt. I went over and pulled her into my arms to comfort her.

After a long while, she mumbled, "Mommy, I want my bunny."

It was a birthday present from Calvin, her favorite toy. She could only fall asleep with it in her arms. She always said holding it was like having her father there.

"All right. Mommy will go home and get it." I set aside my own hurt and drove straight back to the house.

I searched her room for half an hour, but the rabbit was nowhere to be found.

The housekeeper finally told me what had happened, stumbling over her words. "Mrs. Lennox, when Mr. Lennox came home this afternoon to change, Ms. Vance was with him. She said the stuffed rabbit was cute and took it. He didn't stop her..."

My stomach dropped.